posted 06-18-2020 09:58 AM               

Space Perspective to fly people and payloads to the edge of space

Company establishes Launch Operations Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center

Space Perspective today (June 18, 2020) announced its plans to fly passengers and research payloads to the edge of space with its Spaceship Neptune, a high-performance balloon and pressurized capsule. The human space flight company plans to launch from the iconic Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida, with the first un-crewed test flight scheduled in early 2021 that will include a suite of research payloads.

"We're committed to fundamentally changing the way people have access to space – both to perform much-needed research to benefit life on Earth and to affect how we view and connect with our planet," said Space Perspective Founder and Co-CEO Jane Poynter. "Today, it is more crucial than ever to see Earth as a planet, a spaceship for all humanity and our global biosphere."

The company has completed extensive international market research and a new design built on 50+ years of proven technology. Spaceship Neptune was developed from the ground up for maximum safety, accessibility, near zero-emissions and routine operations around the world. The balloon measures the length of a football stadium and the pressurized capsule is comfortable and spacious.

Flown by a pilot, Neptune takes up to eight passengers called "Explorers" on a six-hour journey to the edge of space and safely back, where only 20 people have been before. It will carry people and research payloads on a two-hour gentle ascent above 99% of the Earth's atmosphere to 100,000 feet, where it cruises above the Earth for up to two hours allowing passengers to share their experience via social media and with their fellow Explorers. Neptune then makes a two-hour descent under the balloon and splashes down, where a ship retrieves the passengers, the capsule, and the balloon. Neptune's commercial human spaceflight launches are regulated by the FAA Office of Commercial Spaceflight.

"Following the return of human spaceflight from U.S. soil just a few weeks ago, people have never been more excited about space travel," said Founder and Co-CEO Taber MacCallum. "Few endeavors are more meaningful than enabling people to experience the inspiring perspective of our home planet in space for the betterment of all, and that's what we are accomplishing with Space Perspective."

Opening the first research and education laboratory at the edge of space

Science and education are also core to Space Perspective's mission, and the company is working with researchers, educators and students from academic institutions and organizations. Payloads are already being manifested to fly on the first test flight in 2021. Neptune is suited for research areas of interest including:

• Atmospheric science that could shed light on Earth's climate and air systems

• Astro- and solar-physics to illuminate understanding of the universe

• Astrobiology to explore the limits of life on the planet and beyond

Space for Humanity, a nonprofit, has chosen Space Perspective as a preferred partner for their Citizen Astronaut Program and scientific research.

"Space for Humanity is cultivating a movement to expand access to space for all of humanity, and this partnership represents a big leap in making that happen," said Dylan Taylor, Founder of Space for Humanity and CEO of Voyager Space Holdings. "We are excited about the possibilities this partnership opens up for us, and what it means for all the participants that will be able to view our home planet from the edge of space."

Homebase at KSC

Space Perspective has signed a lease agreement with Space Florida, the state's aerospace and spaceport development authority, to locate its first Operations Center at the Midline Building at the Launch and Landing Facility (LLF), formerly known as the Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF). Space Florida currently operates and manages the LLF and accompanying facilities under a 30-year property agreement with NASA.

"Space Perspective is bringing a fundamentally new capability to the Cape, which will enhance the offering we have in Florida for space-related research and tourism," said Space Florida President and CEO Frank DiBello. "Its presence here in Florida creates not just job and supply chain opportunities, but opportunities for civilian astronauts to experience this planet Earth from the Edge of Space, a privilege previously available to only a few. Its selection of our state marks a new era of spaceflight for Florida!"

Space Perspective and NASA have entered into a Space Act Agreement under which NASA may provide uniquely capable services available at KSC to Space Perspective on a reimbursable basis.

In addition to launching from KSC, Space Perspective will launch from Cecil Spaceport in Florida, and is planning to have future launch sites around the world, including Alaska, Hawaii and several international spaceports.

