A SPACE startup company is planning to launch tourists way up into Earth's atmosphere in a giant balloon.<\/p>\n
This trip to the stratosphere would give lucky guests spectacular views of the planet and the curvature of the Earth.<\/p>\n
8<\/p>\n
8<\/p>\n
Space Perspective is the company behind the out of this world travel plans.<\/p>\n
It recently announced the development of its 'Spaceship Neptune', a flying space balloon that carries a pod.<\/p>\n
This pod aims to hold nine people, a minibar, a toilet and plenty of large windows.<\/p>\n
The aim is for the giant balloon to fly tourists 10,000 feet into the stratosphere in a pressurised capsule.<\/p>\n
8<\/p>\n
8<\/p>\n
8<\/p>\n
The trip would involve a two hour ascent.<\/p>\n
Once there, the plan is to hover over the Atlantic Ocean for two hours and then there's a two hour trip back down.<\/p>\n
Unmanned test flights are expected to begin in 2021.<\/p>\n
If all goes well, tickets could be sold as early as 2024.<\/p>\n
8<\/p>\n
However, reports suggest these will cost a whopping $125,000 (100,000).<\/p>\n
Space Perspective was founded by Jane Poynter and Taber McCallum.<\/p>\n
Their website states: \"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.<\/p>\n
8<\/p>\n
\"Our pressurized capsule affords a shirt-sleeves environment, and comes with a refreshments bar and lavatory, of course.\"<\/p>\n
The nine people onboard will include a pilot.<\/p>\n
The aim by the end of the decade is to have 500 of these missions taking off from Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, each year.<\/p>\n
8<\/p>\n
What is the stratosphere?<\/p>\n
Here's what you need to know...<\/p>\n
The stratosphere is the middle level of the Earth's atmosphere.<\/p>\n
Within it is the very important ozone layer that helps to protect us from radiation from the Sun.<\/p>\n
The stratosphere is 22 miles thick and gets hotter the higher up you go.<\/p>\n
It doesn't count as outer space and falls around 100,000 feet short.<\/p>\n
However, you can still see the curvature of the Earth at this level.<\/p>\n
BELLY'S GONNA GET YAYour belly button hosts a 'jungle' of bacteria with DOZENS of species<\/p>\n
SPACE ROCKSAsteroid over three times the size of Big Ben to hurtle past Earth next week<\/p>\n
BERRY GOODStrawberry lunar eclipse what time and how to see pink Moon display tonight<\/p>\n
SUN BLOCKWhen is the next solar eclipse in the UK?<\/p>\n
LOST QUEENLong-lost tomb of Ancient Egyptian beauty Cleopatra may finally have been found<\/p>\n
HORROR-SCOPEYou've been reading the wrong horoscope for years because the stars have moved<\/p>\n
In other space news, a huge asteroid is set to skim past Earth next week.<\/p>\n
Nasa's Curiosity rover hascaptured a snapshotof what Venus and Earth look like from Mars.<\/p>\n
And,six billion Earth-like planetscould be awaiting our discovery in the Milky Way.<\/p>\n
What are your thoughts on space tourism? Let us know in the comments...<\/p>\n
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online Tech & Science team? Email us at tech@the-sun.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n See the original post here: <\/p>\n Space tourism firm Space Perspective will send passengers into the stratosphere aboard giant balloon from 2024 - The Sun<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A SPACE startup company is planning to launch tourists way up into Earth's atmosphere in a giant balloon. This trip to the stratosphere would give lucky guests spectacular views of the planet and the curvature of the Earth Continue reading