A Spanish company announces that it is preparing to organize space travel with the balloon. Tourists will pay less than in the case of a missile trip and, during the trip, will stay in a capsule hanging from a helium balloon. The first trips with tourists should take place in 2023. The helium balloon seriously competes with the rockets of Elon Musk or Jeff Bezos, in the fight for space tourism. A Spanish company specializing in experiential tourism wants to popularize space travel at a much more competitive price. EOS-X Space promises that from 2023 it will take people into space with the balloon, and the first tests with people on board the capsule will be done next year.
“A person can be lifted to the stratosphere in a pressurized capsule” The company’s founder, Kemel Kharbachi, says the idea came to him after the feat of 8 years ago of Felix Baumgarten, who climbed up to 39 thousand meters with a capsule hanging from a helium balloon. The experience offered by EOS-X Space will last several hours, during which tourists will admire, from the pressurized capsule, the curvature of the Earth and the darkness of outer space. The services will even include internet access, and the experience is designed to capture unexpected moments such as a marriage proposal, outside of Earth.
“We found it interesting then that a person can be lifted to the stratosphere in a pressurized capsule, lifted by a helium balloon , and to an altitude of 39 km. If the future husband removes the ring at 40 km altitude, there will be no problem. Everything will be recorded in 360 and relatives or friends will be able to see it, because it will be broadcast online. It is a complete experience in terms of space travel. There will be more activities and it will not be just the simple ascent into the pressurized capsule. Our target is much more comprehensive. The cost is lower. The company is sustainable because we do not fly with a rocket, but with a helium balloon “, said Kemel Kharbachi, founder of EOS-X Space, according to Mediafax.
Tourism of experiences accessible to many people
EOS-X Space aims to turn helium ballooning into experience tourism accessible to many people. Work is already underway on the first four launch bases, which will be in the Middle East, Spain, and North America. Tourists will be received a few days in advance and will enjoy a real circuit of experiences. Business travel will begin in 2023, and the company wants to raise at least 10,000 people in the stratosphere over the next 10 years. The price will be at least 150 thousand euros per person.EOS-X Space enjoys the support of investors from Arab countries, but also the participation of Arthur D. Little, involved in the Apollo 11 program.