It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a space balloon!
Extraterrestrial travel is a step closer to being normal once Spaceship Neptune, a giant balloon, takes flight in 2024.
According to Space Perspective, which is behind the initiative, the spacecraft is equipped with wi-fi, a bathroom, a fully-stocked bar, onboard cameras, and seats for eight travelers and one pilot.
The space tourism company has just released first-look photographs of the concept flight’s lounge interior.
“The goal was to create a welcoming interior featuring comfortable lounge chairs and mood lighting, the opposite of the bright white utilitarian interiors you find on other spacecraft,” Space Perspective explained.
Complementing the interior are 360-degree panoramic windows touted as the largest flown to space.
“The main surfaces are dark, soft, and tactile in order to enhance the feeling of coziness in the capsule, while at the same time reducing reflection and glare in the windows.”
Commercial space travel
Spaceship Neptune will take travelers 30 kilometers up in the air or above 99 percent of Earth’s atmosphere.
Flights will last six hours from launch to landing, with two hours distributed each to ascent, floating, and descent.
Each trip costs $125,000 per individual seat on top of a $1,000 refundable deposit. Notwithstanding, the first commercial flights on the spacecraft scheduled for late 2024 have already sold out.
The space balloon is 500,000 cubic meters in volume when fully expanded, able to contain a floating football field. Meanwhile, it stands just over 200 meters tall when ready for launch, or almost as tall as the Eiffel Tower.
“I could not be more proud of the performance of the team and the flight system. It was spectacular to witness the teamwork and the high level of expertise yield such a successful result,” founder and co-chief executive officer Taber MacCallum said.
Interested space tourists can reserve a seat here.
Banner Photo via Space Perspective’s Instagram
