The balloon-borne capsule developed by Space Perspective won’t be shaped like the gumdrop we usually associate with that phrase in aerospace.
Today (July 27), a Florida-based business presented the pressurized capsule’s external design. If all goes according to plan, the pressurized capsule will start flying passengers to the stratosphere in only two years. It turns out that the spacecraft, called Spaceship Neptune, will be spherical.
According to business spokespeople, a spherical form enhances the panoramic views provided by the capsule’s windows, which will be the biggest windows to ever travel so high. Additionally, the base of the spaceship Neptune will have a custom “splash cone” that will soften and protect its ocean landings.
Spaceship Neptune capsule from Space Perspective as seen in an artist’s rendering in the atmosphere.
A huge balloon will launch the Spaceship Neptune spacecraft of Space Perspective into space. (Space Perspective provided the photo.)
In a statement released today, Taber MacCallum, co-founder, co-CEO, and chief technology officer of Space Perspective, stated, “The team has come together to design an unbelievably strong, secure, and wonderfully attractive and luxurious system for Spaceship Neptune.” “The keys to safety are automation and simplicity.”
Three months have passed since Space Perspective unveiled an inside rendering of the capsule. The interior of the spaceship Neptune will have facilities including a bathroom with a view and a “Space Lounge” with a telescope and interactive panels.
Spaceship Neptune as shown by an artist, with sunlight streaming through its large windows at morning.
At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida’s Shuttle Landing Facility, Space Perspective has started constructing the capsule. Commercial Spaceship Neptune flights are anticipated to start in late 2024 and have a capacity for nine passengers (eight passengers plus a pilot).
These flights will take off and land in around six hours. In order to give passengers a chance to see our tenuous atmosphere against the darkness of space, they will gently transport them up to a maximum altitude of roughly 100,000 feet (30,000 meters). Passengers on board the spaceship Neptune won’t truly go to outer space or experience weightlessness.
The inside of Spaceship Neptune from Space Perspective will be lavish.
— Space Perspective reveals the opulent inside of a tourist capsule carried by a balloon
– Space Perspective is taking reservations for flights in hot air balloons.
– Space Perspective intends to fly visitors in hot air balloons to the stratosphere.
According to officials for Space Perspective, approximately 900 individuals have purchased tickets for the capsule, which costs $125,000 each seat.
The business is up against Arizona-based World View, which intends to provide a comparable experience for $50,000 a seat, in the market for stratospheric tourism.
When compared to the rocket trips offered by the suborbital tourism businesses Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin, whose vehicles very briefly reach space, those balloon excursions will be significantly different. The cost of a seat on Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo spacecraft is presently $450,000; Blue Origin has not disclosed the cost of its New Shepard vehicle.
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