Leadership with decades of high-performance balloon experience

Our leadership and crew members have led, developed or operated all human balloon flights to the edge of space in the past 50 years. The serial entrepreneurs Poynter and MacCallum co-founded World View Enterprises with its innovative balloon-based Stratollite for remote sensing, and Paragon Space Development Corporation, a human spaceflight technology firm. They were also part of the team that designed the air, food and water systems for Biosphere 2 in the early 90s and were on the first two-year mission inside. MacCallum is Chairman of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation and was chief technology and safety officer for StratEx, a project that launched Google Executive Alan Eustace to 136,000 feet under a balloon and returning him safely under parachute to earth, breaking the Stratos Spacedive record in 2014. Eustace is a Space Perspective board member. Kirby Harris with Base Ventures, a Silicon Valley Venture Capital firm and Space Perspective lead investor, also serves on the board. NASA Astronaut Jeff Hoffman will serve as senior technical advisor.

About Space Perspective

Space Perspective is a human space flight company committed to fundamentally changing people's view and perception of Earth. Using a high-performance balloon and pressurized capsule technology that gently travels to and from the edge of space over a six-hour period, the spacecraft offers opportunities for groundbreaking research and life-changing travel experiences for world explorers. Space Perspective is led by a team of professionals that have developed or operated all human balloon flights to the edge of space in the last 50 years.

posted 12-04-2020 08:51 AM               

Space Perspective moves closer to the edge of space, with seed round financing and a stellar investment team

Space Perspective today announced it has closed a $7 million series seed financing for the development and early flights of Spaceship Neptune to the edge of space. The infusion of capital advances the human space flight company another step closer to fundamentally changing the way people have access to space for research and tourism.

"We are delighted to welcome our new investors to the Space Perspective team. We selected them because they are the cutting edge of venture capital. Their active approach to supporting founders is a critical component of executing on our mission to give people the life-changing experience of seeing our planet in space," said Space Perspective Founder and Co-CEO Jane Poynter, who made the announcement today at the Web Summit 2020.

"Our ability to make space accessible in unprecedented ways carries immense importance," added Taber MacCallum, also Founder and Co-CEO. "We are grateful that this premier group of investors recognizes that space tourism has arrived and is a significant driver in the future growth of commercial spaceflight."

The financing was led by Prime Movers Lab, the lead investor in Momentus who recently announced its SPAC merger, and Base Ventures who is a leading Silicon Valley tech fund. The investor group also includes world-renowned entrepreneur, author and business strategist Tony Robbins, and venture capital firms Kirenaga Partners' Central Florida Tech Fund, 1517 Fund, Schox, E2MC Ventures and SpaceFund Venture Capital. Anton Brevde of Prime Movers and Kirby Harris of Base Ventures serve on the Space Perspective Board of Directors. David Scalzo of Kirenaga is an advisor.

"My life is dedicated to delivering people extraordinary experiences that expand human consciousness," said Tony Robbins. "I always say a belief is a poor substitute for an experience and Jane and Taber's work at Space Perspective will deliver a life changing experience to people across the world and help us all realize that we are part of a human family sharing this remarkable planet."

"We are thrilled to be leading Space Perspective's seed round," said Anton Brevde. "We are big believers in the future space economy and space tourism is a segment we have been tracking closely. It's clear that there is massive consumer demand to explore this final frontier and we believe seeing Earth from the edge of space will have a profound impact on those who experience it. What attracted us to Jane and Taber's vision and approach was the safety, accessibility, and tranquility of the Space Perspective experience."

