Future travel: Fly in a giant hot air balloon in the stratosphere but the price is super expensive, $ 50,000 / ticket

If there is not enough money for future space travel, this form of watching outer space from the stratosphere on a hot air balloon will be a good choice for many people.

An American company is hoping to transport passengers to Earth's stratosphere in a giant helium-filled balloon the size of a football field.

A ticket to visit like this costs about 50,000 USD (about 1.1 billion VND).

The hot air balloon will fly to an altitude of about 30,480 meters, or more than 3km above the ground, and carry a large passenger compartment. From here, passengers can zoom out into space and feel the curvature and atmosphere of the Earth.

The idea is being developed by World View, an Arizona company. It is estimated that a ticket to visit like this costs about 50,000 USD (about 1.1 billion VND).

World View flights are expected to begin in 2024 and will take off from locations close to some of the wonders of the world, including the Grand Canyon in Arizona, US or the Great Barrier Reef. in Australia and the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.

Dale Hipsh, the company's president of travel and exploration, said the experience will provide passengers with a holistic experience and change the way you think about the planet and the universe.

'What we want through balloon flights to the stratosphere at an altitude of more than 3km is for explorers to see the curvature of the Earth and the thin blue line of the sky,' says Hipsh. separating the atmosphere from the dark outer space".

What World View aims to do is to differentiate itself from other space travel companies by offering luxurious experiences.

On the day of the balloon launch, everyone will board the capsule with enough space for 8 passengers and 2 crew members a few hours before sunrise.

Everyone will board the cabin with enough space for 8 passengers and 2 crew members.

Fifteen minutes after takeoff, the curvature of the Earth will become more apparent. It will take about 2 hours to climb to the edge of space, after which the balloon will hover at maximum height so that passengers can enjoy the view before landing.

The flight will last between 6-8 hours, but the ticket also includes a five-day experience in boutique hotels, exploring natural sites close to takeoff, dining at local restaurants, spas, yoga and other attractions. other activities.

Mr. Hipsh said tickets from the Grand Canyon parking lot are now sold out for 2024.

Other launch sites are being built and planned, including at the Serengeti in Kenya, Norway, where the aurora can be seen, Amazonia in Brazil, a site near the Great Wall of China and near Kim Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.

'Our intention is to provide a wide range of activities to experience the specific destinations in which passengers are,' Mr. Hipsh added.

Passengers will not experience zero gravity during the flight because the cabin is pressurized, air-conditioned and large enough for guests to move around.

World View is a company that has more than 7 years of experience with stratospheric flights.

Although the balloon did not go into space, the US Federal Aviation Administration still classified it as a spacecraft because of the altitude it would reach.

Food and drink will be fully served and there will be private toilets on board. Also inside the cabin are reclining seats, large windows for 360-degree views, high-speed data connections and telescopes.

World View is a company that has more than 7 years of experience with stratospheric flights. The company is operating Stratollites, a special type of airship that carries goods and people, for long journeys.

The manufacturer said that the entire flight system and technology of the balloon have been patented and guaranteed to be safe. Also, there are always backup measures in case something goes wrong.

Balloon when returning to the surface of the land.

The landing gear uses an air cushion system, ensuring a smooth landing.

Currently, in addition to World View, there are many space tourism companies that are deploying this service. Take Space Perspective, for example, a company in the business of transporting passengers to the stratosphere in hot air balloons. The price per flight is $125,000. The flights will take off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida and also reach an altitude of 3km. The service is expected to start operating in 2024. However, flights are fully booked until 2025.

Or Blue Origin, a private space company owned by Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos, is launching suborbital flights and passengers can experience weightlessness for about four minutes.