Everything You Need to Know About Space Balloons

If you want to see it all, and have an excessive amount of cash, then you may want to consider space tourism. Space balloons, which basically resemble hot air balloons, offer a cheaper way for tourists to visit space. Well, as close to space as a space balloon can get. Currently, they can only travel to just above the Earth’s atmosphere. Still, you’ll be able to see a view that few people ever see — a view that includes the “thin blue line” of the Earth’s atmosphere, the vastness of space, and an impressive sunrise.

One goal of space tourism is to offer people an additional perspective of their world, a chance for reflection — perhaps a way to examine their place in the universe. This experience is certainly a once in a lifetime opportunity that few (mainly astronauts) have had.

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How Space Balloons Work

As you may have guessed, space balloon travel isn’t a fast-paced adventure. Assuming appropriate weather conditions, it can take nearly two hours for a space balloon to reach its peak altitude. You’ll then have about two hours to enjoy the view before the balloon must return to Earth. As mentioned, the entire process is similar to that of a hot air balloon. If you thought that the view from an airplane was incredible, wait until you see the view from a space balloon.

You could also think of space balloons as a type of mini cruise, though the experience itself will be more similar to flying on an airplane. The balloons will have a crew, restrooms, and even a dining area. If this type of tourism proves successful, the future could hold entertainment, as well as other activities, on board. They may even be able to last in space longer in the future, and effectively become a type of space vacation.

The Safety of Space Balloons

There are many different ways that companies can improve the safety of space balloons. The balloons will be equipped with backup parachutes, a pressurized environment, and may require passengers to wear spacesuits. Additional safety measures are still being discussed, as space balloon test runs continue.

World View Enterprises

World View has been testing space balloon flight for a few years now, with their first successful trial run taking place in 2015. Currently, they hope to launch space tourism via space balloons in 2017 for an estimated $75,000 per person. This is a fraction of the price that Virgin Galactic charges ($250,000), and significantly less than other estimated spaceflight prices, which could be millions of dollars. In the future, space tourism might become the new luxury vacation for the curious elite.