After releasing the design on the luxurious SpaceShip Neptune, Space Perspective is now looking forward to taking people to the edge of space!
The space tourism firm recently revealed the final design of the zero-emission space balloon, a pressurized capsule that would transport passengers to the extreme edge of space.
The Spaceship Neptune will orbit the Earth at the height of 20 miles (30 kilometers). This is nearly three times lower than the Kármán Line, which is widely considered to be the limit of space, although it is still disputed.
All About The Spaceship Neptune
As reported first by Interesting Engineering, the architecture of Spaceship Neptune allows for panoramic 360-degree views, with the curvature of Earth and the dark space vividly apparent. Additionally, passengers will have a view of roughly 450 miles (724 km) in all directions.
One flight will last approximately six hours and will cost around $125,000. Space Perspective also just unveiled the exquisite interior of its capsule. It also claims that the exterior's spherical form enables a spacious interior with more headspace, as well as extra safety benefits made for pressure resistance.
Space Perspective founder and co-CEO Taber MacCallum, centuries of balloon and parachute operation show that constantly flying with the balloon from launch to landing is by far the "simplest, safest, and most robust" approach.
The company also said that its revolutionary capsule design was developed after thousands of virtual flight tests and simulations. The plan was made possible through Space Perspective's collaboration with Siemens Digital Industries.
Space Perspective is constructing the capsule at its Florida site near NASA's Kennedy Space Center. It also intends to deploy space balloon trips from the same spot.
Read also: 'Flying Hotel That Never Lands': AI Sky Cruise Ship Will Use Nuclear Energy to Fly in Luxury
Space Tourism Competition
The space firm provides carbon-neutral, zero-emission space tourism. As noted by Interesting Engineering, the same cannot be true for companies like Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic.
Meanwhile, SpaceX has recently sent two space travelers into orbit. In April, Axiom Space's Ax-1 mission to the International Space Station was launched aboard a Crew Dragon capsule atop a Falcon 9 rocket.
Previously, SpaceX carried four passengers on a four-day orbital voyage aboard one of its Crew Dragon capsules last September 2021.
Ticket prices vary widely across various options, Virgin Galactic just charged $450,000 for a ticket compared to Space Perspective's $125,000, which has already sold 900 tickets.
Space Perspective was also able to receive new million-dollar funding from new investors, including the Silicon Valley Bank, KKR and Co.'s co-founder Henry Kravis, as well as Trinity Capital in May.
The space tourism company received approximately $40 million in its Series A financing back in 2021. According to company management, this will completely fund the spaceflight company's first commercial flights, which are expected to commence in 2024.
Related Article: Virgin Galactic Wants 1000 Passengers To Purchase Its $450,000 Tickets; What are the Inclusions?
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Written by Joaquin Victor Tacla
