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As commercial space flights become more prevalent with companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic transporting paying customers into space, a new frontier in tourism is emerging. Startups are now focusing on offering high-altitude balloon flights that lift tourists into the stratosphere. France-based Zephalto, Florida-based Space Perspective, and Arizona-based World View are at the forefront of this innovative travel experience, using pressurized capsules and massive gas-filled balloons to provide an extraordinary view of Earth.
The Experience
“The capsule itself is designed to carry eight customers and two crew into the stratosphere,” said Ryan Hartman, CEO of World View. “There will be a center bar where people can gather, and then, of course, there will be a bathroom aboard the capsule.”
These balloon rides are planned to last around six hours and will reach heights between 15 to 19 miles above the Earth’s surface. This altitude, known as the stratosphere, is below the generally accepted boundary of space, which is around 50 miles (80 kilometers) above the Earth.
Jane Poynter, founder and co-CEO of Space Perspective, offered a different perspective: “There is no universal definition of space. We are regulated as a spaceship. If we go over 98,000 feet, we are a spaceship. Outside the capsule, it’s essentially a vacuum. We’re above 99% of Earth’s atmosphere, which is why the sky is so deep black.”
Passenger Experience and Requirements
Compared to rocket-powered space tourism, stratospheric balloon flights offer a more serene and accessible experience. Passengers will not experience weightlessness, making the sensation more akin to being on an airplane.
“We don’t need any physical requirements to board the balloon,” said Vincent Farret d’Astiès, the founder and chief pilot at Zephalto. “If you can board a standard plane, you can board the balloon.”
Consumer Interest and Ticket Sales
The startups are seeing strong interest from consumers. World View has sold 1,250 tickets, while Space Perspective has sold 1,800. Zephalto did not disclose its ticket sales but stated that its initial flights are fully booked.
Ticket prices vary significantly: World View charges $50,000 per seat, Space Perspective offers tickets at $125,000, and Zephalto’s seats cost around $184,000. These prices reflect the unique and pioneering nature of the experience, provided commercial services successfully launch.
Testing and Future Plans
To date, only Zephalto has conducted crewed tests, though not yet at the target altitude of 15 miles. The success of these initial tests and the burgeoning consumer interest signal a promising future for stratospheric balloon tourism, offering a new way for people to see the Earth from an unprecedented vantage point.