HAVING A BALL
Watch incredible moment luxury space balloon soars into the sky & sees curve of the Earth in test flight
Footage shows the craft reaching the edge of space
THIS is the incredible moment a luxury space balloon soars into the sky and sees the curve of the Earth in a test flight.
Footage shows the luxurious Spaceship Neptune take off from a ship in the middle of the ocean and soar into the heavens.
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The high-tech tourist balloon flies right up to the edge of space, 100,000ft high, and then leisurely returns to the ground.
At its zenith, cameras capture a jaw-dropping view of the blue earth with black space set against it.
A team back on earth monitors the ship through sensors as they try and get it ready to take humans.
The clip of the test flight, posted to YouTube by owner Space Perspective, shows the second development flight.
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They hope the vessel will be one a new generation of adventure tourism craft which offer rides to extreme points of the world.
Space Perspective said the test flight checked a number of key life systems for keeping passengers safe.
One of those life systems is a bathroom with windows, allowing someone to look out onto the globe while using the loo.
The flight up to space and back lasts six hours, but travellers will be able to use Wifi and will sit in luxurious comfort.
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They said: "Spaceship Neptune is poised to offer a transformative six-hour experience to the edge of space. Propelled by our SpaceBalloon, it will carry Explorers at a gentle 12 mph pace.
"Aboard, you will find a comfortable and luxurious experience—complete with a Space Lounge, a proper restroom, and even a bar.
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"Explorers can enjoy the life-changing experience with fellow passengers or share it with friends and family Earthside through the capsule’s Wi-Fi."
The company plans to start human spaceflights in 2025, with commercial operations beginning in 2026.
The flight took off from the Marine Spaceport Voyager ship, off the coast of St. Petersburg, Florida, on September 15.
Founder and chief technology officer, Taber MacCallum said: "This is a defining moment for Space Perspective.
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"This unmanned flight not only proves our technology but also brings us closer to making space accessible for everyone."
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The orbital spacecraft also boasts a "highly customisable" experience for its high-rolling passengers.
"If you can dream it, our team is ready and waiting to work with you to make it a reality," the company writes on its website.
"From the menu and cocktails onboard, to the soundtrack and lighting, your individual preferences may be incorporated into your flight."
The number of passengers is also customisable - depending on how much you're paying.
But in total, the space balloon can fit up to eight tourists onboard.
Neptune has 360-degree long rectangular windows for viewing, which sets it aside from Virgin Galactic porthole-style windows.
The Wi-Fi connection also allows passengers to video call their family and friends back on Earth.
Bosses at the company envision voyages for weddings, dinners and even a family day trips.
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The experience lasts about six hours from launch to landing, including around four hours of time in the sky.
Neptune’s ascent peaks at the edge of space, above 99 per cent of the Earth's atmosphere, making passengers (technically) astronauts by Nasa's standards.
What's the price for a trip?
The price for an experience of a lifetime will typically bruise the wallet.
To onboard Neptune, Space Perspective requires a refundable deposit starting from $1,000.
The total cost of the seat will cost tourists $125,000.
It's an eyewatering sum, however, it is miles cheaper than Richard Branson's prices at Virgin Galactic.
Branson's trip is also only 90 minutes.
Whereas Space Perspective offers starbound tourists two hours to view the curve of the Earth, the inky black of space, and the thin blue line of our atmosphere.
This is, after all, what the company calls "the quintessential astronaut experience."
Although, there won't be any weightlessness.
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