Since we (as a collective civilization), pioneered space travel, only a select few are able to get into outer space: pretty much entirely astronauts working with a Federal budget. However if you happen to find yourself in the majority of people who are not astronauts, you most likely will no be able to experience what it is like to go to outer space. Well, a company based out of Arizona can help you achieve this dream with an technologically advanced helium ballon.
The company World View has plans to offer potential buyers a trip of their lives. They have been testing a massive helium ballon to carry a space-proof pod up to altitudes of 100,000 feet. While this is not technically “outer space” it is extremely close to it. From this altitude passengers would be able to experience the curvature of the Earth and see the infinite void of blackness that is space. Stars are actually somewhat difficult to see from here as the Sun is a lot brighter and that light is also reflected from the Earth and the Moon. Due to this fact it is actually difficult for astronauts to see the stars from up there.
The company wanted to offer people a way to travel as close to space as possible, but also change the way people view space travel. They want this trip to be comfortable and luxurious. When using a ballon you gradually rise up at a slow pace, rather than being blasted in a rocket, where one would experience heavy amounts of G-force. Additionally World View also has plans to incorporate a bar and other luxury features into the space pod itself.
The company plans to make flights available to consumers as early as 2016. They are competing with a few other private space companies that offer trips for pleasure such as Virgin Galactic and XCOR Aerospace. However don’t get too excited about these trips unless you are very wealth. World View says that their trip will cost around $75,000 per ticket fro the 4-5 hour long journey.
Photo from worldviewexperience.com
