Eating is always fun. Imagine how much more fun it will be eating lunch at the edge of space. It would also be fantastic if calories didn’t count in space. The only way you will feel a tad bit weightless is by unloading $132,000 per person on Zephalto’s low-carbon journey to space in a stratospheric balloon. That kind of money will get you a six-hour round trip to the edge of space with unseen spectacular space views and high-end French food coupled with lip-smacking Gallic wines. “I partnered with the French space agency, and we worked on the concept of the balloon together,” says Zephalto founder and aerospace engineer Vincent Farret d’Astiès.
Zephalto balloons filled with helium or hydrogen will carry passengers and two pilots to rise 25 kilometers into the stratosphere. At peak altitude, the space balloon will remain stationary for 90 minutes while guests soak in the view and indulge in merriment on the greatest ride of their life. “We choose 25 kilometers high because it’s the altitude where you are in the darkness of space, with 98% of the atmosphere below you so that you can enjoy the curvature of the Earth in the blue line. You’re in the darkness of space, but without the zero gravity experience,” stated Farret d’Astiès.
The French startup understands Earthlings need wifi more than food and wine today. Zephalto space balloons will be equipped with wifi to share the out-of-the-world experience with everyone in your social circle. “You need psychological preparation,” Farret d’Astiès adds. “We know from the 600 people who have gone above this altitude that seeing Earth in the darkness is an experience that can be emotional.” Zephalto is planning on 60 flights a year. With three test flights already conducted, it will only be a matter of time before they successfully reach the 15.5-mile mark. Meanwhile, you can work or accumulate $132,000, or it’s double.
