24 October 2023

Spaceship Neptune: Each trip will take eight people and a pilot near the edge of space and cost $125,000 per person.

An interstellar exploration company wants to build a space vessel that takes the uberwealthy cruising high up in the earth's atmosphere — and Mercedes-Maybach is lending its luxury brand name to make it happen.
Space Perspective hopes to take travelers up in the air by the end of 2024 in a craft known as Spaceship Neptune, a pressurized capsule with panoramic views.

Space Perspective's balloon-like spacecraft is floating toward a 2024 commercial launch. See new photos of the high-altitude luxury vehicle — including its fancy space toilet.

The startup was founded by aerospace executives Jane Poynter and Taber MacCallum.

A white, spherical cabin from the outside
Spaceship Neptune on display 
Courtesy of Space Perspective
The pair became famous after participating in the two-year Biosphere 2 experiment nearly 30 years ago, which aimed to prove whether or not humans could sustain themselves on other planets. However, the experiment failed because the airtight structure could not provide enough air, water, and food for the eight people inside.
Since then, the two have accumulated years of experience in the aerospace startup world. The pair founded Paragon, which created "technologies now on every human spacecraft orbiting the planet," Poynter told Insider.
The Space Perspective team includes personnel who designed and manufactured space balloons for NASA and former Space X engineers.
The company announced in 2020 its goal to transport passengers, Insider previously reported
.

Unlike many traditional space vessels, rockets will not be used.

A crew at night hoists a large, clear balloon
The SpaceBalloon 
Courtesy of Space Perspective
Each trip will take eight people and a pilot near the edge of space and cost $125,000 per person.
An orange cushion representing a closed toilet seat in a white, futuristic bathroom with windows looking out into space
Space Perspective says it will unveil the world's first space spa — a fancy bathroom. 
Courtesy of Space Perspectives
So far, 1,650 people have purchased $125,000 tickets with the company to explore the upper echelons of Earth's atmosphere.
Special training for passengers will not be required, Space Perspective said. All they have to do is sign some forms, take a seat, and strap in.
The experience is meant to be extravagant and cater to people with money to spend on risk-taking adventures. . .

Get into it more > Business Insider

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