There are initiatives to "democratize the universe" and lower the cost of space travel.
Want to observe Mother Earth in all her splendor from a great height but are unable to pay Space X and Virgin Galactic's exorbitant costs? The great news from this week could be for you.
A Japanese start-up intends to "democratize the cosmos" and expand access to space, it was revealed at a press conference in Tokyo on February 21.
Iwaya Giken CEO Keisuke Iwaya left, and Takayuki Hanasaka, Senior Managing Executive Officer of JTB, pose for a photo after introducing a two-seater cabin and a balloon that the company claims is capable of ascending to an altitude of 15 miles, or roughly the middle of the stratosphere, on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, in Tokyo.
The initiative, which has been in the works for more than ten years, is being sponsored by the northern Japanese company Iwaya Giken. Now that things are looking good, the first set of eager space explorers may be taking in the curvature of the planet by the end of 2023.
Ever dreamed of travelling into the stratosphere? This Japanese startup is making that dream a reality. https://t.co/7Gx3Fb5pkr pic.twitter.com/paCKyypMSa
— Condé Nast Traveller (@cntraveller) February 23, 2023
When the project is ready to be used commercially, the big Japanese travel agency JTB Corp. has said it will help with sales.
The space balloons are big enough to carry two people comfortably, and they are powered by helium that can be used again. It is a much more environmentally friendly way to do space tourism than what some of the big players are doing.
The lodge
While the plane is 15 miles above the earth, passengers won't be in space, but the numerous wide windows allow them to see the planet's curvature. If the skies are clear, you can also view the landscapes below, both man-made and natural. Passengers are transported at this height, which is twice as high as the typical commercial aircraft, to the stratosphere.
After spending an hour at the highest point, the passengers will slowly descend to Earth.
CEO of a Japanese space development business Keisuke Iwaya
Initial costs for trips into space on the cutting-edge balloon are expected to be approximately £150,000. But, according to firm CEO Keisuke Iwaya, this will eventually cost only tens of thousands of dollars.
OMG!😱 Whatever you do - DO NOT TAKE THIS "BALLOON" RIDE!!! 😬
— Julie Marie Newton (@JulieMarieNewt1) February 25, 2023
Japanese startup unveils balloon flight space viewing tours https://t.co/yrJmp8TUhM via @physorg_com
The application period for the space observation ride, which opens today and closes at the end of August, has begun. Flights are going to leave one week apart, with the first five passengers to be revealed in October, weather permitting.
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