The interest and curiosity in space tourism continues to increase day by day. Space travel is now evolving into a more commercialized industry that offers space experience to ordinary people, rather than merely serving a scientific purpose. While companies such as Elon Musk’s company SpaceX and Richard Branson’s company Virgin Galactic are contributing to this growing interest, smaller companies that we do not hear so often are also operating in this field.
Now, a space balloon startup that plans to fly paying customers ‘to the edge of space’ by 2024 is reportedly the world’s most preferred space tourism company, taking its 1,000th customer. The Tucson, Arizona-based company called World View stands out with the price of $ 50,000 per seat in space balloons, which is actually quite a reasonable amount as it is roughly one-ninth the price of a space flight ticket with the famous space tourism company Virgin Galactic. means it is.
Will carry its customers 37 kilometers above the Earth
Based on the principle of working with helium-filled balloons, World View is that full space tourism where your feet are swept off the ground in a zero-gravity environment. It aims to take its customers 37 kilometers above the Earth, almost three times the cruising altitude of a passenger jet. However, at this altitude, it will be possible to observe the curvature of the Earth as well as the star-filled darkness of the sky, according to a statement made by the company on Wednesday.
Moreover, the company plans to launch flights from some of the most spectacular destinations in the world, such as the Grand Canyon, the Great Coral Reef and Egypt’s famous pyramids, to increase interest and appeal for the venture. In fact, according to a statement made by the company, it is reported that all flights from the Grand Canyon spaceport have already been sold for their first year.
Much cheaper and more accessible than competitors
World View CEO and President Ryan Hartman, who spoke about their success, said in a statement: “Reaching 1,000 reservations. underlines the passion, excitement and interest in this unique experience that World View has to offer.” “The fact that the Grand Canyon spaceport flight was sold for the first year also demonstrates market demand and growing interest in space tourism,” he says. he adds.
World View, on the other hand, isn’t just for flying into close space; At the same time, the company stands out for being more accessible than priest companies to enter the waiting list. For example, Virgin Galactic charges a deposit of $150,000, while World View only requires a deposit of $500 from its customers.