‘Near-Space Tourism’ via Balloon May Be Coming in 2024
A Japanese startup aims to take passengers 15.5 miles above sea level in an airtight capsule fixed to a helium balloon that offers a space tourism-like experience without the same price tag of firms like Virgin Galactic.
As space tourism becomes a possibility for travelers looking to escape the atmosphere, a Japanese startup aims to offer something just slightly closer to Earth. Iwaya was founded to make “near-space tourism by balloon” a reality. Its ultimate goal is to build a helium-filled balloon that can carry passengers 15.5 miles above the ground, which the company says will offer the best views of Earth without actually going into space (“outer space” is generally considered to start about 62 miles above sea level).
PR TIMES
A test flight in late July took an Iwaya staff member up 19,921 feet in a single-seat cabin measuring about 3.5 feet wide and 5 feet high, attached to a large balloon. The cabin is made of airtight plastic that controls air pressure and temperatures, and is equipped with systems that allow passengers to breathe at high altitudes. With further development, Iwaya says a larger balloon will help the vessel reach higher heights. The startup hopes to reach that 15.5-mile altitude goal by the end of 2023 and to launch its first commercial flight in March 2024. The Iwaya voyage will cost $164,000 per passenger, more affordable than true space tourism offerings from the likes of Virgin Galactic at about $450,000 per person.
