Space Perspective Lifts Space Tourism

June 25, 2021 – It was just a few weeks ago that someone plopped down $28 million for a ticket to ride into space on a Blue Origin rocket.  But for those looking for a quieter way to get to the upper atmosphere that also easier on the pocketbook (in relative terms at least), then Space Perspective’s alternative comes in at a cool $125,000.

The company demonstrated its technology with a successful flight on June 18, and started taking reservations on June 23 for luxury balloon flights that will fly 20 miles above the Earth in style. The six-hour trip will provide 360-degree views from reclining seats, while having the opportunity to calm any “afraid of height’s” jitters by patronizing the in-flight bar. Imagine being the bartender for this gig – talk about fringe benefits. Flights for passengers are expected to begin in late 2024.

Here’s how the company’s website describes the experience: “Your six-hour voyage on Spaceship Neptune is safe and comfortable, with minimal physical requirements and as simple as boarding an airplane. Launching from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and flown gently by a spaceballoon instead of rockets, a ride on the zero-emissions Spaceship Neptune offers the thrill of space and the comfort of calm. Spaceship Neptune comprises the capsule, spaceballoon, and reserve descent system.”

This is another great reason to visit Titusville, where we have watched in awe since the beginning of the space age as explorers headed into the skies.  There is so much to see and do here, including abundant outdoor recreation, wildlife and natural beauty, space history at the American Space Museum and Space View Park, a peek at our heroes and into the future at Kennedy Space Center, and maybe you’ll also be lucky enough to catch a rocket launch.  Take a look here for ideas.

We’ve all seen footage of astronauts being put through strenuous training sessions to get ready for the g-forces of rocket travel. In contrast, passengers on the spaceballoon don’t even have to give up any of their regular conveniences:

• Nine reclining, plush seats, for eight Space Explorers and a pilot.
• 360-degree panoramic windows.
• Refreshments bar and cabinet for belongings.
• Lavatory below the main deck.
• Wi-Fi connection, with communications devices to enable live streaming.
• Non-glare windows for excellent photography from inside the capsule.
• Sensors showing altitude, wind, and temperature throughout the flight.
• Instrument trunk on the capsule’s roof and below deck for research equipment.
• Splashdown Cone at base allows for smooth landing on the water.

The spaceballoon is describe as being the size of a football stadium. Artist rendering. Image Credit: Space Perspective

Based out of Kennedy Space Center, Space Perspective is led by Jane Poynter and Taber MacCallum, and their crew who have been involved in all human spaceballoon flights in the last 50 years. Poynter and MacCallum have been dubbed ‘Masters of the stratosphere,’ by Bloomberg Business Week, and MacCallum served as Chairman of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation.

It’s predicted that 40 or more launches will occur in the 2021 timeframe, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station/Kennedy Space Center. Get our launch viewing map here and watch lift off from the ground while you dream of your opportunity to follow the leaders into space.

Astronauts have always had the right stuff. Now the technology behind Space Perspectives has brought this experience within reach to non-professionals.  Bon voyage, travelers!

Source: Space Perspective