So what new frontier is there left for humanity to conquer? Well, in the case of space tourism, it's not that it hasn't been done before. The concept has been around since the early 2000s. But French company Zephalto has some bolder, more out-there ideas. By next year, we can start eating Michelin-star-type meals on the edge of space. Yes, it's as crazy as sounds, it's happening!
It's a new kind of untapped fine dining. Founded by former air traffic controller Vincent Farret d’Astiès, the whole offering comes in a pressurized capsule that will be attached to a stratospheric balloon. It'll go up to an altitude of 25 kilometers, giving guests the ultimate view of the Earth.
Passengers get up to 90 minutes of time at maximum altitude, traveling at about four meters a second. The capsule will hover above the planet for three hours, good enough for a full-course meal and some wine (or a myriad of other drinks).
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Right now, pre-reservation tickets are priced at 10,000 euros (roughly P610,000). The trip itself costs 120,000 euros (approximately P7.32 million). Unfortunately, seats from late 2024 to mid-2025 seem to be fully booked at the moment. The next set of pre-reservations slots are for mid-2025 and beyond.
Companies like Zephanto are joining an already-stacked field in the space tourism industry. It's set to compete with the likes of Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin, and Space X, among others. Similarly, another group from Florida by the name of Space Perspective is setting up its space wining-and-dining venture.
There are, however, some stark differences between these players. Some focus on orbital space while others focus on suborbital space. Either way, exciting times are ahead!
* This story originally appeared on Esquiremag.ph. Minor edits have been made by the Preview.ph editors.
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