Space Perspective Begins Production of Luxury Space Balloon Capsules
The first human-made object, Sputnik 1, was sent into orbit on October 4, 1957. On April 12, 1961 the first human entered space. These achievements, along with the years of R&D that went into them, have set the stage for continued space exploration. But we’re not all astronauts, and some of us just want to see Earth from space.
Space Perspective, Inc. has begun manufacturing their Spaceship Neptune – a luxury balloon flight that will take passengers 100,000 feet above Earth’s surface. The company was founded 3 years ago with headquarters at Kennedy Space Center. This latest step brings them closer to their goal of commercial flights by the end of 2024.
The commercial flights will take a maximum of eight passengers on a six-hour balloon journey with a gradual, 12 mph climb. They’ll stay at the peak for two hours, giving passengers a view from the edge of space.
Their patent-pending capsule is the result of years of R&D. The spherical capsule uses a splash cone for gentle, safe splash-downs in the ocean at the end of the flight. A reflective coating on the exterior regulates the temperature, keeping the interior cool and comfortable.
Developing space-safe balloons is no easy feat. The company has collaborated with Siemens AG to simulate the six-hour trips including varying environmental conditions to ensure the design is safe in any scenario.
The company already has sold 900 tickets, priced at $125,000 per person. In addition, it has raised $65 million since its founding. That includes a recent $17 million investment round announced May 19.
Meanwhile, the firm’s presence in Central Florida soon may bring construction and hundreds of new jobs. The company plans to build a 120,000-square-foot Titusville manufacturing facility by 2023, creating 240 full-time, high-wage jobs by 2026.
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