A space tourism company has given a sneak peek at a spherical capsule that can transport paying customers into space during the year.
New photos and videos show the construction process of the Space Neptune capsule, which is being built by the American company Space Perspective in Florida.
Once complete, Space Neptune will transport people 100,000 feet (19 miles) above our planet's surface for amazing photo opportunities.
Passengers will be able to enjoy 360-degree views of Earth while inside the capsule, which will be equipped with a bar, on-board Wi-Fi and a toilet.
The company hopes that the first person will fly to Space Neptune before the end of 2024, but this depends on how the unmanned test flights go.
New images show the construction of the Space Neptune capsule, which is being built by Florida-based Space Perspective
The company has already released technical renders of what Space Neptune will look like, but these are the first images of the capsule.
In a new statement, Space Perspective called the capsule — which measures 15 feet in diameter — “the latest marvel in sustainable space travel.”
“Get a behind-the-scenes look at the assembly and vision of our space capsule designed for new horizons,” the message read.
“At Space Perspective, we are committed to sustainable exploration, and the Neptune Spaceship is leading the way.
“Our commitment to sustainable travel extends far beyond Earth, ensuring a minimal environmental footprint on every mission.”
New photos show that Space Neptune is still in the middle of construction, with interior furniture and windows appearing to be missing.
However, the white paintwork and white exterior veneer closely match technical renders the company has released in the past few years.
Space Neptune's primary selling point will be the opulence of its interior design, which resembles a luxury hotel room.
New photos show that Space Neptune is still in the middle of construction, and interior furnishings and windows appear to be missing.
If tests go smoothly, the capsule could transport people 100,000 feet (19 miles) above our planet's surface in late 2024.
Technical Demo: The Florida-based company offers a unique experience that's smoother than a ride on the Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic spacecraft, thanks to the balloon used to lift the capsule into space. In the picture is the company's presentation of the capsule
The ultimate balloon ride: Space Perspective will take up to eight space tourists on a $125,000-per-person ride 20 miles above Earth. The photo shows the balloon, with the capsule directly below it
Passengers will sip champagne as they enjoy a “relaxed” six-hour flight to see the curvature of the Earth before returning home.
The round capsule will be attached to a much larger balloon, largely filled with hydrogen gas.
The balloon will have a volume of 18 million cubic feet when fully expanded, which is large enough to contain a football field.
Since the gas is lighter than the surrounding air, the balloon will gently rise up and up through the Earth's atmosphere, with the capsule below it.
The company says it will eventually reach equilibrium above 99% of Earth's atmosphere where it will float, “like an ice cube floating on water.”
During the ascent, passengers will be able to see up to 450 miles in every direction, and at peak altitude they will see the total blackness of space and the curvature of the Earth.
Throughout the flight, passengers will receive breakfast, can order drinks and sit in their luxurious seats while enjoying the exclusive views.
The matte windows will provide excellent photo opportunities from inside the capsule – perfect for exclusive Instagram photo shoots.
The entire flights, from launch into the stratosphere to landing, will take six hours to complete – with two hours spent in the stratosphere
Passengers will soar 20 miles above the surface and feast their eyes on 360-degree views of Earth while inside a capsule that offers a bathroom and bar.
When it's time to return to Earth, the balloon will gradually release a small amount of gas that turns into water until it can land.
That's why the vehicle's emissions are almost non-existent and starkly different from traditional launches that burn rocket fuel.
A patent-pending spray cone at its base provides a “smooth, gentle water landing” in the ocean before returning passengers to land.
The company plans to manufacture multiple capsules for the Neptune spaceship, which will be launched from ships stationed in the ocean.
The Neptune spaceship's multiple capsules will be able to see each other in space 20 to 30 miles away, and will also be visible to people on Earth.
Customers have already purchased entire pods for group events, and some want to hold their weddings there, according to the company, which began selling flights at the end of June 2021.
Others may celebrate their special birthday aboard a capsule or take a corporate event “to new heights,” according to the company.
But all this depends on progress in building the first capsule and the results of initial test flights.
The company plans to manufacture multiple capsules for the Neptune spaceship, which will be launched from ocean-based ships (shown here).
It is hoped that the first completed capsule will be launched on an unmanned test flight in 2024, paving the way for crewed test flights later in the year.
In June 2022, the company successfully launched a prototype from the Space Coast Spaceport, adjacent to NASA's Kennedy Space Center.
The vehicle flew to its target altitude and crossed the Florida Peninsula before falling into the Gulf of Mexico and being recovered.
However, the prototype was very primitive and was a fraction of the size of the real thing.
It is unclear whether the company has also begun construction of the balloon that will be attached to the final capsule.
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