Space Perspective

Spaceship Neptune and all Space Perspective operations are regulated by the FAA and the Coast Guard. The FAA regulates Spaceship Neptune as a spacecraft because the environment the capsule operates in is akin to that of low-Earth orbit—and so, the capsule has been designed and engineered to protect its passengers from the harsh conditions of space. Inside the pressurized capsule, you will find environmental control and life support, pressure control, thermal control, and other systems. Similar to the International Space Station, no space suit is required when onboard the flight. #spaceperspective #overvieweffect #safety #engineering #design

As the world’s first carbon-neutral spaceflight experience, our efforts to offer transformative flights to the edge of space are built on the foundation of sustainability. Spaceship Neptune is a plug-in electric capsule that uses renewable hydrogen. Instead of accelerating to space with high-energy rockets that fight against gravity, Spaceship Neptune uses gravity through buoyancy. The gas inside the SpaceBalloon is lighter than the surrounding air so it literally lifts the balloon and capsule up to come to equilibrium above 99% of Earth’s atmosphere where it floats, like an ice cube floating on water. To descend, Neptune releases a tiny amount of gas that turns into water, so the vehicle is near-zero emissions. It utilizes aviation-grade lithium batteries to run all systems on board. All parts of the spacecraft are designed to be used many times, outside of our SpaceBalloon™— which is recycled after each flight and upcycled when possible. We continually work to reduce our overall carbon footprint. Our operations still produce carbon emissions, which we offset through scientifically verified carbon credits such as projects like Cool Effects that remove our CO2 from the atmosphere for us. The projects we selected protect the coastline and create nurseries for fish and other wildlife. #spaceperspective #overvieweffect #sustainability #design #engineering #oneplanetonemission

Spaceship Neptune has been designed and manufactured to be one of the safest, most accessible, and sustainable spacecrafts. Countless hours of engineering and design by our expert team have gone into the creation of this innovative spacecraft. Here are a few things that make Spaceship Neptune one-of-a-kind: - Its spherical shape creates the ideal pressure vessel and roomiest interior, measuring 16 feet (4.9 meters) in diameter and a pressurized volume of more than 2,000 cubic feet (60 cubic meters) - Every major component of the spacecraft is covered by a patent - Its Space Lounge comfortably fits 8 Explorers and a Captain and is complete with a restroom, bar, Wi-Fi, and highly engineered seats - There are 15 repeating, UV-reflective windows that offer 360° panoramic views in every direction - Advanced thermal control system manages extreme temperature variations and keeps Explorers comfortable throughout the entire flight - The all-electric capsule is propelled gently to space by our SpaceBalloon™, which is filled with renewable hydrogen and recycled or upcycled after post-flight retrieval #spaceperspective #overvieweffect #engineering #innovation #luxury #design

At about 550 feet long and with a volume of a little over 24 million cubic feet, our SpaceBalloon™ is truly a feat of engineering and meticulous construction. The material of each SpaceBalloon™ is a specifically engineered, thoroughly tested, and exceptionally tough polymer designed to withstand extreme conditions In the Stratosphere. The production of our SpaceBalloons™ is no simple task and involves an extensive manufacturing process, all done in our Loren G. Seely SpaceBalloon™ manufacturing facility—named after the late Loren Seely for his pioneering work in ballooning and mentorship of our Balloon lead, Mitzi Giles. Assembly is done by individually joining each of the gores together, which are the segments of material that make up the balloon, ensuring airtight bonds without compromising the integrity of the material. There are a variety of sensors and quality checks to verify each seal meets strict requirements. From there, load members are added to the balloon for reinforcement and stress distribution, creating a strong and stable framework. Once everything is constructed and exhaustively inspected, the SpaceBalloon™ is packed up and ready to be transported to MS Voyager for flight. #spaceperspective #overvieweffect #spaceballoon #design #safety #engineering #innovation

Take a look at our post-flight retrieval process from Development Flight 2, where our fast boats meet the capsule to stabilize it and prep for it to be lifted back onto the deck of MS Voyager by our custom-built, 52-foot A-frame. This process is expected to take around 20 minutes from splashdown to Explorer disembarkation. #spaceperspective #overvieweffect #engineering #safety #design #innovation

Spaceship Neptune was designed for splashdowns because it’s an inherently safer option compared to ground landings. There’s more room to land with less objects to interfere, and the ocean provides natural cushioning. Splashdowns have been utilized for decades by NASA and more recently adopted by SpaceX. Upon descent, we control our SpaceBalloon™ to precisely predict the ocean landing spot for each flight. Our patented Splashcone located at the bottom of the capsule helps to break the surface tension of the water, ensuring a low-impact, safe landing. Once in the water, the Splashcone fills up and acts as a stabilizer for the capsule as the fast boats come to assist with retrieval. From the moment splashdown occurs, we aim to have the capsule back onto the deck of MS Voyager and Explorers departing from Spaceship Neptune in ~20 minutes. #spaceperspective #overvieweffect #engineering #design #safety #innovation

