Zephalto offers exclusive trips to the stratosphere aboard a space balloon 

15-05-23

• The luxury dinner in space costs 120,000 euros.

Space tourism is one of the luxury experiences that awaits us in the not too distant future. 

Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic, led by Jeff Bezos and Richard Branson, are already working on developing space travel. They have been joined by the French start-up Zephalto, which promises an ascent to the stratosphere in a space balloon with a luxury dinner included.

This expedition, not suitable for all pockets, will be available from €120,000. It promises to be unforgettable for those who can afford it, as it will allow you to observe the curvature of the Earth by ascending to a height of 25 kilometres.

Thus, skirting the stratosphere, but without reaching the zero gravity zone, tourists will be able to enjoy views that only 600 people in the world have been able to contemplate. It will be aboard a balloon called Celeste which, according to the company, will leave from different spaceports located in some of the most emblematic places on Earth. The initial flights will take off and land on French soil.

This luxury capsule, decorated by French designer Joseph Dirand, is designed for the maximum safety and comfort of its occupants, and will be lifted by a balloon the size of the Sacré Coeur de Paris.

Celeste, which will carry six passengers and two pilots, will ascend at a speed of four metres per second for an hour and a half, until it reaches 25 kilometres. There it will hover above the Earth for three hours. You can then enjoy the gastronomic experience it offers, which will be washed down with the best French wine.

The company, which was founded in 2016 by Vincent Farret d'Astiès, will test its first manned flights this year. The idea is to open to the public at the end of next year or early 2025, once it has obtained certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

In fact, it is working with the French Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES) to guarantee safety during the flight. Its plan is to carry out approximately 60 flights a year.