Space Perspective will safely fly a pilot, passengers and research payloads to the edge of space and back via its Spaceship Neptune, a high-performance space balloon and pressurized capsule. Neptune's gentle and comfortable six-hour flight offers people the life-changing experience of seeing Earth in the blackness of space. The company's first test flight, Neptune 1, is slated for around the end of first quarter 2021 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Landing Facility (managed by Space Florida). This test flight will be with an un-crewed, unpressurized capsule and is the first step towards operational flights, currently targeted for 2024, with tickets going on sale in early 2021. Neptune's commercial human spaceflight launches are regulated by the FAA Office of Commercial Spaceflight.

posted 06-18-2021 07:02 PM               

Historic Launch Of First Test Flight

Our Neptune One test vehicle successfully launched from the Space Coast Spaceport, adjacent to NASA's Kennedy Space Center, on June 18 2021, the first in our robust test flight program for Spaceship Neptune. Space Perspective is the first space launch operator to fly from the Space Coast Air and Spaceport.

The un-crewed Neptune One flew its planned flight, similar to the one our Space Explorers will fly. It reached over 100,000 feet, traversed the Florida peninsula and splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico where it was met and brought ashore.

"I could not be more proud of the performance of the team and the flight system. It was spectacular to witness the teamwork and the high level of expertise yield such a successful result," said Taber MacCullum, co-CEO and Chief Technology Officer.

Introducing A New Era In Space Travel

Neptune One comprised the spaceballoon, reserve descent system, and full-size capsule simulator. All primary objectives of the test flight were met, including the completion of a full flight demonstration, from prelaunch to recovery.

The test flight of Neptune One kicks off our extensive test flight campaign, which will be extensive because we can perform tests without a pilot, making Spaceship Neptune an extremely safe way to go to space.

Test Flight Payloads

Higher Orbits, an educational nonprofit that uses space to promote STEAM by partnering with astronauts and students, flew the winning projects of their recent science and art project competitions for students. One experiment measured the sun's magnetic field to confirm solar minimum, the time when the sun is least active. A second measured the effects of the space environment on memory materials that are made to hold a particular shape.

University of Northern Florida flew an ozone instrument to test their innovative atmospheric science technology. Ozone Sensors instrument was developed by Dr. Nirmal Patel and his students' team in Physics Department. This payload demonstrates to research organizations, NASA and other government entities that Spaceship Neptune is a valuable platform for research.

posted 06-23-2021 10:10 AM               

Space Perspective Announces Reservations for Spaceship Neptune

Introducing a new era in luxury travel experiences: Space Perspective reimagines the thrill of space exploration with the world's most radically gentle voyage to space. Space Explorers and travel adventurers looking to upgrade their bucket list can now savor 360-degree views of planet Earth from 20 mi/30 km above in a luxurious six- hour trip, inside Spaceship Neptune, propelled by a state-of-the-art spaceballoon the size of a football stadium. Up to eight guests can have the sensational experience from the comfort of plush, reclining seats in a beautifully appointed capsule, complete with a bar and a bathroom, for $125,000 each.

The brainchild of pioneering entrepreneurs and space travel experts Jane Poynter and Taber MacCallum, Space Perspective wants more people to experience the life-changing views from space that to date have only been accessible to astronauts — making it possible by applying flight technology also used extensively by NASA for many years.

This transformative opportunity, taking reservations now for flights to space as soon as late 2024, opens up the possibility of exploring space to a wider audience than has historically been possible. The space curious who would have considered it either too risky — or expensive — now have the opportunity to experience the exhilaration of traveling to space, with a safe and gentle ascent, a world away from rocket-fueled space endeavors. The ground-breaking, pressurized Spaceship Neptune gently lifts passengers 100,000 ft/30,000 m to space to then be immersed, for two hours, in entirely new and breath-taking views of the curvature of Earth down below, in all its beauty and its poignancy.

As the first space launch operator to fly from Space Coast Air and Spaceport, located adjacent to NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the Neptune One inaugural Test Flight kicks off an extensive testing program. The ability to perform test flights without crew on board allows more extensive testing of backup and safety systems than is possible with vehicles that require a pilot, making Spaceship Neptune an extremely safe way to go to space. Commercial flights of Spaceship Neptune will have a pilot onboard. Space Perspective ensures safety by applying flight technology used for decades by NASA and other government entities around the globe, supported by a world class, hand-picked crew, who have been integral to all human spaceballoon flights for the last 50 years.

