Stay informed about U.S. Investment Immigration and Life in the United States: A company in Arizona is planning to develop high-altitude balloons that will take adventurous tourists to the edge of the stratosphere. Each trip will cost $75,000, making it cheaper than other space travel options, though travelers will not experience weightlessness. The plan is expected to launch as early as 2016.
Paragon Space Development Corporation plans to build a helium balloon the diameter of a football field, capable of carrying up to 8 passengers at a height of about 30,000 meters, which is lower than the 110,000 meters altitude of Virgin Galactic’s “SpaceShipTwo” SS2. Ascent will take 20 to 40 minutes, and the entire journey will last a maximum of 6 hours.
The helium balloon will launch from a spaceport in southern New Mexico, allowing passengers to move freely without needing to wear space suits and oxygen masks. The primary challenge of this plan is ensuring the structural stability of the helium balloon and conducting flight control tests, as the balloon is made of high-performance polyethylene film.
Experts suggest that if frequently launched spacecraft can simultaneously carry scientific instruments or small satellites, the costs could be further reduced, making space travel more affordable.
