Ship or hot air balloon? Prototype Neptune capsule for space tourism
The view of the Earth from above (Freepik)
American company Space Perspective has unveiled the prototype of the Neptune space capsule, designed to ascend into the stratosphere with humans on board.
RBC-Ukraine reported on what is known about the company and its space tourism project.
Sources used in the preparation of the article: Space Perspective, Space Perspective YouTube channel.
Space tourism by Space Perspective
The American company Space Perspective is based in Florida and, in 2020, announced its intention to venture into space tourism.
The company's project envisions the possibility for a group of eight passengers and one pilot to embark on a six-hour flight into the stratosphere, reaching an altitude of 30,480 meters (approximately three times higher than a typical passenger plane).
According to company experts, at this altitude, one can clearly see the curve of the Earth and the darkness of outer space.
The company says that Space Perspective has planned the journey to be thrilling and vibrant, with ample time for serene contemplation.
Astronauts describe the impact of viewing Earth from space as a "paradigm shift" that permanently alters a person's perspective.
Space Perspective's competitors in the field of space tourism include Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin, offering to take people to 80 km and 100 km, respectively.
Key features of Neptune spaceship
Passengers of Space Perspective will travel into the stratosphere in a sealed capsule called Neptune.
This is what the trip is likely to look like from the outside (photo: spaceperspective.com)
Overall, the company refers to its project as the world's only spaceship (Spaceship Neptune) with neutral carbon emissions.
"The Spaceship Neptune has been designed as the most accessible, stable, and safest craft on planet Earth or above it," the official website says.
Spaceship Neptune comprises several components:
- SpaceBalloon aerostat
- Emergency descent system
- Neptune capsule
Original idea (screenshot: spaceperspective.com)
"Unlike other spacecraft, where the crew compartment is detached from one system during flight and transitions to another, the Neptune spacecraft capsule remains attached to the SpaceBalloon throughout the entire flight - from takeoff to landing - creating an absolutely safe and gentle journey," the company explains.
According to the developers' plan, the Neptune capsule will literally hang beneath a hydrogen-filled "space balloon" the length of a football stadium.
It will be filled with gas (inflated) on the ground, launched from a special "marine spaceport," raised to the necessary height, and lowered back (during descent, gas will be slowly released).
Potential "path" of space tourists (screenshot: spaceperspective.com)
About the capsule and flight cost
According to scientists' calculations, the ascent to the planned height will take two hours. During these two hours, tourists can observe Earth, after which an additional two hours will be needed for descent.
Inside the Neptune capsule, plush seats, a bar with cool beverages, Wi-Fi communication system (capable of live streaming), panoramic 360-degree windows, and a toilet on the lower deck are planned.
Probable interior of the capsule (photo: spaceperspective.com)
Currently, engineers and other specialists have only created the external part.
The process of creating a capsule (photo: spaceperspective.com)
Tickets for a journey on Spaceship Neptune can be reserved now on the company's official website. The cost of reservation starts at $1,000 per seat.
Overall, the cost of the journey amounts to $125,000.