History-making Space Explorers will leisurely ascend from a launch pad at the iconic Kennedy Space Center in Florida to soar above 99% of Earth's atmosphere in an awe-inspiring, two-hour tour of our planet's biosphere, from inside the comfortable capsule of Spaceship Neptune and its vast viewing windows. Throughout the six-hour journey, all guests will enjoy the best reclining seats in the house to soak in the 450-mile, 360-degree view, an open call on dress, champagne, and a bathroom.

Unlike the physically grueling, and eye wateringly expensive space rockets, there's minimal preparation nor physical demands for guests — in fact, Spaceship Neptune rewrites the engineering playbook: it doesn't use rocket propulsion nor engender g-force acceleration — it's more than brute power. While exhilarating in its own right, this is an invitation to experience a profoundly different perspective that is the most visceral reminder of how interconnected we are, not just with each other, but with all living organisms — boundaries and differences disappear. It's a powerful, moving and much more expansive perspective that enlightens the human consciousness, the quintessential astronaut experience.

Jane Poynter and Taber MacCallum, the husband-and-wife team behind Space Perspective, are on a mission to take on the perception of adrenalin-fueled space travel and invite more people than has historically been possible to ride the wave of space history and be transformed by seeing our beautiful Earth in space.

The couple has been responsible for some of the most remarkable breakthroughs in space innovation and exploration in the last 20 years:

• They were founding crew members of Biosphere 2, an artificial, enclosed ecosystem designed to mirror Earth's biosphere to test the viability of maintaining human life in outer space.

• Founders of Paragon Space Development Corporation: the Human Life Support Systems Company perfected technologies seen on most human spacecraft including the International Space Station and acted as technical advisors to Elon Musk on human spaceflight before SpaceX was a reality.

• They led team StratEx (Stratospheric Exploration) that invented a self-contained spacesuit and recovery program that could allow human exploration of the stratosphere at 100,000 ft and saw Alan Eustace, a senior Google engineer, set the world record for human spaceflight propelled by a spaceballoon at 136,000 ft — breaking previous world records in 2014, and a record which remains unchallenged today.

Most recently, the couple were behind the Silicon Valley-backed stratosphere balloon technology company World View Enterprises with its revolutionary un-crewed Stratollite for communications and remote sensing.

Spaceship Neptune offers hours of constantly changing, dazzling views. Our atmosphere stretches for hundreds of miles into space, Spaceship Neptune flies above 99% of it and the perspective of looking down through atmospheric layers, framed by the thin blue line is — according to most astronauts who have experienced it — profoundly life-changing.

This radical approach to luxury space travel is also mindful of the environment, including zero- emission spaceflight. Space Perspective addresses the increased demand for more sustainable travel and experiences for both the affluent and those seeking to invest in a once-in-a-lifetime trip. The draw of more accessible space travel is big business. According to commissioned reports by leading international management consultancy firms, the total addressable market is worth $250 to $700 billion.

Each Space Perspective capsule will entertain up to eight guests and be accompanied by a pilot, with a co-pilot on the ground. Cultivating group or solo experiences to space potentially mark extraordinary events with a setting to match: couples might well get hitched with a small circle of family introducing a whole new dimension on nuptials. Others may relish the opportunity to celebrate a milestone birthday or even choose to take the company get together to new heights. Space Perspective is currently developing an end-to-end bespoke journey to ensure every moment of every trip is special, personalized, and comfortable.

Space Perspective will also be the first-of-its-kind space laboratory, able to repeatedly test and capture data from a part of Earth's atmosphere which to date has been little researched, paving the way for more scientific and creative breakthroughs. Eager to act as change agents and propel research in climate and atmospheric science, astro and solar physics — Spaceship Neptune will enable Explorers to participate in research as part of their own experience.

