An Indian business plans to bring tourists to the edge of space

2025 is the launch date for the first space mission, as a spacecraft coupled to a novel high-altitude balloon technology will be ready to transport people.

The prototype of the space capsule SKAP1 was unveiled at the Akash Tatva science show, where it was met with enthusiasm from the scientific community and the general public.

Space Aura Aerospace Technology Pvt Ltd, located in Mumbai, India, was inspired by Elon Musk's SpaceX to begin construction of a space capsule capable of carrying seven passengers. However, the spacecraft won't stray far than 35 kilometers from Earth's surface.

The trips will be launched from Karnataka or Madhya Pradesh.

"Our objective is to attract space tourists to India by presenting to them a mix of space tourism and Indian culture.

"In comparison to Space X and Blue Origin, our company will help space tourists go to space at a much lower cost," Space Aura's CEO and founder Akash Porwal commented.

Space travelers will be able to see the earth's curvature and the darkness of space for around 1 hour in a capsule equipped with contemporary amenities and information systems, pushed by a balloon filled with helium or hydrogen, Porwal added.

A parachute will be deployed and the space balloon will be deflated to bring the spacecraft down to Earth. The space balloon will separate from the space capsule at a certain time, and the passengers will be safely returned to Earth.

The cost for a flight in the capsule is yet to be announced.

 

Source: business-standard.com