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Richard Branson to Co-Pilot First Crewed Space Balloon Flight
Key Ideas
- Billionaire Richard Branson is set to co-pilot the first crewed flight of Space Perspective's space balloon, designed to carry eight passengers 20 miles above Earth.
- The pressurized capsule, powered by hydrogen, is part of efforts to offer space tourism experiences to the public.
- Space Perspective's Founder expressed delight at Branson joining the maiden voyage, emphasizing his expertise in ballooning for a successful mission.
- The space balloon aims to take passengers on a 6-hour journey, with the first uncrewed test flight already completed in September.
Billionaire Richard Branson is gearing up for a new space adventure as he prepares to co-pilot the first crewed flight of Space Perspective's space balloon in Brevard County, Florida. This pressurized capsule, capable of carrying eight passengers, is specifically designed to ascend 20 miles above Earth. Branson's involvement in this pioneering mission is seen as a significant step in the evolution of space tourism, with the balloon utilizing hydrogen power for its journey to the edge of space. Taber MacCallum, the Founder and CTO of Space Perspective, expressed excitement about Branson's participation, highlighting his extensive experience in ballooning as a key asset for the success of the maiden voyage. The ultimate goal of this endeavor is to offer tourists a unique space travel experience, lasting approximately 6 hours and reaching heights of 100,000 feet above the Earth's surface. Following a successful uncrewed test flight in September, Space Perspective is moving closer to making commercial space balloon rides a reality.