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Astronauts might have gotten used to being shot into space in a glorified oil drum, but now that billionaires are bopping into space, a stinky capsule just won’t do.

Space Perspective plans to start flight tests of its new Neptune capsule in the next few months, and space tourists can expect a first-class experience with custom recliners, a bar, and big windows to enjoy the view.

The 4.8-metre diameter sphere, with an internal volume of 56 square metres, is moving from concept to reality for the space balloon tourism company, which plans to launch its first manned flight by the end of this year.

The Florida company describes the new capsule as the “largest-size human launch spacecraft in operation,” stating it is about twice the size of Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo, Blue Origin’s New Shepard, and four times the size of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon.

 Aboard you’ll find plush seating, interactive lighting and sound systems, a bar for sky-high toasts and sensors and screens offering in-depth science data about your flight. Plants and herbs brought onboard, such as lavender, basil and rosemary, are also used in food and drink prep.

 

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Space Perspective‘s journey from concept to functioning capsule prototype, which will be used to test equipment rather than carry people, included tens of thousands of computations, the construction of an in-house manufacturing facility, and the design of an interior that was both ‘aesthetically pleasing to a high-end client’ while also able to withstand the impact when the capsule splashed down in the ocean.

Taber MacCallum, who co-founded Space Perspective with his wife in 2019 says the flooring of the capsule was the most challenging part. “When the sphere pressurizes, it wants to grow a bit, but as we go through the tropopause where it’s minus-80 degrees Celsius, it wants to shrink—and then grow again at the much hotter edge of space.”

“The floor must also withstand the impact of a water landing as well as the shock of participants dancing as they sip cocktails and celebrate the Earth’s curve at altitude.”

The engineering of the windows was also a problem, not only to allow participants to see well in the bright sunshine on the edge of space, but also to determine where they would mingle while they enjoy the view.

“We first thought they’d all want their own windows, but then realised it’ll be as much about interacting with each other, so we set up the seats in two semicircles,” he said.

The capsule will go through ground testing for the next four to six weeks before embarking on its first test flight, which will simulate the same altitude and conditions as future commercial trips. The flights include being scooped up from the water by its ship, MS Voyager, which will also act as a launchpad and house a mission control station for 42 people.

Following some modifications, the next test capsule will be for human testing—with a finished ‘luxe interior’. Eventually, the start-up plans to organize multiple flights per week along the Florida coast from its headquarters on Cape Canaveral, with long-term plans to set up facilities in other parts of the world.

The company said in July it has sold more than 1,600 seats, representing about $200 million in sales.

 

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Jeff Bezos’ rocket is going to need a bigger glans.

[source:robbreport]