Instead of battling g-forces and weightlessness as they are propelled into the sky at 17,000mph abroad a traditional spacecraft, travellers can gently float to 18 miles high in a luxury pressurised capsule. It is fitted out with plush seats, 360 degree panoramic windows, a spa bathroom and a bar. Neptune only travels at 12mph – allowing eight guests to stand up and walk around, sip cocktails, have a romantic dinner, throw parties and even get married as they look down on Earth.
It also has wifi so revellers can ping photos of their adventure straight back to loved ones down below. When the trip is over it gently floats back to Earth before splashing down softly on the water next to its floating launchpad. Bosses plan to offer overnights - making it the world's first space hotel - and promise multiple launches from oceans all over the world.
Unmanned test flights have proved a success and Space Perspective - based in Florida, US - plans to start carrying passengers into the stratosphere next year. The only downer is tickets will cost £100,000 each. That has not stopped 1,750 people booking trips for 2025. Co-founder Taber MacCallum reckons it will be a space flight game-changer. "The space capsule is like nothing the world has ever seen,'' he said.
