Would be astronauts looking to book the trip of a lifetime are
being offered the chance to float into space in a high-tech
balloon.
A Spanish company plans on offering the ultimate day trip to
near-space in two years time — just enough time to start saving for
the £95,000 ticket.
During the flight, passengers will be able to stand up and enjoy
fantastic panoramic views of Earth, experience weightlessness and
even eat a meal if they desire.
The ëblooní is the brainchild of Spanish entrepreneur Jose Mariano
Lopez-Urdiales, boss of Barcelona-based
Zero2Infinity.
Space tourists will journey to earth’s outer limits in a capsule
that can hold six people — four passengers and two
pilots.
Annelie Schoenmaker of Zero2Infinity, said: “The ride will be very
gentle and peaceful as well as environmentally
friendly.
“Passengers will be able to see the sun and the stars at the same
time, while looking down on the curvature of the
earth.”
Russian adventurer Artemy Lebedev, who is one of the few people on
the planet to have visited every country, has already signed up for
a trip to near-space.
Commercial operations will begin in 2015 but a trip will cost
around £95,000 per person.
Schoenmaker said: “The experience will be very much like that in an
aeroplane although there will be a period of about 30 seconds when
passengers will experience weightlessness and will be able to float
around the cabin."
