

Taller than a commercial jetliner, higher than a spy plane, it’s a . . . balloon? Humans have long been fixated on outer space and flight. But while some focus on interstellar travel, one company offers another option—a balloon ride to the edge of space and then back down to terra firma.
Space Perspective is a start-up space tourism company. For about $125,000, the company plans to offer a peek into space from the comfort of what looks like a giant Christmas tree ornament.
The company’s main goal is selling a life-changing experience: viewing Earth from afar. The company hopes voyagers will see how small the planet is compared to all of space. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if every balloon traveler realized the vastness of the universe God created, and asked with the psalmist, “What is man that you are mindful of him?” (Psalm 8:4)
Spaceship Neptune’s capsule functions similarly to the payload of a weather or hot air balloon. A ginormous hydrogen balloon floats on top; the futuristic passenger capsule rides along below.
Neptune won’t require oxygen masks or high-tech spacesuits. Instead, the cabin will regulate temperature, oxygen, and air pressure—even in the freezing atmosphere 19 miles above Earth. Space Perspective describes this ride-of-a-lifetime as happening in “a shirt-sleeves environment.”
Neptune can transport up to eight daring passengers plus a pilot in style. The capsule will feature seats, refreshments, a restroom, and huge windows providing spectacular views of Earth against the blackness of space. Travelers will rise upward until reaching the outer edge of the atmosphere—about 100,000 feet above the Earth. There they can enjoy a two-hour floating experience.
After that, the balloon will descend for a sea landing. A ship will pick up the capsule, and passengers will disembark. The boat will return them to shore. The entire near-space experience should span about six hours.
“[Fewer] than 20 people have ever been to the edge of space under a space-balloon, far fewer than have been in orbit around our planet,” says Space Perspective. “For the first time, we can make the thrill of spaceflight accessible to you, our Explorers, in a safe, comfortable manner with minimal physical requirements and as simple as boarding an airplane.”
The company plans to launch its passenger-toting balloons from NASA’s former shuttle facility at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Officials are counting on riders to advertise the experience for them. They’ll be encouraging folks “to post to your favorite social media sites” during the ride. Spaceship Neptune could begin taking passengers for selfies with the real-deal stars starting in 2021.
1st comment!
This looks fun, probability wouldn't do it though.
WOW
Hope i get to do this sometime
3rd Comment!!!!!!!!!!!
Sounds like fun, but what if you have Asthma? And what if something goes wrong? The company would be fined for your death.
wow
That is neat. I didn't know that was possible!
wow that's so neat!
this looks really exciting! although it would be a little terrifying as well. i doubt i'll ever get to go on it, considering how much money it costs!!
cool
this looks so cool but what is the sun was right in front of you you would be so hot and it would be so bright that it will blind you. but the view would be amazing!
Did you guys read the Energy
Did you guys read the Energy From The Dark Side thing? So cool. This is cool too.
Did you guys read the Energy
Did you guys read the Energy From The Dark Side thing? So cool. This is cool too.
That looks pretty cool, but I
That looks pretty cool, but I wouldn't want to be one of the first passengers on board.
1st comment in the world
that looks fun BUT i would be nervous about th air ballon
It look so cool but I would
It look so cool but I would be nervous cause if the air ran out!
@ all
you guys aren't even considering if the balloon popped and you got hurled into space!!!!!!!!! #neverdoingthat
Scary!
Sounds scary! LOL I will definitely not try this xD Remember this? https://teen.wng.org/node/5057 and this, https://teen.wng.org/node/5775 ? xD
Marvin S
It probably costs a million dollars per person though.
Coolll
I would love to go up to space for a while
@Above
It sounds like a lot of fun and a cool idea, but yeah! A lot of things could go wrong! But I guess things can go wrong with anything! I am not sure I would want to do it though, or if I could afford it!! :)
Also
Those artist are REALLY good, as you can tell from the pictures!! They can draw real looking people, and in the one with the inside view, there are the people, but a slight reflection in the windows! And it looks so real like a pic!!!!
Space
wow! that looks so cool!
WOW
I,m stoked I would never be able to aford it ;0
Space
*Wow
WOW
I,m stoked I would never be able to aford it ;0
cool
I would never be able to aford it!!!
sun
what if the sun poped the ballon.
ORA ORA ORA
What is Star Platinum came around and he be like ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA
$1000000
If they take eight passengers up, they'd get a million dollars!
*GAAASSP!!*
AWESOME!! I wanna go I wanna go I wanna go I wanna go I wanna go I wanna go I wanna go I wanna go I wanna go...
So cool!
I think its really cool but what if i got hungry or needed to use the bathroom would we be able to take food up? Also to have my siblings and my parents all go up in the balloon would cost half $1,000,000! Plus what if the windows crack and we all die-
I would be excited and scared
I would be excited and scared at the same time.
@ Maddi H. I think the windows would be really thick and extra extra strong because of the circumstances but yeah I would be scared to even lean on the windows!
This is London
Same, not going near the windows, it would be fun but yet scary lol
This is London
N and m the second one I rember . I had world teen in 2018 I just didn’t go one there
So Cool. Not able to afford
So Cool. Not able to afford it though.
I think it is too expensive
I think it is too expensive for anyone to pay but I guess people who are like millionaire would have enough,
amazing
that is so cool people will be able to see GODS creations from up above i would dream of that all night but only really rich people would be able to do it wich is also a fair price in my world because you are going up to the edge of space!!
Cool!
It sounds like it would be fun, but I would not do it. What if we get stranded in space, or the balloon pops?
3rd comment
that looks epic and extremely risky I would love to go, but I have a phobia of heights especially in a little tiny pod
to add on to my comment
that also has to cost a fortune!
but? how!
wow! ok I don't know if I could do this, I mean I have been to the gateway arch and I though that was terrifying! this has got to be a life changer! I don't think I would like the landing in the water thing either
ᏋጀᎮᏋᏁᏕᎥᏉᏋ
This sounds very expensive, and only the rich might be able to ride it really. Athor then that this sounds Soooooo cool!!!!!
30 up 1 down 9 down ÷ 4 x 6 + 6 - 2
I totally agree although if i ever was rich this would be a jaw dropping experience.
Whoah! 5x COOL!
Wait, are kids allowed in that thing?
I would want to do it but
I would want to do it but would probably spend most of the time with my eyes closed :/
I would definitely go on it
It's really cool that they are doing this, but also the company would make sure that people wouldn't die in it, it would definitely be safe in every way, the company would not want to be responsible for people's deaths. Also, God has plans for everyone, so I'm not really scared of dying on it, if I die, it'll be God's will, and I want that to be fufilled no matter what. But still, I'd only go if I could afford it XD