Space tourism is about to get a whole lot more accessible and luxurious, thanks to Zephalto, a French space balloon startup that is planning to transport people to the edge of space in a balloon by 2025. Unlike traditional space tourism that involves rocket ships, Zephalto’s six-hour round trip to the edge of space will offer an unmatched experience of the Earth’s curvature and unparalleled views of the cosmos, all in the lap of luxury.
The edge of space: A unique experience
The “edge” of space, which has no universally recognized boundary, is typically thought to be between 50 and 62 miles above the Earth’s surface. Zephalto’s hydrogen- or helium-filled balloons will take off from France and ascend 15.5 miles (25 km) into the stratosphere over the course of 1.5 hours. At this height, passengers will be able to experience complete darkness with 98 percent of the Earth’s atmosphere below them, providing a clear view of the blue line that depicts the curvature of the planet.
Zephalto’s flight experience and design
The company’s founder and aerospace engineer, Vincent Farret d’Astiès, explains that passengers won’t experience zero gravity, but the view of the Earth in the dark is an emotional experience that requires psychological preparation. To ensure that passengers get their money’s worth, the balloon will hover at its highest point for three hours before descending back to Earth, with the entire trip taking six hours.
To make the experience even more special, Zephalto has enlisted the services of renowned French designer Joseph Dirand to bring the balloon’s interior to life. Dirand is known for his work on sophisticated eateries like Loulou and Monsieur Bleu, as well as trendy boutiques like Balmain and Givenchy in Paris. He has chosen a simple aesthetic to avoid drawing attention away from the stunning views.
Pricing and future plans
Zephalto’s space balloon tourism experience is not cheap, starting at $132,000 per person, but the company anticipates operating 60 flights each year. While Zephalto is not the only space balloon tourism startup with a balloon-based approach, it appears to be going for a rather opulent onboard experience.
Zephalto has conducted three test flights with pilots, but no balloon has yet traveled 15.5 miles. A flight later this year is expected to accomplish this. The company is aiming to make the space tourism experience accessible to more people and revolutionize the industry. Stay tuned for more updates on Zephalto’s plans.
Read also: SpaceX’s Ambitious Starship Faces Explosive Setback in Debut Test Flight
In conclusion, Zephalto is an exciting new space tourism startup that is changing the game with its balloon-based approach. With a luxurious onboard experience and unparalleled views of the Earth’s curvature and the cosmos, Zephalto is poised to revolutionize the space tourism industry. With plans to make the experience more accessible and multiple test flights on the horizon, Zephalto is a company to watch in the coming years. Book your slot now and experience the edge of space like never before.
