LOCATION - Kennedy Space Center, Florida, USA
DURATION - 1 Day (6 hour flight time)
AVAILABILITY - Booking now for late 2025 / early 2026
REQUIRED TRAINING - None
Six Explorers will join Michelin-starred Chef Rasmus Munk from restaurant Alchemist for an immersive dining experience on Space Perspective's Spaceship Neptune. Guests will enjoy a six-hour, multi-course meal of a lifetime above 99% of Earth's atmosphere on the world's first carbon-neutral spaceship. Each Explorer will be outfitted by French fashion house Ogier, who will be crafting made-to-measure outfits designed using cutting-edge fabric technology developed specifically for this mission. All proceeds from this expedition will be directed to the Space Prize Foundation, dedicated to promoting gender equity in science and technology.
Space Perspective offers the most safe and accessible way to travel to space with its Spaceship Neptune, which delivers a completely reimagined spaceflight experience with no training or special gear required. Featuring a pressurized capsule lifted gently by a SpaceBalloon™ – not a rocket – the spacecraft will take Explorers and ascend 100,000 ft above sea level where they will dine as they watch the sunrise over the Earth's curvature. Explorers will also have Wi-Fi on board and are welcome to livestream their experience and connect with loved ones down on Earth during their flight.
Chef Rasmus’s imaginative creations will augment every step of the experience, including dishes inspired by the role of space exploration during the last 60 years of human history, and the impact it has had on our society – both scientifically and philosophically. Chef Rasmus will tell an intentional story through the language of Holistic Cuisine that will inspire thought and discussion on the role of humanity in protecting our planet, challenging the diner to reexamine our relationship with Earth and those who inhabit it.
Space travelers report that seeing our planet against the blackness of space brings into focus the profound understanding that we collectively have one home and that all living beings are interconnected and bound by the common thread of existence. Often referred to as the Overview Effect, it’s a phenomenon that can be a sobering reminder that our destinies are intertwined. Seeing our planet from the edge of space has the power to create a cognitive shift and inspire a greater appreciation for Earth and a deep connection to humanity as a whole. With food being an essential part of human existence, creating a system with equal access to it will only be possible through radical collaboration and a paradigm shift to dismantle the barriers that divide us.
Itinerary (course menu served throughout):
Launch minus 3 months: Explorer dinner at Alchemist in Copenhagen.
4AM - 6AM: Board Spaceship Neptune, the world’s only carbon-neutral spaceship, and ascend 100,000 ft above sea level in time to watch the sunrise over the Earth's curvature. Ascend to 100,000 feet above sea level, 3 times higher than you would fly in a commercial airliner.
6AM - 8AM: Enjoy 2 full hours 20 miles above earth, viewing the curvature of the Earth from the trip’s apogee. Be one of the few to experience the Overview Effect as you view your home planet from above in a gentle yet thrilling voyage.
8AM - 10AM: Slowly descend for a splash down into the ocean. Disembark within minutes of landing and board an awaiting ship for your return back to land.
This groundbreaking journey is the first of a series of Space Perspective voyages curated by SpaceVIP in partnership with leading artists in their respective fields. The purpose of the series is to share the transformative power of space travel to shift human consciousness and impact the future of humanity.
Gastronomy, drama, art, and spectacular visuals blend to create the Alchemist universe. A fine dining experience is the core of the restaurant – but keeping with Head Chef Rasmus Munk’s idea of Holistic Cuisine the menu of 40 edible impressions is augmented by performers, installations, and the architecture itself.
The heart of the restaurant consists of a gigantic planetarium dome where guests dine surrounded by artful projections and stunning views, conjuring up, and enhancing moods and statements. The guests find themselves under the sea surrounded by jellyfish floating among plastic bags, in space looking down on the earth and inside the human body – finding themselves calming down in time with the slow beating of a gigantic heart.
Most of the drama at Alchemist happens on the plates, where layers of subtext, both humorous, provocative, political, and just plain delicious, line the six-hour experience. Two art installation rooms are regularly refurbished and are filled with surprising interactive performance elements – and two lounge areas give pause and time for reflection during the evening.
Alchemist has held 2 Michelin stars since 2020 and was ranked top 5 on the World’s Best Restaurant list in 2023. Alchemist’s vision is changing the world through gastronomy.
Ogier is a French Luxury Fashion House established in 1948 specializing in functional luxury garments, ski wear, high end ready to wear, footwear and accessories for men and women. Ogier creates high performing products and garments for the most discerning customers with the same love for beauty, nature, and sporting achievements.
Space Perspective, the world's first carbon-neutral spaceflight experience company, is on a mission to make space travel more accessible than ever before. Its innovative Spaceship Neptune, which comprises a pressurized capsule propelled by a giant SpaceBalloon™, offers a safe and transformative six-hour journey to the edge of space.
With no rockets, weightlessness, heavy g-forces, or training required, the experience is designed to be as gentle on Explorers as it is on the Earth. Those who fly with Space Perspective, which is being regulated by the FAA as well as the U.S. Coast Guard and follows guidelines established by NASA, enjoy a world-class meal and cocktail service, Wi-Fi, unprecedented views through the largest windows ever flown to space, and a proper restroom, which it calls the Space Spa – all from the comforts of the world's first SpaceLounge.
