By Mike Sunnucks | Rose Law Group Reporter
An Arizona company that offers high-altitude balloon rides that take wealthy customers to the stratosphere and edge of space reports it has reached 1,000 reservations for the $50,000 per person trips.
Tucson-based World View said the reservations for the stratospheric trips have come from 32 countries including the U.K., Canada and Germany.
“Reaching 1,000 reservations underscores the passion, excitement and interest for this unique experience that World View offers. This means 1,000 new people will be able to enjoy majestic views of both Earth and space for an adventure that’s never been this accessible to humanity. The fact that the Grand Canyon spaceport flight has sold out for the first year also showcases the market demand and growing interest in space tourism. We have been working diligently to share our purpose-first mission with future guests so that they will join us on the journey to rediscovering our wondrous Earth.” said Ryan M Hartman, president and CEO of World View.
World View plans to have its spaceport voyages to the cusp of outer space originate from locations that highlight some of natural wonders of the world including the Grand Canyon, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the Aurora Borealis in Norway, the Serengeti plains in Kenya, the Great Wall of China, Brazil’s Amazon rainforest.
Tucson company describes the experience as “transformative”.
“Flights cost $50,000 and will lift eight participants and two World View crew members in a zero-pressure stratospheric balloon and pressurized space capsule to 100,000 feet altitude, nearly 23 miles into the stratosphere, for a transformative experience that will last six to eight hours. Participants will lift off before dawn to watch the sunrise over Earth, once at the apogee of 100,000 feet, Explorers will witness the darkness of space, see the stars above, and view the curvature of the Earth,” World View said in a release on the reservations milestone.
Reservation deposits cost $500, the company said.
