Spaceship Neptune Completes Uncrewed Test Flight
Spaceship Neptune Completes Uncrewed Test Flight
September 15 Flight Marks Milestones in Space Tourism
An uncrewed flight test of the Space Perspective Spaceship Neptune took place last week off the coast of St. Petersburg, FL. The balloon-carried capsule completed a full flight profile, paving the way for a crewed flight test.
"This uncrewed flight not only proves our pioneering technology but also brings us a giant leap closer to making space accessible for everyone."
Taber MacCallum, Space Perspective
The flight launched from Marine Spaceport (MS) Voyager and climbed to an altitude of approximately 100,000 feet—above 99% of Earth's atmosphere. Over the course of the six-hour journey, the spacecraft reached its peak altitude before performing a controlled descent and splashdown, showcasing its full flight profile and validating key technological advancements.
"Completing Development Flight 2 is a defining moment for Space Perspective," said Taber MacCallum, Founder and CTO of Space Perspective. "This uncrewed flight not only proves our pioneering technology but also brings us a giant leap closer to making space accessible for everyone and reaffirms our belief in the transformative power of space travel."
With the successful completion of Development Flight 2, Space Perspective has made significant advancements in several crucial areas. Key highlights of the flight demonstration include:
Launch and Ascent: Utilizing Space Perspective's patented launch system aboard MS Voyager, the flight employed a novel four-roller mechanism to raise the balloon, which has never been done before. This innovative approach establishes a new standard for marine spaceports, enabling year-round, global spaceflight operations.
Spaceship Neptune Capsule: The spacecraft-maintained cabin pressure and stability at peak altitude, confirming the safety, design and performance of the largest spaceflight capsule ever flown, with the largest windows ever flown. This achievement represents a significant leap in spacecraft engineering.
Thermal Management: The flight highlighted the spacecraft's advanced thermal control system, effectively managing extreme temperature variations from the frigid upper atmosphere to intense solar heating, ensuring a comfortable environment inside the capsule for future Explorers.
SpaceBalloon Performance: The flight demonstrated the successful use of hydrogen lift gas with the SpaceBalloon manufactured in house by Space Perspective, allowing the spacecraft to ascend to edge of space altitudes and descend safely, proving the viability of renewable lift gases.
Mission Control and Retrieval: Managed from Mission Control, the flight validated proprietary software and communication systems. The retrieval process, involving a fast boat and crane, was executed seamlessly, facilitating a thorough post-flight inspection.
"This flight successfully demonstrated the extraordinary accessibility of Spaceship Neptune's spaceflight experience with its gentle ascent, descent and splashdown, a critical step in opening space up to more people than ever before possible," said Jane Poynter, founder of Space Perspective. "Our advances in marine spaceport technology, spacecraft design, and flight safety are setting truly new standards for the future of space exploration."
The data collected from Development Flight 2 will be instrumental in refining Space Perspective's digital twin technology. This technology will aid engineers in analyzing spacecraft systems, including the capsule structure and thermal control, and guide the development of future spacecraft designs. Data gathered from this flight demonstration will pave the way for the development of crewed test flights.
Space Perspective has raised $100M to date and is funded by a diverse portfolio of investors led by investment group, Prime Movers Lab, and other notable venture capital funds like LightShed Partners, E2MC, Base, Green Sands Equity, Kirenaga, and SpaceFund. With a mission to bring more humans to space than ever before, it aims to lead the market for commercial space travel by starting human flights in 2025, with commercial operations in 2026. A seat aboard Spaceship Neptune costs $125,000. More than 1,800 tickets have been sold to date.