Traveling where few have gone before in an entirely accessible format, Space Perspective sets a new bar in space travel and out-of-this-world luxury experiences with their exclusive space journey. Please visit Space Perspective's website to reserve your seat on Spaceship Neptune.

posted 02-21-2024 11:15 AM               

Space Perspective Unveils the Future of Human [High-Altitude] Travel

Space Perspective, the world's first carbon-neutral [high-altitude] flight experience company, released images of its completed test capsule today. With its first SpaceBalloon finished and its launch vessel, Marine Spaceport Voyager, in its final stage of preparation, Space Perspective is beginning to eye its test flights window.

The test capsule, which is named Excelsior in honor of late balloon space-jump pioneer Joe Kittinger, is now the largest high-altitude flight capsule in existence and represents a significant milestone in U.S. entrepreneurship.

Spaceship Neptune's spherical capsule is 16 feet (4.9 meters) in diameter, providing a pressurized volume of more than 2,000 cubic feet (60 cubic meters) – roughly two times the volume of Virgin Galactic's SpaceshipTwo and Blue Origin's New Shepard, and about four times that of SpaceX's Crew Dragon.

Entering the interior of the finished capsule for the first time just last week, capsule design lead, Dan Window, was overcome with emotion. "It's been over a decade of work with Jane (Poynter) and Taber (MacCallum)," Window said of his long-standing relationship and collaboration with Space Perspective's Founders and Co-CEOs. "I teared up. To see our designs become reality and to know that we will be taking people [into the stratosphere] to have this life-changing experience in this beautiful capsule. It's a dream."

"The capsule is like nothing the world has ever seen," said MacCallum, who is also Space Perspective's CTO, noting the capsule's massive windows, iconic design, and spacious interior. "We are on the cusp of a staggering shift – not only in the way we humans experience [high-altitude travel], but also what we conjure in our minds when we think of the ship that gets us there. We are redefining the category and paving the way for accessible [high-altitude] travel for years to come."

Design Innovation & Patents

The iconic spherical shape of the exterior creates the perfect pressure vessel. Starting with this form allowed the engineers to not only create the lightest and strongest structure possible, but also the roomiest interior. Space Perspective also long considered repeated vertical windows, which allow for contiguous panoramic views (vs. horizontal windows, which would bifurcate the view to the human eye – a phenomenon resulting from stereoscopic vision). Its innovative windows were designed to protect from harmful wavelengths of sunlight while also controlling for heat in the capsule and not altering the color of what you see out of them – the stars above and the Earth below.

More than 100 layouts for the interior of the capsule and its Space Lounge were explored before finalizing the overall dimensions and flow to maximize space and comfort. Designed to accommodate eight Explorers and a Captain, once in commercial operations, Spaceship Neptune will set the record for the most people taken to the edge of space.

Every major element of the ship is covered by a patent – this includes the SpaceBalloon, the method of launching a SpaceBalloon from a ship, the reserve descent system, the heat-rejecting radiator technology, the capsule structure with vertical windows, and the splash cone, which attenuates the capsule to provide a gentle ocean landing and then becomes a sea anchor to stabilize the capsule.

Development & Manufacturing

Uniquely, Space Perspective is vertically integrated with in-house capsule design, manufacturing, testing and operational functions. This includes a carbon composites manufacturing facility with state-of-the-art process control, a material testing laboratory, and a capsule integration hangar. The flight electrical and power systems, software, mission control and the environmental control and life support systems, including atmospheric and thermal control, are also designed and built in house – as are the company's SpaceBalloons, which are manufactured in its 700-foot-long Seely SpaceBalloon™ Factory, named after late chemical engineer and balloon science pioneer Loren G. Seely, whom the company's head of balloon development and manufacturing studied under.

Reputable operational partners supporting test capsule completion included Llamas Plastics, Keyence, Siemens, Epsilon3, Dolphitech, ViRTEK, Rescale, Sims Crane, PCI Composites, Andromeda Systems Inc., and RS&H Aerospace Solutions.

