If French company Zephalto has its way, eating a Michelin-starred meal on the "edge of space" could become a reality next year. Former air traffic controller Vincent Farret d'Astiès founded the space tourism venture, which is currently selling "pre-reservation tickets" for upcoming trips in a pressurised capsule called 'Celeste' that is attached to a stratospheric balloon.
This capsule will ascend to a height of 25 kilometres (15.5 miles), allowing guests to marvel at the Earth's curvature. In between taking in the scenery, visitors will be wined and dined in style.
Seats on the first flights from late 2024 to mid-2025 have already been reserved, according to Zephalto, who is now selling pre-reservation slots for mid-2025 and beyond.
Pre-reservation tickets cost 10,000 euros (approximately $10,900) and allow buyers to reserve a seat whenever tickets go on sale. A trip on Celeste will cost you 120,000 euros (approximately $131,100) (Rs 1 crore), according to reports.
Celeste claims to be able to transport six passengers and two pilots to maximum altitude in 90 minutes at a speed of four metres per second. The capsule will then float three hours above Earth, giving you plenty of time to enjoy a multi-course meal and several glasses of fine French wine.
According to Farret d'Astiès, while the food and beverage options at Celeste will be luxurious, "the view and overall journey remains the central focus of the offering, allowing guests to appreciate and take in the beauty of their surroundings."
Few have followed in the footsteps of Dennis Tito, the first "space tourist" to take to the skies in 2001. However, high-profile space tourism companies such as SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic have made moves in this arena in recent years, vowing to make space the next must-visit vacation destination.
Zephalto, which was founded in 2016, isn't the only company hoping to transport passengers in a luxurious hot air balloon. Space Perspective, based in Florida, is currently accepting reservations for its Spaceship Neptune.