Space Perspective are giving people the chance to look down on the Earth, but not in a negative way, just a cool way as their Space Neptune capsule will offer panoramic views of our planet.
It kind of looks like a hot air balloon but in space, but since there’s no oxygen, that would make it just a hot balloon? Apparently if you took a thermometer into space, it would say the temperature is roughly 7 degrees Celsius at the Earth’s distance from the sun. So this balloon would technically be a cold air balloon, but that’ isn’t very welcoming which is probably why they don’t call it that.
The capsule’s launch process
The capsule is out of this world in a physical and literal sense as it travels 20 miles above the Earth, so to neither infinity nor beyond. It launches from Kennedy Space Center and for those concerned about blasting off at high speed into space like a rocket, Space Perspective have stated that the space pod is carried into space using balloons which float at just 12mph meaning that take-off and landing will be very smooth.
“Centuries of balloon and parachute operation and development demonstrate that always flying with the balloon from launch through landing, with traditional parachutes as a reserve backup system, is by far the simplest, safest and most robust solution.” Says Taber MacCallum, co-CEO and CTO of Space Perspective.
“Our balloon is proven technology, used for decades already by our team on missions with NASA and other government agencies to lift research telescopes and other heavy, sensitive instruments” says Space Perspective on their website.
So it’s safe to say that Houston we don’t have a problem.
“Our proprietary flight system means that the capsule and SpaceBalloon always remain connected, and take-off and landing conditions are always within our control. The team has come together to create an amazingly robust, safe, and incredibly elegant and luxurious system for Spaceship Neptune.”
Space Neptune interiors
Offering 360-degree panoramic views of the Earth from space, the lounge is big enough for passengers to get up and move around. It features plush interiors, nine reclining seats for eight passengers and the pilot, a refreshments bar, sensors, and screens that offer in-depth science data about the flight, a cabinet to store belongings and dark and tactile materials to reduce glare and reflection. There’s even WiFi on board and communications devices to enable live streaming which means that stargazers will be able to share their stargazing experience with their friends and family live and in the moment.
For those thinking about how they’re going to sip on their cocktails if they’re floating around in zero gravity, Space Perspective state that because the capsule uses a balloon to travel, it doesn’t reach as high as competitors such as Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic which reach 65 miles and 50 miles into space respectively. The space capsule doesn’t travel far enough to be affected by zero gravity due to the shorter distance travelled so everyone’s feet will be firmly planted on the ground or space capsule ground to be specific,
Space Perspective also mention that the capsules interior design can be modified to accommodate special events such as a dinner for two or a wedding.
If you were to go on a date inside the space capsule and she says there’s not enough atmosphere, then you may want to remind her that the capsules panoramic windows are each 0.56 metres wide by 1.54 metres high which is the largest ever flown to space. There’s no excuse to not be able to see enough of the Earth’s atmosphere. Now if she says it’s not the right atmosphere then you’ll have to remind her that you literally left the Earth and are watching it from above. It can’t be any other planets atmosphere.
Ticket prices
Tickets to Space Neptune will cost $125,000 each for people wishing to embark on the six hour round trip. When compared to other space trips, a recent ticket for a Blue Origin flight was sold in an auction for $28 million.
So far, 900 tickets have been sold ahead of its expected launch in 2024.