Unparalleled Engineering Team

Space Perspective's team has been instrumental in the development of every U.S. human spacecraft for the past 40 years, and has worked directly for or on high-profile projects with the likes of NASA, SpaceX, Boeing, Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin, and the U.S. Navy.

The capsule achievement, specifically, is the result of deep collaboration between three of the company's engineering teams, including structures, led by Ryon Warren, manufacturing, led by Vincent Bachet, and design, led by Dan Window (former PriestmanGoode). Mitzi Giles and her team are responsible for the recent completion of the company's first SpaceBalloon.

Rounding out the leadership is John Straus, who heads environmental control and life support; Ryan Nascimento, who heads launch and retrieval; Quentin Washington, who heads avionics, power and computational systems; Curis Larsen, who heads Spaceship Neptune's reserve descent system; and Al Witkowski, who occupies an integrated role as lead systems engineer.

Funding, Sales & International Expansion

Space Perspective has raised $77M to date, and is funded by a diverse portfolio of investors, including lead investment group, Prime Movers Lab, who specialize in deep-tech investments into companies that have the potential to impact billions of lives, and other notable venture capital funds like LightShed Partners, 1517 Fund, Republic Capital, SpaceFund, Explorer 1 Fund, E2MC Ventures, Base Ventures, Green Sands Equity, and Harry Kravis's new fund, Stonecroft Management – not to mention investment from its own Explorers.

Some of the company's investors joined the Space Perspective team last week for a special capsule unveiling on Valentine's Day, marking the anniversary of the Pale Blue Dot, the photograph taken of Earth from 3.7 billion miles away in 1990 by the Voyager 1 space probe on beloved late astronomer Carl Sagan's urging. The Pale Blue Dot is a beacon for the Space Perspective mission and brand – an image that reminds us to act more kindly toward the planet and each other.

In 2021, Space Perspective flew a capsule simulator to 100,000 feet under its SpaceBalloon; since then, its teams have been designing and building a pressurized capsule to resume testing, which will include evaluating all systems, corners cases and off-nominal scenarios to pass numerous safety gates. With the spaceship components now complete, a series of uncrewed test flights will begin in the next few weeks off the coast of Florida. Data gathered during those flights will pave the way for the parallel development of human-rated capsule and crewed test flights later this year.

Space Perspective's revolutionary flights offer customers, who they call Explorers, a transformative six-hour journey inside a capsule lifted by a SpaceBalloon at ~12 mph. With no rockets or heavy g-forces, it's the most accessible way to travel [into the stratosphere] and as easy as being on an airplane. Inside the capsule, Explorers will enjoy the comforts of the world's first Space Lounge, complete with Wi-Fi, a world-class culinary program, plush seating and luxury amenities provided by its growing list of partners, panoramic views through the largest windows ever flown [into the stratosphere] – even a proper restroom (a serene, beautifully designed private enclosure that they company is calling the Space Spa).

Space Perspective is on a mission to bring more humans to space than ever before. Working with NGOs and continuing to develop its carbon-neutral operational plan, the company hopes to create positive impact and a better future for the planet. Astronauts often return from missions with a deeper understanding of our home and humanity's place within it – many are compelled to get involved in environmental and societal issues. It's an insight that drives not only Space Perspective's employees, but also its expanding Explorer community.

The luxury experiences market is expected to double from $1T to $2T by 2030, and is seeing more emphasis placed on experiences vs. goods – including trends around transformative, sustainable and bespoke trips – for all age groups. With the world's growing high-net-worth population and adventure tourism on the rise as one of the fastest-accelerating tourism markets, Space Perspective finds itself well positioned as a first mover to capture the global demand in a severely supply constrained industry.

Now ready to resume test flights, the company is one giant leap closer.

Space Perspective aims to begin taking its more than 1,750 current ticket holders – more than any space tourism company – to the edge of space in 2025, and is expected to hit 4,000 seats sold – $400M in bookings – by the end of this year. Roughly 35% of its current customers can be attributed to international markets, but that number continues to grow. Initial flights will launch off the Space Coast of Florida. The company is currently in talks to bring operations to the Middle East, Asia, and Europe, where there is significant interest in participating in the new space economy and in bolstering regional cultural moments and offerings through space tourism and space activation.

