The US start-up Space Perspective would like to launch the space balloon “Neptune” next year. Six-hour flights are planned at a maximum altitude of 100,000 feet (30 kilometers). You start either from land or from a ship, then you should go comfortably towards the summit at 20 kilometers per hour and then back down again.
So far, this is all just theory: Space Perspective has not yet completed a flight and planning has been going on since 2020. Even an announced test operation does not seem to be underway yet.
One of the quietest places
But that doesn’t stop the company from continuing to promote the project vigorously. Space Perspective repeatedly shows the lounge, which forms the center of the balloon. There are nine comfortable armchairs and a bar.
Space Perspective states that one question in particular concerns those interested. The company writes, “One of the first questions we receive about our six-hour spaceflight is, ‘Um, how about… go to the bathroom?'”
The start-up now provides the answer and says it is introducing the world’s first “space spa”. Five images are shown of a bathroom that initially resembles the toilets on board an airplane, but appears more spacious.
Space Perspective describes the quiet space as follows: “With soft, soothing tones, living plants, breathtaking window views, high-quality products and unique soundscape, it is the ultimate retreat for our explorers during their transformative journey to the edge of space. Plush seating on the toilet lid make it possible to stay comfortably for a while and enjoy a moment of solitude. And because there is Wi-Fi, you can even take a selfie at dizzy heights.”
$125,000 and still not an astronaut
Before the anticipation of the business of life gets too great: the company will pay handsomely for a visit to the plush seat at lofty heights if it actually takes off with the “Neptune” at some point. Reservations for a seat on board currently cost $125,000.
By the way, you can’t really go into space with the “Neptune” balloon: The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) defines the border to space at 100 kilometers above sea level. At 30 kilometers, the balloon would still be in the stratosphere, where weather balloons can also be found.
Once you have landed, you are not allowed to call yourself an astronaut – in the USA this only applies from an altitude of 80 kilometers; internationally the limit is even 100 kilometers above.
source: Gizmodo