Space Perspective aims to organize space trips in hydrogen balloons

The company headquartered in the United States has recently revealed its plans of organizing trips into cosmos by using a hydrogen balloon as big as a soccer stadium. Space Perspective’s goal is to enter the space travel market as soon as 2024. More than 600 tickets for the rides have already been bought by space travel enthusiasts.

 

The balloon is able to travel much higher than an air-plane does, up 30 km above the planetary surface, so that passengers can admire Earth in all of its splendour.

Co-founder of the company, Jane Poynter, commented for the AFP:

"We wanted to find a way to really change the way people think about space travel. What balloons allow us to do is take people into space smoothly, comfortably."

The cosy capsule of the balloon features huge panoramic windows, soft seats, special lighting, a bar and permanent Wi-Fi access.

Each trip will cost $125.000 per person, while the “ship” will be able to accommodate up to eight passengers per flight, plus one pilot.

The first balloon is set take off from Florida, U.S., while a round trip will last for a total of 6 hours.

According to the company, the trips will generate no greenhouse gas emissions, as the necessary hydrogen for powering the balloon will be obtained from renewable sources. Moreover, when the flight is over, the capsule can be reused and the balloon can be recycled.

Space Perspective plans to organize 25 flights in the first year of service. All tickets are booked for 2024.

"There is so much demand that the market will only be limited by the industry's ability to meet that demand for years to come," added Poynter.

 

Source: euronews.com