The concept of commercial space travel is no longer limited to science fiction movies. Companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic have already started transporting paying customers into space. However, a new wave of startups is emerging, aiming to provide tourists with a unique experience of seeing the Earth from the stratosphere. These companies, including Zephalto, Space Perspective, and World View, are setting out to make space tourism more accessible to the general public.
Unlike traditional rocket-powered space travel, these startups are focusing on using pressurized capsules and massive gas-filled balloons to take tourists to the stratosphere. For example, World View’s CEO, Ryan Hartman, mentioned that their capsule is designed to carry eight customers and two crew members. The experience will include a center bar for socializing and even a bathroom aboard the capsule. The balloon rides will last around 6 hours and reach heights of 15 to 19 miles above the Earth’s surface, providing tourists with a unique perspective of our planet.
While the U.S. government defines the start of space at around 80 kilometers above the Earth’s surface, Jane Poynter from Space Perspective has a different perspective. She argues that there is no universal definition of space and considers their operations as a spaceship when they go over 98,000 feet. The experience outside the capsule, in a vacuum with deep black skies, offers tourists a glimpse of what lies beyond Earth’s atmosphere.
One of the key selling points of these stratospheric balloon rides is their accessibility. Vincent Farret d’Astiès, the founder of Zephalto, emphasizes that passengers do not need any special physical requirements to board the balloon. The experience is more akin to being on an airplane rather than a rocket, ensuring that a wider range of people can partake in this adventure. While ticket prices vary among the companies, ranging from $50,000 to $184,000 per seat, they have seen significant consumer interest. World View and Space Perspective have already sold a substantial number of tickets, indicating a growing demand for space tourism.
Despite the excitement surrounding commercial space tourism, there are still challenges that these startups need to overcome. While Zephalto has conducted crewed tests, none of the companies have achieved their target altitude of 15 miles above the Earth’s surface. This highlights the technical complexities and risks associated with sending tourists to the stratosphere. However, with the increasing interest and investment in this market, there is a significant opportunity for growth and advancement in the commercial space travel industry.
The future of commercial space tourism is rapidly evolving, with startups like Zephalto, Space Perspective, and World View paving the way for a new era of space exploration. With a focus on accessibility, unique experiences, and technological innovation, these companies are reshaping the way we perceive space travel. As more consumers express interest and invest in this burgeoning industry, the possibilities for space tourism are limitless.