Space Perspective just unveiled the newest addition to its stratospheric tourism operation: a uniquely designed restroom, called the “Space Spa,” that can develop into a part of its Spaceship Neptune capsule.
Spaceship Neptune, which will likely be carried high into Earth’s atmosphere by an enormous balloon, is a pressurized capsule that guarantees passengers a more luxurious and sedate experience than the suborbital rocket rides offered by Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic.
Positioned throughout the eight-passenger capsule’s Space Lounge, the Space Spa will function as a private retreat during Spaceship Neptune flights, company representatives said.
“One of the consistent questions we receive when people learn that our spaceflight lasts six hours is that if there will likely be a toilet,” Jane Poynter, Space Perspective’s founder and co-CEO, said in a company statement. (To make clear: Spaceship Neptune will reach a maximum altitude of about 19 miles, or 30 kilometers, which is considerably below the traditionally accepted line where space begins — 62 miles, or 100 km.)
“The reply is all the time, after all, yes,” Poynter added. “And there isn’t a need for a vacuum toilet like astronauts contend with, or a diaper. Having a correct and beautifully designed restroom contributes significantly to the accessible and unique experience we’re offering and accentuates the incredible views of the deep blackness of space, the sensible thin blue line of our atmosphere, the celebrities above and the Earth below.”
The goal was to offer an environment closer to a spa than to a typical aircraft setting, said Dan Window, who oversees all elements of design at Space Perspective alongside Isabella Trani.
“Overall, we embraced softness and optimistic color tones within the Space Spa, which play nicely with the contrasting colours you will notice through its two windows,” Window said in the identical statement. “We’re also using light washes, for instance, to create ambience and permit for personalization of the environment in addition to discourage reflections within the windows. Soothing soundscapes will likely be unique to what you experience within the Space Lounge, and we brought in plants as a callback to the experience that Space Perspective’s founders had in Biosphere 2 [an Earth systems research facility in Oracle, Arizona].”
Trani expanded on the spa’s design, emphasizing its purpose as a solitary refuge throughout the capsule.
“The Space Spa is the one place within the capsule’s interior where Explorers will give you the chance to have a moment of solitude,” Trani said, referring to Space Perspective’s customers. “So, it was imperative that it felt like a retreat. Explorers will find this environment cocooning and comforting, with no sharp edges, which adds to the atmosphere and creates a really welcoming place. On a practical level, the design advantages cleanliness, allowing for things similar to surfaces which can be easy to wipe down, and its soft surfaces and greenery promote sound and odor control.”
Spaceship Neptune is not only concerning the Space Spa, nonetheless. Space Perspective guarantees world-class food and beverage offerings, plush seating, and a bunch of amenities including bespoke headphones, Wi-Fi and specialized amenity kits.
In July, Space Perspective announced it had successfully sold over 1,600 tickets, translating to about $200 million in sales. (The going rate for a Spaceship Neptune seat is $125,000.) This figure eclipses publicly reported ticket sales of every other space tourism enterprise.
Space Perspective is planning to conduct its first business flights in late 2024.