A balloon-carried capsule made by Tucson-based World View Enterprises floats above the Grand Canyon area in this artist’s rendering.
You are now free to walk about the capsule.
Tucson-based World View Enterprises has unveiled new details of its balloon-borne capsule designed to take tourists on stratospheric cruises starting in 2024.
And judging by the company’s plans, the balloon trips will be a lot more relaxing — and deluxe — than the brief rides to space and back Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic are offering.
World View debuted its new spaceflight capsule prototype this week with a full-size exterior mockup of the capsule at a business expo that is part of South by Southwest, the weeklong compendium of media and music festivals and conferences held annually in Austin, Texas.
The interior of World View's stratospheric tourist capsule is big enough to walk around in and features larger windows, a galley, bar and lavatory.
The company also shared new renderings of the interior of the craft, which was designed by Tucson-based Dzyne Technologies and London-based aircraft interior designer PriestmanGoode.
The exterior of the World View space capsule is shaped like a faceted hexagon with softened edges and oversized windows, while the inside features paired seating for eight passengers plus a pilot and concierge.
The capsule is climate-controlled and pressurized with an entire interior designed to maximize space, allowing passengers to move freely about the capsule during balloon-powered flights that will reach 100,000 feet and last 6 to 12 hours before the craft is piloted back to Earth by parachute.
Food and beverage service will be offered aloft, and the capsule features a restroom.
Passengers won’t experience the weightlessness of space, but they will get to see stratospheric sights like the curvature of the Earth and the line that marks the beginning of the vacuum of space.
Tucson-based World View Enterprises showed off a mockup of its new stratospheric balloon passenger capsule at the Creative Industries Expo at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas, from March 13-16. The company plans to begin taking tourists to 100,000 feet in the capsule for a ticket price of $50,000 starting in 2024.
“Unveiling our space capsule prototype is a pivotal moment for the company as we continue to prepare for our first launch from the Grand Canyon in just two short years,” said Ryan Hartman, president and CEO of World View.
The company plans manned test flights in 2023 and is taking $500 deposits for flight tickets that cost $50,000 each on its website, worldview.space.
Tucson-based World View Enterprises showed off a mockup of its new stratospheric balloon passenger capsule at the Creative Industries Expo at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas, from March 13-16. The company plans to begin taking tourists to 100,000 feet in the capsule for a ticket price of $50,000 starting in 2024.
The interior of World View's stratospheric tourist capsule is big enough to walk around in and features larger windows, a galley, bar and lavatory.
A World View pilot will sit at a control console and guide the balloon-borne craft to a parachute landing after flights lasting six to 12 hours.
Elliptical windows 6½ feet wide provide uninterrupted vistas of Earth from all passenger seats, while a "sky window" above provides an optimal view above the capsule when seats are in a reclined position.
Starting in 2024, Tucson-based World View Enterprises plans to take up to eight tourists at a time to heights of 100,000 feet in a pressurized capsule.
Passengers on World View's balloon flights will have virtually 360-degree views of the sky and space.
A pilot will guide the World View balloon craft to a controlled landing via parachute.
Contact senior reporter David Wichner at dwichner@tucson.com or 520-573-4181. On Twitter: @dwichner. On Facebook: Facebook.com/DailyStarBiz
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David joined the Star in 1997, after working as a consumer and business reporter in Phoenix for more than a decade. A graduate of Ohio University, he has covered most business beats focusing on technology, defense and utilities. He has won several awards.
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A balloon-carried capsule made by Tucson-based World View Enterprises floats above the Grand Canyon area in this artist’s rendering.
The interior of World View's stratospheric tourist capsule is big enough to walk around in and features larger windows, a galley, bar and lavatory.
Tucson-based World View Enterprises showed off a mockup of its new stratospheric balloon passenger capsule at the Creative Industries Expo at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas, from March 13-16. The company plans to begin taking tourists to 100,000 feet in the capsule for a ticket price of $50,000 starting in 2024.
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