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Space Perspectives unveils luxurious interior of Neptune high altitude balloon

Capitalism in space: Space Perspectives has now unveiled the high class stateroom interior that it plans to put inside its Neptune high altitude balloon that will take tourists to 30+ miles altitude.

Space Perspective just released artist’s illustrations of the interior of Spaceship Neptune, which will include 360-degree panoramic windows and even a restroom with a view. The announcement Tuesday (April 12) coincided with the anniversary of the first human spaceflight by cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin in 1961.

Based on the imagery, Spaceship Neptune’s cabin appears to come in at least a couple of configurations. One has reclining seats, for example, while another with couches can accommodate a “more intimate dinner for two or special event,” Space Perspective representatives said in a statement on Tuesday.

Space Perspective will provide food and beverage services, and the capsule features mood lighting that can be dimmed to see stars or the curvature of Earth outside. Also included in the capsule’s “Space Lounge” will be a telescope, interactive screens and decorations such as floor lamps and plants to “remind us of the interconnected nature of our planet,” the company added.

The company hopes to begin commercial flights by ’24, each of which will last about six hours. Tickets are priced at $125K each, with the company saying it already has 600 people on its waiting list.

Genesis cover

On Christmas Eve 1968 three Americans became the first humans to visit another world. What they did to celebrate was unexpected and profound, and will be remembered throughout all human history. Genesis: the Story of Apollo 8, Robert Zimmerman's classic history of humanity's first journey to another world, tells that story, and it is now available as both an ebook and an audiobook, both with a foreword by Valerie Anders and a new introduction by Robert Zimmerman.

 
The ebook is available everywhere for $5.99 (before discount) at amazon, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit. If you buy it from ebookit you don't support the big tech companies and the author gets a bigger cut much sooner.


The audiobook is also available at all these vendors, and is also free with a 30-day trial membership to Audible.
 

"Not simply about one mission, [Genesis] is also the history of America's quest for the moon... Zimmerman has done a masterful job of tying disparate events together into a solid account of one of America's greatest human triumphs."--San Antonio Express-News

5 comments

  • Skunk Bucket

    $125k would be a good value for space tourism, except for one thing – you’re going nowhere near space. Still, if I had that kind of money just laying around, I might do it. It sounds like a lot of fun.

  • Mike Puckett

    How do the steer and recover the gondola?

  • For the actual flight of six hours, the cost comes to about $350/minute, but depending on what the price includes (transportation/hotel/meals), could be amortized over more time. Still.

    Is there a badge for the 30-Mile Club?

  • Jeff Wright

    This is a good altitude-above the clouds, longer stay than suborbital-comfy. Chute mostly pre-deployed with balloon above? Have suborbitals fly past perhaps..severe storms north to look at sprites.

  • jburn

    This will be an extremely and comfortable approach to an off planet experience. Imagine a high altitude yacht, with almost every creature comfort available on land and incredible, breath taking views on the edge of planets atmosphere.

    Of course you would miss the nausea, vomiting, difficult and messy toilets, migraine headaches, truly horrible food, lack of adult beverages, cramped quarters, lack of privacy and small windows found on space stations. However, there are zero g air flights if you’re craving these experiences to check off something on your bucket list.

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