A COMPANY has finally unveiled its ultra-luxury space capsules that will take the ultra-rich to the edge of space.
Florida-based Space Perspective plans to fly passengers to an impressive height of 100,00 feet – for the eye-watering price of $125,000 (£100,000).
A company has unveiled its space capsules that will take passengers to the edge of space[/caption]
The Florida-based company envisioned a balloon that would gently ascend into space[/caption]
The opulent experience extends to the interior, which is masterfully crafted[/caption]
The pressurized plane, which has been named “SpaceBalloon,” will gently ascend to the edge of space at a speed of 12 miles per hour.
The gigantic space globe comes complete with nine generous, reclining seats – for eight passengers and one pilot.
But the long list of impressive amenities hardly stops there.
Inside the capsule, lucky passengers can enjoy the comfort of the world's first Space Lounge, complete with Wi-Fi, fine dining and luxury amenities provided by prestigious partners.
Almost as if interactive lighting, sound systems and a bar weren't enough, the capsule's lounge features various plants and herbs – such as basil and rosemary – used in onboard food and drinks.
Passengers will enjoy panoramic views through the largest windows ever flown into space – and even enjoy “a real toilet” that the company calls the Space Spa.
The company aims to bring more than 1,750 current ticket holders to the Edge of Space next year, and is expected to reach 4,000 seats sold – $400 million in bookings – by the end of this year.
Space Perspective said Tuesday: “Introducing Spaceship Neptune – Excelsior, our completed test capsule!
“With the largest windows ever flown into space and a spherical design that accommodates the most spacious interior of any human spaceflight capsule ever created, our spacecraft offers the most incredible panoramic views of Earth.”
The company added: “With the first SpaceBalloon ready and the launch ship, Marine Spaceport Voyager, in the final stages of preparation, Space Perspective is beginning to monitor its test flights.”
The test capsule, named Excelsior in honor of the late balloon space jump pioneer Joe Kittinger, is said to be the largest spaceflight capsule in existence.
The spherical capsule has a diameter of 4.9 meters and offers a pressurized volume of more than 60 cubic meters.
This means the balloon has about twice the volume of Virgin Galactic's Spaceship Two and Blue Origin's New Shepard, and about four times that of SpaceX's Crew Dragon.
Taber MacCallum, co-founder of Space Perspective, said: “We are on the cusp of a staggering change – not only in the way we humans experience space, but also what we conjure up in our minds when we think of the spaceship that takes us there. .
“We are redefining the category and paving the way for accessible space travel for years to come.”
Artist's impression of Space Perspective space balloon. See SWNS story SWMRspaceballoon. The luxury capsule set to transport passengers by balloon to the edge of space has been unveiled. On Tuesday (February 20), Florida-based Space Perspective showed off the completed version of their Spaceship Neptune – Excelsior test capsule. The company plans to fly pressurized aircraft […][/caption]
The cabins can accommodate up to eight passengers, with one seat for a pilot[/caption]
It also comes complete with the space's first real bathroom[/caption]
The bathroom is so luxurious that the makers call it a 'spa'[/caption]
Huge windows provide panoramic views of the earth below[/caption]
An artist's impression of the Space Perspective space balloon[/caption]