A seat on Spaceship Neptune costs $125,000. A full capsule (eight seats) costs $1,000,000 and accounts for 50% of reservations within the travel trade industry, which plays an important role in securing these bookings. While tickets are sold out for the next few years, interested customers can discuss waitlists and upgrade options, especially for some of the earlier flights, by contacting fly@spaceperspective.com.

posted 09-19-2024 09:29 AM               

Space Perspective Successfully Completes Development Flight 2

The flight on September 15 marks milestones in space tourism with first of their kind innovations in marine spaceport technology, spacecraft design, and flight safety

Space Perspective, the world's first carbon-neutral spaceflight experience company, has successfully completed a full flight profile of its uncrewed Spaceship Neptune-Excelsior, the fully-operational test vehicle of the spaceship that will take Explorers to space. The flight, which launched from Marine Spaceport (MS) Voyager off the coast of St. Petersburg, Florida on September 15, 2024, is a demonstration of the industry-defining spacecraft Space Perspective has designed and built, and marks the next important benchmark on the way to crewed test flights.

Space Perspective's Spaceship Neptune-Excelsior capsule is lifted by the SpaceBalloon from the deck of MS Voyager, embarking on a historic test flight.Spaceship Neptune-Excelsior soars over the ocean, heralding a new era in sustainable space tourism.Space Perspective conducted a crucial wet dress rehearsal, testing the spacecraft's readiness aboard MS Voyager for its upcoming spaceflight.The intricate design and patented technology of Space Perspective's capsule, pictured on MS Voyager, set to revolutionize space travel.

The full flight profile demonstration began with a precise launch from MS Voyager, propelling Spaceship Neptune to an altitude of approximately 100,000 feet—above 99% of Earth's atmosphere. Over the course of the six-hour journey, the spacecraft reached its peak altitude before performing a controlled descent and splashdown, showcasing its full flight profile and validating key technological advancements.

"Completing Development Flight 2 is a defining moment for Space Perspective," said Taber MacCallum, Founder and CTO of Space Perspective. "I'm so proud of our devoted team who has worked relentlessly to execute this mission, drawing from their deep expertise and designing solutions for never-been-seen technologies. This uncrewed flight not only proves our pioneering technology but also brings us a giant leap closer to making space accessible for everyone and reaffirms our belief in the transformative power of space travel."

With the successful completion of Development Flight 2, Space Perspective has made significant advancements in several crucial areas. Key highlights of the flight demonstration include:

• Launch and Ascent: Utilizing Space Perspective's patented launch system aboard MS Voyager, the flight employed a novel four-roller mechanism to raise the balloon, which has never been done before. This innovative approach establishes a new standard for marine spaceports, enabling year-round, global spaceflight operations.

• Spaceship Neptune Capsule: The spacecraft-maintained cabin pressure and stability at peak altitude, confirming the safety, design and performance of the largest spaceflight capsule ever flown, with the largest windows ever flown. This achievement represents a significant leap in spacecraft engineering.

• Thermal Management: The flight highlighted the spacecraft's advanced thermal control system, effectively managing extreme temperature variations from the frigid upper atmosphere to intense solar heating, ensuring a comfortable environment inside the capsule for future Explorers.

• SpaceBalloon Performance: The flight demonstrated the successful use of hydrogen lift gas with the SpaceBalloon manufactured in house by Space Perspective, allowing the spacecraft to ascend to edge of space altitudes and descend safely, proving the viability of renewable lift gases.

• Mission Control and Retrieval: Managed from Mission Control, the flight validated proprietary software and communication systems. The retrieval process, involving a fast boat and crane, was executed seamlessly, facilitating a thorough post-flight inspection.

