The balloon will rise to a height of more than 32 km. Such a level has never been achieved before in commercial balloon flights.
The famous British billionaire, founder of the Virgin Group Richard Branson plans to rise above the Earth's atmosphere in a hot air balloon. He will be one of three pilots on the world's first commercial stratospheric balloon flight.
The Independent reports this.
Brenson will join Virgin Group co-founders Jane Poynter and Taber McCallum on Space Perspective's maiden flight in 2025.
The pressurized capsule will use renewable hydrogen to gently ascend to an altitude of more than 32 km, an altitude that has never been reached before in a commercial balloon flight.
The balloon will be able to accommodate eight passengers on upcoming flights. Tickets will cost $125,000.
Branson has said that some of the best experiences in his life have occurred during hot air balloon expeditions.
“I have a passion for adventure and helping fellow entrepreneurs realize their business dreams. I can't wait to dust off my old hot air balloon license before some amazing test flights,” the billionaire said.
A successful unmanned test flight took place in September along the same trajectory and altitude at which the upcoming flights with tourists will take place. The exact date of the flight with Branson has not yet been set, but the company confirmed that it will take place in 2025.
Space Perspective is the world's first company to organize flights on stratospheric balloons. According to company representatives, more than 1,800 reservations have been made to date.
Recall that in 2021, Branson made a short trip into space. This was Virgin Galactic's first “tourist” suborbital flight.
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