A luxurious capsule designed to transport passengers to the brink of space aboard a balloon was announced this week by Florida-based Space Perspective. The company showcased the completed Spaceship Neptune – Excelsior test capsule, signaling a significant advancement in space tourism.
Space Perspective intends to elevate the pressurized vessel to an altitude exceeding 100,000 feet using a massive “SpaceBalloon,” facilitating a gentle ascent. This unique experience will be available to up to eight passengers per journey, each paying $125,000 for a ticket. The voyage promises a premium food and beverage service, comfortable seating, and amenities, including custom headphones, ensuring an unparalleled journey.
The company has set ambitious goals, planning to commence flights for the over 1,750 current ticket holders to the edge of space in 2025. Furthermore, Space Perspective anticipates reaching 4,000 sold seats, translating to $400 million in bookings, by the end of this year.
Passengers, referred to as Explorers, will be treated to the luxury of the world’s first Space Lounge inside the capsule. This includes access to Wi-Fi, fine dining, plush seating, and luxury amenities offered by prestigious partners. A standout feature will be the panoramic views through the largest windows ever used in space travel, along with access to a “proper restroom” dubbed the “Space Spa.”
There are plenty of other distinct attributes of the Spaceship Neptune – Excelsior. The company emphasizes its spherical design for optimal interior space and the unmatched panoramic views of Earth it provides. The company is in the final stages of preparation for its SpaceBalloon and launch vessel, Marine Spaceport Voyager, as it prepares for upcoming test flights.
The test capsule, named Excelsior in tribute to the late balloon space-jump pioneer Joe Kittinger, is lauded as the largest spaceflight capsule ever constructed. Its 16 feet in diameter and pressurized volume of over 2,000 cubic feet surpass the capacity of space capsules from Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin, and SpaceX, promising a spacious and comfortable journey.
Taber MacCallum, co-founder of Space Perspective, reflected on the transformative potential of this venture. “We are on the cusp of a staggering shift—not only in how we humans experience space but in our perception of the spacecraft that will take us there,” he told reporters. “We are redefining the category and paving the way for accessible space travel for years to come.”
SWNS writer Dean Murray contributed to this report.
That looks like an awfully small space to have people cramped together and possibly going to the bathroom. One person with an upset stomach could stink up the entire capsule 😉 … but, what a view, and no big carbon footprint. How and where do they land though?