Jane Poynter, Founder of Space Perspective, added: "This flight successfully demonstrated the extraordinary accessibility of Spaceship Neptune's spaceflight experience with its gentle ascent, descent and splashdown, a critical step in opening space up to more people than ever before possible.

Our advances in marine spaceport technology, spacecraft design, and flight safety are setting truly new standards for the future of space exploration."

The data collected from Development Flight 2 will be instrumental in refining Space Perspective's digital twin technology. This technology will aid engineers in analyzing spacecraft systems, including the capsule structure and thermal control, and guide the development of future spacecraft designs. Data gathered from this flight demonstration will pave the way for the development of crewed test flights.

Space Perspective has raised $100M to date and is funded by a diverse portfolio of investors led by investment group, Prime Movers Lab, and other notable venture capital funds like LightShed Partners, E2MC, Base, Green Sands Equity, Kirenaga, and SpaceFund. With a mission to bring more humans to space than ever before, it aims to lead the market for commercial space travel by starting human flights in 2025, with commercial operations in 2026. A seat aboard Spaceship Neptune costs $125,000. 1,800+ tickets have been sold to date.

posted 10-17-2024 12:05 PM               

Sir Richard Branson to Co-Pilot First Crewed Flight for Space Perspective

Space Perspective, the world's first stratospheric balloon flight experience company, announces today that Sir Richard Branson will serve as co-pilot on its first crewed flight, bringing his unparalleled ballooning experience that led to record-breaking Atlantic and Pacific Ocean crossings to the organization.

Space Perspective's historic, uncrewed test flight took place in September, which successfully followed the same flight trajectory and altitude as future commercial flights. The pressurized capsule uses hydrogen- power to gently fly eight-passengers to 20 miles, floating at levels above the atmosphere never before achieved in a commercial balloon flight. The pioneering company is now entering its next phase of growth.

"We're delighted by Richard's decision to join Jane and I as co-pilot on the first crewed flight, leveraging his deep experience in ballooning to ensure a successful maiden voyage," said Taber MacCallum, Founder and CTO of Space Perspective.

"Richard's pioneering efforts in the ballooning industry were a key inspiration for us when we founded Space Perspective. We are now on a mission to give Explorers breathtaking views of the Earth against a black sky." added Jane Poynter, Founder of Space Perspective, "and do so gently in a way that only balloons enable."

Branson, a renowned entrepreneur, is no stranger to world-first adventures, having broken two ballooning world records crossing the Atlantic and Pacific oceans in 1987 and 1991 respectively.

Sir Richard Branson said Space Perspective has the potential to revolutionize balloon flying, opening a world of new possibilities for adventure-seekers all over the globe.

Said Branson, "Some of the most magnificent experiences of my life have happened on ballooning expeditions and I'm excited to support Space Perspective in its journey. I'm passionate about adventure and helping fellow entrepreneurs reach their business dreams. I look forward to dusting off my old ballooning license ahead of some magnificent test flights."

Branson has also, along with other investors, made an investment in the company. The investment will accelerate Space Perspective's development and test flight program and confirms its leadership position in affordable, hydrogen-powered, stratospheric ballooning.

Space Perspective's dedication to innovation is demonstrated by its robust patent por_olio, which includes 14 granted patents and covers all major systems. This includes the hydrogen-powered balloon, reserve descent system, the capsule structure and its large, vertical windows, the heat-rejecting radiator technology, and the Splashcone at the base of the capsule used to provide a gentle ocean landing and stabilization. These features, along with the distinction of being the first stratospheric balloon experience company developed without significant government funding, showcase Space Perspective's technological advancements.

Space Perspective has raised $100 million to date and is funded by a diverse por_olio of investors led by investment group Prime Movers Lab, and other notable venture capital funds like LightShed Partners, E2MC, Base, Green Sands Equity, Kirenaga, and SpaceFund. A standard reservation aboard Space Perspective's pressurized capsule is currently priced at USD $125,000. 1,800+ reservations have been made to date.