Company Plans to Take Passengers to Edge of Space in a Balloon

A new company is planning to take passengers to the edge of space inside a pressurized capsule hanging beneath a massive helium balloon. The balloon, which is as big as a football stadium, will carry 10,000 pounds to the stratosphere, reaching an altitude of 100,000 feet. The trip will last up to 12 hours and cost $50,000 per seat, with 8 passengers and 2 crew members.

The capsule will feature massive windows, Wi-Fi, a bar, and a restroom. Passengers will not go weightless, but will be able to see the curvature of the earth and the stars in broad daylight. Nearly 250 people have pre-ordered tickets for the trip, which will launch from seven sites, including the Grand Canyon, the Great Barrier Reef, and the Great Wall of China.

This is a very different trip than the rocket rides of Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic and Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin, which are selling trips to space for about three minutes at a cost of nearly half million dollars. The balloon trip with eight passengers and two crew members will last up to 12 hours starting at $50,000 per seat. Already 250 people have pre-ordered tickets. There are no spacesuits on this trip; this will feature a shirt-sleeve environment, so just like you're in an airplane you can be comfortable without any spacesuits or special equipment.

The first flights are expected to lift off in about two years.

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