Based on Florida's Space Coast, Space Perspective was founded by human spaceflight veterans Jane Poynter and Taber MacCallum, who met as original crew members in Biosphere 2. They went on to launch Paragon Space Development Corporation, which develops tech for environmental control systems that can be found on the International Space Station (ISS). Space Perspective's team more broadly has been instrumental in the development of every U.S. human spacecraft for the past 40 years.
Spaceballoons, otherwise called high altitude or scientific balloons, float upward in the atmosphere by using a gas that is lighter than air. In the case of Space Perspective’s Neptune balloon, that gas is hydrogen. Helium is also a common option but is in limited supply as it is heavily used in other industries including medicine. The floating is made possible by the buoyancy force which is exactly how a boat stays afloat on water.
The spaceballoon does not need to be completely filled with hydrogen upon lift off. As the balloon floats upward, the gas inside expands due to a decrease in atmospheric pressure, thus expanding the balloon. At the apogee of the trip, the spaceballoon might vent gas in order to stabilize the pressure, and also to begin its descent back to Earth. The spaceballoon is specially designed to operate in the near-vacuum environment you will fly to, and its design is based on proven spaceballoon technologies to ensure a safe ride for everyone on board.
In order to carry the weight of the 8-person Spaceship Neptune capsule, Space Perspective’s spaceballoon is large enough to fit an entire football stadium (650 feet / 200 meters tall) inside when fully inflated.
Spaceship Neptune was designed to prioritize safety above all else. It incorporates several key safety features, including the SpaceBalloon, Reserve Descent System, and Neptune Capsule. Unlike traditional spacecraft where the crewed compartment separates mid-flight, Neptune's capsule remains securely attached to the SpaceBalloon for the entire journey, ensuring a seamless and safe flight experience.
The SpaceBalloon is a thoroughly tested technology, having been flown by NASA and other government agencies over 1,000 times. It operates on the principle of a "zero-pressure" balloon, meaning there's minimal pressure difference between the interior and exterior, significantly reducing the risk of rupture. Even in the unlikely event of a hole, the balloon descends slowly and safely to the ground.
The Reserve Descent System serves as a backup between the capsule and the balloon. It consists of parachutes that can safely land the capsule at any point during the flight, providing an additional layer of security. These parachutes have a proven track record, having been used successfully in over 1,000 space missions.
Space Perspective has chosen hydrogen as the lifting gas for Spaceship Neptune due to its renewable nature and widespread use in various industries, including fuel cells and transportation. Hydrogen is demonstrated to be safe for use in balloons, with thousands of human-crewed balloons having been flown using hydrogen since the 1700s without incident. Additionally, hydrogen offers sustainability benefits over helium, which is in limited supply and essential for critical medical applications.
Spaceship Neptune's design takes into account various environmental factors to ensure crew safety. The Neptune Capsule provides a controlled environment for passengers, equipped with shielding to minimize radiation exposure. Additionally, advanced insulation and climate control systems regulate temperatures inside the capsule, protecting occupants from extreme cold or heat experienced at high altitudes.
Spaceship Neptune is equipped with comprehensive emergency protocols to handle any unforeseen circumstances during ascent or descent. The crew undergoes extensive training to respond effectively to emergencies, and the Reserve Descent System provides a reliable backup in case of balloon failure. Furthermore, ground-based support teams monitor the entire flight and can intervene if necessary to ensure a safe outcome.
Spaceship Neptune is designed to safely land on water in the event of an emergency descent. The Neptune Capsule is equipped with flotation devices and emergency supplies to support passengers until rescue teams arrive. Additionally, the capsule's secure attachment to the SpaceBalloon reduces the likelihood of uncontrolled descents, minimizing the risk of water landings.
Prior to each flight, Spaceship Neptune coordinates with relevant aviation authorities to ensure airspace safety. Flight paths are carefully planned to avoid congested areas and known flight corridors. Additionally, the spacecraft is equipped with communication and tracking systems to maintain situational awareness and facilitate coordination with air traffic control if needed.
Spaceship Neptune prioritizes passenger well-being by minimizing the duration of exposure to space conditions. The flight profile is designed for a comfortable ascent and descent, reducing the physiological stresses typically associated with space travel. Furthermore, medical professionals are onboard or available remotely to monitor passengers' health and provide assistance as needed throughout the journey. Post-flight, passengers receive comprehensive debriefing and medical evaluations to ensure their continued well-being.
Instead of accelerating to space with high-energy rockets that fight against gravity, Spaceship Neptune uses gravity through buoyancy. The gas inside the SpaceBalloon is lighter than the surrounding air so it literally lifts the balloon and capsule up to come to equilibrium above 99% of Earth’s atmosphere where it floats, like an ice cube floating on water. To descend the Spaceship releases a tiny amount of gas that turns into water, so the vehicle is technically near-zero emissions.
The entire spaceship is reused many times except the material the SpaceBalloon is made of. At the end of the flight, our team retrieves the SpaceBalloon and recycles it. We are already upcycling some of the material as well. For example, the bartop inside the capsule is made with recycled SpaceBalloon.
We continually work to reduce our overall carbon footprint. Our operations still produce carbon emissions, which we offset through projects that remove our CO2 from the atmosphere for us. We offset our 2021 carbon emissions with Cool Effects. We also carefully choose vendors who continually strive to be sustainable. For example, our swag, cleaning products, even furniture are sourced from vendors who work to reduce their impact on our global biosphere.