He made history back in 2021 after becoming the first billionaire to reach space.
And now Sir Richard Branson is set to venture to the edge of space once again.
The Virgin co-founder has been confirmed as a co-pilot on the world’s first commercial stratospheric balloon flight.
During the flight, Branson will venture 20 miles up into the sky on board a pressurised capsule, towed by a balloon.
Branson is no stranger to balloon adventures, having broken two ballooning world records crossing the Atlantic and Pacific oceans in 1987 and 1991 respectively.
‘Some of the most magnificent experiences of my life have happened on ballooning expeditions and I’m excited to support Space Perspective in its journey,’ he said.
‘I’m passionate about adventure and helping fellow entrepreneurs reach their business dreams.
He made history back in 2021 after becoming the first billionaire to reach space. And now Sir Richard Branson is set to venture to the edge of space once again
The Virgin co-founder has been confirmed as a co-pilot on the world’s first commercial stratospheric balloon flight
‘I look forward to dusting off my old ballooning licence ahead of some magnificent test flights.’
Branson will be one of three pilots on Space Perspective’s maiden voyage in 2025, joining company co-founders Jane Poynter and Taber MacCallum.
During the launch, the massive space balloon will be filled with hydrogen, lifting the pressurised Spaceship Neptune capsule into the sky at a gentle speed of roughly 12 miles per hour.
When fully inflated, the balloon is nearly as tall as the Eiffel Tower, and could fill an entire football stadium.
Once the capsule reaches an altitude of around 20 miles, it will float at levels above the atmosphere never before achieved in a commercial balloon flight.
A successful uncrewed test flight following the same flight trajectory and altitude as future voyages took place in September.
Ms Poynter said: ‘Richard’s pioneering efforts in the ballooning industry were a key inspiration for us when we founded Space Perspective.
‘We are now on a mission to give Explorers breathtaking views of the Earth against a black sky and do so gently in a way that only balloons enable.’
During the launch, the massive space balloon will be filled with hydrogen, lifting the pressurised Spaceship Neptune capsule into the sky at a gentle speed of roughly 12 miles per hour
No specific date has been set for the maiden flight, but Space Perspective confirmed it would take place in 2025.
Taber MacCallum added: ‘We’re delighted by Richard’s decision to join Jane and I as co-pilot on the first crewed flight, leveraging his deep experience in ballooning to ensure a successful maiden voyage.’
Sir Richard has also, along with other investors, made an investment in Space Perspective which the company said will accelerate its development and test flight programme.
If Branson’s flight proves a success, it could pave the way for future flights with tourists on board.
The capsule will have capacity for eight passengers, with seats available for $125,000 (£96,000).
A ticket doesn’t just buy you a seat – passengers will also get to enjoy cocktails, meal service, high-speed WIFI and incredible views of their home planet.
The six-hour flight will include two hours to soak up the curvature of the Earth, ‘the total blackness of space, and the thin blue line of our atmosphere’, Space Perspective has said.
That’s because it takes two hours for Spaceship Neptune to reach its maximum height, and two hours to complete it’s descent back to Earth.
Branson is no stranger to balloon adventures, having broken two ballooning world records crossing the Atlantic and Pacific oceans in 1987 and 1991 respectively
This leaves two hours in between to hang out in the stratosphere.
Passengers even get to enjoy this view while using the bathroom, which features ‘soft, soothing color tones, living plants, stunning window vistas, high-end products and unique soundscapes,’ according to Space Perspective.
Despite the hefty price tag, Space Perspective said more than 1,800 reservations have been made to date.
The news comes three years after Branson became the first billionaire in space, having travelled to the edge of Earth’s atmosphere on board a Virgin Galactic spacecraft.
He was one of six Virgin Galactic employees aboard VSS Unity for the voyage to 280,000ft.
Speaking to a crowd of spectators after the flight, a jubilant Branson said: ‘Like most kids, I have dreamt of this moment since I was kid.
‘But nothing can prepare you for the view of Earth from space, the whole thing was just magical.’
Sir Richard later posted a video of himself while onboard the Unity, saying: ‘To all you kids down there, I was once a child with a dream, looking up to the stars.
‘Now I’m an adult in a spaceship, with lots of other wonderful adults looking down at our beautiful, beautiful Earth.
‘To the next generation of dreamers, if we can do this, just imagine what you can do.’
SPACE PERSPECTIVE REVEALS NEW RENDERINGS SHOWING THE LUXURIOUS INTERIOR OF ITS ‘SPACE NEPTUNE’ CAPSULE
In July 2022, Space Perspective finalized its design for Spaceship Neptune, a sleek-looking capsule that will offer epic views 20 miles above Earth and luxury amenities – if you don’t mind forking over $125,000 per ticket.
The Florida-based company, which is constructing Spaceship Neptune near NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, is planning to offer up to eight passengers at a time the chance to soak up panoramic views of Earth during the six-hour round trip.
Space Perspective promises a calm space experience since its spherical pod is being propelled into the planet’s stratosphere by a massive inflated balloon.
‘We now also have an exterior aesthetic that is every bit as powerful as the interior … the engineering team have delivered an unsurpassable outcome in relation to performance and safety,’ the company’s lead designers said. Pictured is a conceptual view of the interior, showing panoramic windows and a bar area
As of July 2022, Space Perspective has already sold 900 tickets, has targeted commercial flights to being in late 2024 and is taking reservations for 2025 as well. Pictured above is a conceptual view of the interior, showing ample space for passengers and their belongings
The larger capsule allowed for a roomier interior that can hold two more passengers that previous design shown in October of last year, the Florida-based firm announced. Pictured above is a conceptual view of the interior, showing large reclining seats