# Experience the Stratosphere: Affordable Balloon Travel to See Earth’s Curvature
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Chapter 1: Balloon Travel to the Stratosphere
Imagine soaring into the sky without the need for extensive preparations or hefty expenses. A Japanese start-up is embarking on a mission to offer balloon flights that will elevate passengers to heights where they can witness the curvature of our planet.
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Section 1.1: The Capsule Experience
The capsule designed for this journey accommodates only two passengers, seated side by side in luxurious safety harnesses reminiscent of high-end automobiles. Housed in a cylindrical chamber, the capsule is constructed from metal and features glass windows facing the seats. With a diameter of just 1.5 meters, it was unveiled by Iwaya Giken during a press conference held in Tokyo. This Sapporo-based start-up has dedicated a decade to its development. The capsule will be attached to a balloon that ascends to altitudes twice that of commercial airliners. Passengers will venture beyond the troposphere and reach the lower stratosphere, approximately 25 kilometers above the Earth, where they will witness the spherical shape of our planet.
Section 1.2: What Defines Space?
“The journey will be secure, affordable, and enjoyable,” Keisuke Iwaya, the founder, passionately states his vision to "democratize space." However, this raises an important question: what exactly constitutes "space"? At 25 kilometers above the surface, we are still a quarter of the way to the Karman line, the internationally recognized boundary of space, which sits at an altitude of 100 kilometers. Therefore, while the balloon flight provides a unique perspective of Earth and the skies above, it may not technically qualify as a true space trip.
Chapter 2: The Cost of Stratospheric Exploration
How much will a balloon flight to the stratosphere cost?
Initially, the price tag stands at $180,000, but it is anticipated that costs will eventually drop to tens of thousands of dollars. While these figures are significant, they are far more reasonable compared to the exorbitant fees charged by SpaceX for trips to the International Space Station, which recently saw three businessmen pay $55 million each for a multi-day experience aboard a Crew Dragon capsule. The financial burden on space tourists is expected to decrease, as stratospheric balloon flights require neither powerful propulsion systems nor vast amounts of fuel, relying instead on helium-filled balloons. These flights will primarily occur over Japanese territory.
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This video explores the altitude necessary to view Earth's curvature, delving into the science behind balloon travel and its implications for space tourism.
Section 2.1: The Flight Experience
The first commercial balloon flight is slated for later this year, featuring a pilot and one passenger departing from a balloon port in Hokkaido. The entire experience will span four hours: two hours ascending, one hour at a stable altitude, and one hour descending back to Earth. Who will be the inaugural participants? Applications are now open, with the first five selected individuals set to be announced in October. Unlike those aiming for a trip to the International Space Station, these travelers will not need to undergo extensive training or preparations. Weekly flights will depend on weather conditions.
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Section 2.2: Competing Ventures in Stratospheric Tourism
Iwaya Giken is not alone in this venture; last April, Space Perspective announced similar plans for stratospheric balloon travel. Their cabin promises a luxurious experience, complete with large windows, a bar, and Wi-Fi access, all for $125,000 over a six-hour journey to 30 kilometers high. They project their first flights to commence at the end of 2024 and have reportedly sold 600 tickets already.
What if you desire an even loftier experience? Virgin Galactic offers trips close to the Karman line for $450,000, allowing customers to experience weightlessness at around 90 kilometers. Blue Origin also provides a similar experience, though pricing details remain unspecified. If you're looking to go even further, SpaceX plans to send Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa and others on a lunar expedition later this year. Maezawa has prior experience in space, having spent twelve days on the International Space Station in 2021, which cost him $88 million—still a fraction of his estimated $2 billion net worth.
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