Tourists will be able to travel by balloon into space in 2025

The companies SpaceVIP (tourism) and Space Perspective (of space travel) have partnered to launch a luxurious trip to space. The experience of traveling by balloon into space will cost US$ 495.000 - something around of R $ 2.471.455,20 in direct conversion — will include haute couture garments and cutting-edge technology made by the French brand Ogier and also a dinner prepared by the chef classified with two Michelin Stars, Rasmus Munck. Check it out!

The balloon ride

With capacity for up to 6 passengers, the balloon called Spaceship Neptune It is powered by hydrogen and reaches an altitude of 30 kilometers, with a slightly low speed of 19 kilometers per hour. A Space Perspective, which developed the space balloon, announced that it will carry its first commercial passengers in 2025, with test flights scheduled to begin in April. The company highlights that the balloon has the largest capsule ever built in the world for human space travel. And despite the name “Neptune”, the company's space balloon does not reach space.

Reaching a maximum altitude of 30 km, the balloon reaches almost halfway Kármán Line, established at 100 km, which is the internationally recognized boundary for space, which is why the journey is considered suborbital. In comparison, other more common space vehicles typically reach altitudes of 12,7 km above the Earth's surface. A US Air Force, for example, indicates that any altitude above 128 km can be considered as space.

Like Virgin Galactic, which operates flights below the Kármán Line, and the Blue Origin, which does not reach space orbit, the experience offered by Space Perspective is primarily designed to allow passengers to see Earth from a privileged distance. By doing so, they may experience the so-called “Effect Overview“, a documented psychological reaction to seeing Earth from space.

This announcement has already highlighted space tourism and we are excited about the dialogue it has started around the importance of space travel.

SpaceVIP founder Roman Chiporukha wrote in an email to Forbes

Activities in space

The highlight of this trip is the dinner designed by the chef Rasmus Munck, well recognized in the culinary field. Munk is the chef and co-owner of the restaurant Alchemist of two Michelin Stars in Copenhagen, and revealed that it is developing an exclusive themed menu, with airgel-inspired food and encapsulated aroma. Each passenger will also have custom-made outfits from the French brand. Ogier, according to SpaceVIP. Furthermore, profits from the expedition will go towards The Space Prize, an initiative that promotes the role of women in the space field.

Price and availability

The experience that will take place on board the Spaceship Neptune will cost US$495 thousand per person, almost R$2,5 million in direct conversion. This will be the world's first carbon-neutral spacecraft — or balloon, specifically —. The launch date is set for the end of 2025, with liftoff scheduled from Kennedy Space in Florida.

Conclusion

Despite being a more select activity, the partnership between companies SpaceVIP e Space Perspective represents a milestone in space tourism, with this luxurious trip to space. The suborbital experience sparks interest in space tourism and continues the dialogue about the future of travel beyond Earth, which we have been seeing for some time with other commercial travel. The SpaceVIP founder also talks about how this and other opportunities can be explored for benefits on and off Earth.

When we figure out how to grow plants in space with minimal water, these solutions could be used on Earth, in places like South Africa or California, which are experiencing unprecedented droughts. Our goal is to raise awareness and unite people so that, in solidarity, we can find solutions that benefit us all.

SpaceVIP Founder Roman Chiporukha

And you, what did you think of the idea? Tell us Comment!

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With information from: Forbes, Interesting Engineering e QZ

reviewed by Glaucon Vital in 19 / 3 / 24.