Today, we celebrate Carl Sagan Day, the birthday of the profound scientist, astrophysicist, astronomer, philosopher, advocate, and science communicator. Sagan was a master of cosmic perspective and made significant contributions to the understanding of planetary science and the exploration of space. Through his work and writings, he continues to inspire and influence generations of scientists, thinkers, and astronomers decades after his passing. Join us in remembering Carl Sagan and his impact by reading one of his works or baking an apple pie (a nod to his famous quote from Cosmos and a symbol of Sagan’s approach to explaining complex scientific concepts in relatable ways). Photo taken by Peter Morenus/Cornell University, courtesy of Druyan-Sagan Associates, Inc. #carlsagan #carlsaganday #science #sciencecommunicator #astronomy #overvieweffect #inspiration

After launching from Marine Spaceport (MS) Voyager, Spaceship Neptune gently ascends to an apogee of 100,000 feet (30,480 meters). From this altitude, Explorers will be treated to unparalleled views of Earth. During Development Flight 2 in September, we captured these breathtaking perspectives at increasing altitudes of the ascent Explorers will see from the comforts of the Space Lounge. #spaceperspective #overvieweffect #view #experience #design #luxury #innovation

Mission patches carry a rich history and deep significance for spaceflight missions. First adopted by NASA astronauts in 1965, they symbolize the goals, crew, and unique aspects of each flight, and are a way to commemorate the mission. In continuing with this tradition, our team designed this flight patch for Spaceship Neptune’s first uncrewed test flight in September. These patches were flown aboard the capsule and journeyed to 100,000 feet and back. The design features our full flight experience, with the capsule and SpaceBalloon™ floating over Earth, and MS Voyager in the ocean below. This patch commemorates a major milestone in Space Perspective’s journey, and will be distributed to crew members and our Explorer community. These patches were produced by A-B Emblem, the exclusive supplier of mission patches for NASA since 1960, when they made the first NASA “Meatball” logo patch. They’ve also produced numerous patches for Virgin Galactic and Space-X. #spaceperspective #overvieweffect #design #patch #flight

Today we celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the record-breaking StratEx space jump by former Google executive, pilot, and current Space Perspective board member, Alan Eustace. Eustace, in partnership with Paragon Space Development Corporation©—at the time, led by Space Perspective Founders Jane Poynter and Taber MacCallum and included several other, now-current Space Perspective employees—worked together to break world records with this jump. Together, they created a zero-pressure balloon to carry Eustace to 41,422 meters (~135,890 feet), as well as a pressurized suit to keep him safe on ascent into and descent out of the stratosphere. On this jump, Alan broke the FAI record for exit altitude (previously held by Felix Baumgartner during the Red Bull Stratos jump), and set the records for distance fallen with a drogue device and maximum vertical speed with a drogue device. Beyond breaking records, the suit and systems developed were important in furthering technology for stratospheric exploration. StratEx Record Stats: Exit Altitude - 41,422 meters (~135,890 feet) Distance of fall with a drogue - 37,623 meters (~123,435 feet) Maximum vertical speed with drogue - 1,320 km/h (~820 mph) If you're interested in learning more about the record-breaking jump, check out "14 Minutes from Earth", a great documentary that goes in depth on the StratEx program. #alaneustace #stratex #spacedive #worldrecords #safety #design #engineering.

An important, but sometimes overlooked, part of our operations is our fast boats. These boats assist Marine Spaceport (MS) Voyager in the stabilization and retrieval of Spaceship Neptune after it splashes down in the ocean, post-flight. After splashdown, the fast boats are deployed by MS Voyager’s onboard crane so they can promptly get to the capsule and stabilize it. Our crew aboard the fast boats then set up rigging lines, which allow the capsule to be lifted back onto Voyager by the custom-built, 52-foot A-frame located on the stern. #spaceperspective #overvieweffect #engineering #innovation #design

Space Perspective is excited to announce that @richardbranson will co-pilot Space Perspective’s first crewed test flight next year, alongside Founder, Jane Poynter and Founder and CTO, Taber MacCallum. This comes after our historic Development Flight 2 in September, where our test capsule, gently propelled by our hydrogen-powered balloon successfully completed its full flight profile, a six-hour nominal flight from launch to landing. This extraordinary achievement will be followed by a series of additional uncrewed test flights and furthers us on our path toward crewed flights and commercialization. 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. He said Space Perspective has the potential to revolutionize balloon flying, opening a world of new possibilities for adventure-seekers all over the globe. “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,” said Branson. Branson has also, along with other investors, made an investment in Space Perspective, which will help to accelerate our development and test flight program, confirming our leadership position in sustainable, stratospheric balloon travel. #spaceperspective #richardbranson #sustainability #innovation #adventure #achievement

