Space Perspective offers customers balloon trips to the edge of space in a luxurious, state-of-the-art giant balloon that includes plush reclining seats, a well-stocked bar and a bathroom. The balloon will take customers to an altitude of 100,000 ft/30,480 m which is high enough to see the curvature of the earth and show it against the blackness of space.

Transport is on board the Neptune, a capsule with glass windows providing a clear view of the earth below. The balloon will be filled with hydrogen and ascend at a pace of 12 mph/19 kmh. Nine people along with one pilot will be part of the adventure.

Without the help of a rocket engine, the ride is believed to be easier, safer, and much more comfortable since passengers will not experience weightlessness. “We’ve got families that want to go together. We’ve got couples that want to propose or have their wedding. It’s accessible to life events,” co-CEO and founder Taber MaCallum said.

On 18 June, the company completed a successful test flight of its Neptune One test craft. “This test flight of Neptune One kicks off our extensive test flight campaign, which will be extremely robust because we can perform tests without a pilot, making Spaceship Neptune an extremely safe way to go to space,” added MacCallum.

Space Perspective is finalising its launch locations and plans to offer rides from different sites around the world including KSC and two other Florida spaceports.