A Japanese startup for space tourism claims it aims to “democratize space.” It plans to take customers to high altitudes. And they won’t be using rockets, but helium balloons. The journey will take passengers high enough to see the curvature of the earth.
The startup named Iwaya Giken, announced plans Tuesday to launch commercial space-viewing balloon flights. And hopes to bring an otherwise astronomically expensive experience down to Earth.
The company CEO, Keisuke Iwaya, says that space tourism should be accessible to everyone. The first trip is planned as early as later this year.
And regardless of their financial standing or training, he wants to democratize space.
The project has been in development since 2012. The company has teamed up with the major Japanese travel agency JTB Corp, which plans to collaborate on the project as soon as it is ready for commercial trips.
The airtight two-seat cabin is attached to a balloon that can rise up to an altitude of 25 kilometers (15 miles). The design allows passengers to have an unobstructed view of outer space.
