Toulouse. They are developing a capsule to travel in the stratosphere, at an altitude of 35 km
By Thibaut Calatayud
Published on
Offer trips in the stratosphere. It is the will of companies stratoflight and Expedition. Based in Toulousethey aim, in the “near future”, to become essential in the space tourism sector.
A “unique in the world” capsule
Concretely, they must develop a “unique in the world” capsule installed under a balloon usingcarbon-free hydrogen.
The warhead-shaped vehicle will be 8 meters long, 4 meters wide and 3 meters high to accommodate six people, including two pilots.
“The flight is based on the zero-pressure balloon technology used for several years by multiple space agencies, including CNES and NASA, for scientific flights.”
A trip to an altitude of 35 km
For this project, Stratoflight and Expleo can count on several European partners including To balance for parachutes and Spartan space for the pressure suit.
The capsule is Expleo’s business. She will have a balcony which will make it possible to see the Earth at more than 35 kilometers above sea level.
“The capsule, a real innovation, will integrate an extravehicular platform, that is to say a “balcony”, which will allow passengers to go out into near space to contemplate the Earth. Passengers will thus be able to admire the earth and space. at more than 35,000 m in a pressurized suit. At this altitude, the curvature of the earth is perfectly visible and the horizon stretches from Barcelona to Amsterdam for a flight taking off from the center of France. The cabin, made of biosourced materials, recycled or recyclable, will be able, with its aerodynamic shape with lines that are both taut and curved, to fly under canopy at speeds of up to 140 km/h for the return to earth.”
“The cockpit, made of biosourced, recycled or recyclable materials, will be able, with its aerodynamic shape with both taut and curved lines, to fly under sail at speeds of up to 140 km/h for the return to earth. “, add the companies based in the Pink City.
No age limit
If all goes as planned, the first flights will take place in 2025. The Toulouse company will open at the start of the year 2023. The price of this stratospheric flight is not yet fixed but could be announced in the coming days.
To participate, you must meet a “standard medical examination”. However, no age limit has been set. There is no special training either. It is rather a “situation to be comfortable with the suit and appropriate the volume of the cabin, as well as normal and emergency manoeuvres. It is in fact for future passengers to acclimatize with the spirit of flight. This preparation is part of the flight experience”, explain the project leaders.
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