Leading up to Development Flight 2, we performed several comprehensive tests of all our systems to ensure successful operations. One of these was our mass simulator test, where we successfully moved a full-size model of our SpaceBalloon™ through our patented launch system aboard Marine Spaceport (MS) Voyager. This launch system uses special rollers to carefully guide the balloons as they stand tall on the ship’s deck during fill. This innovative design makes launching much more manageable and has a smaller footprint compared to traditional launch methods. #spaceperspective #overvieweffect #engineering #innovation #design #safety #spaceballoon

Check out the journey Spaceship Neptune-Excelsior made a few weeks ago from our Mission Control at the Space Coast Regional Airport to Marine Spaceport (MS) Voyager at Port Canaveral, ahead its recent Development Flight 2 launch. The transit through Kennedy Space Center and along the Space Coast reminds us of the long-standing space heritage that inspires our mission of bringing the transformative power of space travel to more humans than ever before. #spaceperspective #overvieweffect #engineering #design #safety #innovation

Take a behind-the-scenes look at our recent milestone—Development Flight 2. This full-scale flight test successfully tested a multitude of key systems needed to safely launch the capsule to 100,000 ft (30,480 m) and bring it back in a controlled descent to ocean splashdown. The completion of this flight kicks off a series of further uncrewed test flights that will examine every possible corner case as well as test our redundancy systems to ensure the safest future operations as we progress toward crewed test flights and commercialization. Spaceship Neptune is poised to offer a transformative six-hour experience to the edge of space. Propelled by our SpaceBalloon™, it will carry Explorers at a gentle 12 mph (~19 kph) pace. Aboard, you will find a comfortable and luxurious experience—complete with a Space Lounge, a proper restroom, and even a bar. Explorers can enjoy the life-changing experience with fellow passengers or share it with friends and family Earthside through the capsule’s Wi-Fi. Watch the full video here👇 bit.ly/4dklMHm #spaceperspective #overvieweffect #design #engineer #wonder #awe #flight #milestone

Last Thursday, Marine Spaceport (MS) Voyager arrived back to Port Canaveral, marking the completion of Spaceship Neptune-Excelsior's first full-scale flight test and our second overall uncrewed flight test. Voyager successfully launched and retrieved our FAA-regulated Excelsior capsule before returning to port. The flight was a major milestone and paves the way towards further flight tests. On its return, Voyager was greeted by Space Perspective crew and their families, as well as a fireboat performing a ceremonial water salute—a maritime and aviation tradition for maiden voyages, first arrivals or departures.

Many people ask what the view looks like at our 100,000-foot apogee. From this height, Explorers will be able to see the thin blue line of the Earth’s atmosphere. More commonly referred to as the “Overview Effect” by authors and astronauts, we call it “The Space Perspective. This shot was captured looking out from Spaceship Neptune-Excelsior during our recent test flight. You can see the side of the capsule as well as the Earth. This view spans on endlessly and reminds us of the fragility and beauty of our planet. Our capsule is gently propelled to the edge of space by our SpaceBalloon™ at 12mph (~19.3 kph), giving Explorers two hours to soak in the view while at apogee. Inside the capsule, there is freedom to move around and take in 360° views from the largest windows flown to space, enjoy a drink, or take a moment to yourself in the Space Spa. #spaceperspective #overvieweffect #innovation #design #beyond #pioneer #milestone #luxury

With the successful first flight of Spaceship Neptune-Excelsior (and second overall uncrewed test demonstration) completed; we take a moment to reflect on the extraordinary accomplishments that have been completed. In just a few short years, our world-class team of engineers has designed and built a SpaceBalloon™, a fully operational, first-of-its-kind capsule that is supported by our reserve descent system, and retrofitted the first marine spaceport for human spaceflight, MS Voyager. All of this has culminated in the recent launch of Excelsior, a capsule that will provide Explorers with a safe, gentle, and transformative ride to space. Our work continues to pioneer a new way to experience space travel. We are one step closer towards our mission of making space accessible to more humans than ever before.

Space Perspective has successfully completed a historic flight demonstration of Spaceship Neptune-Excelsior, the fully-operational test vehicle that will take Explorers to space. Around sunrise on Sunday, it launched from the deck of Marine Spaceport (MS) Voyager, propelled by our SpaceBalloon™ to ~100,000 feet (~30 km). Over the course of several hours, our engineering teams monitored and controlled the capsule, eventually bringing it down through a controlled descent and splashdown. This flight tested a multitude of systems, including launch & ascent through our patented launch system aboard MS Voyager, cabin pressure and stability at peak altitude aboard the capsule, our Environmental Control and Life Support systems, and all aspects of our SpaceBalloon™, including the material performance and our patent pending venting mechanisms. We also tested capsule communications with Mission Control and Voyager. While these are just a few of the many complex systems, the entire flight profile was successfully executed and all systems operated nominally. The data received will be analyzed and applied to future flights and iterations of the capsule as we prepare for additional uncrewed flights, and crewed test flights in the future. #spaceperspective #overvieweffect #space #milestone #launch #engineering #design #safety #luxury #travel #innovation