Space Perspective, the world’s first carbon-neutral spaceflight experience company, has successfully completed a full flight profile of its uncrewed Spaceship Neptune-Excelsior, the fully operational test vehicle for the company’s planned commercial spacecraft. The six-hour flight launched from the company’s Marine Spaceport (MS) Voyager, located off the coast of St. Petersburg, Florida. It marks a critical development milestone on the path toward future crewed flights and broader commercial operations.
The demonstration began with a precise launch from MS Voyager, propelling Spaceship Neptune to an altitude of approximately 100,000 feet above 99% of Earth’s atmosphere. Over the course of the journey, the vehicle reached its peak altitude before executing a controlled descent and ocean splashdown. The mission validated several key performance metrics and technological advancements across the full flight profile.
“Completing Development Flight 2 is a defining moment for Space Perspective,” said Taber MacCallum, Founder and CTO of Space Perspective. “I’m so proud of our devoted team who has worked relentlessly to execute this mission, drawing from their deep expertise and designing solutions for never-been-seen technologies. 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.”
Key advancements demonstrated during the flight include:
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Launch and Ascent: The flight utilized Space Perspective’s patented four-roller launch mechanism aboard MS Voyager—an industry-first innovation in marine spaceport technology that enables year-round, global launch capability.
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Spaceship Neptune Capsule: The vehicle maintained internal pressure and stability at peak altitude, validating the performance and safety of the largest spaceflight capsule ever flown. The capsule also features the largest windows ever used in spaceflight.
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Thermal Management: The spacecraft’s onboard systems successfully regulated the extreme temperature differentials encountered during ascent and descent, maintaining a stable environment inside the capsule.
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SpaceBalloon™ Technology: The mission marked the successful use of hydrogen lift gas in the company’s in-house-manufactured SpaceBalloon™, demonstrating the viability of renewable lift gases in high-altitude operations.
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Mission Control and Retrieval: Proprietary software and communications systems were verified from Mission Control. The capsule was safely recovered via boat and crane for post-flight inspection.
Jane Poynter, Founder of Space Perspective, added: “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.
The data from Development Flight 2 will contribute to the company’s digital twin modeling, guiding continued refinement of spacecraft systems and the design of future missions. These insights will be crucial as the company moves into its next phase of testing, including crewed missions.
To date, Space Perspective has raised $100 million in funding. Its diverse investor base includes Prime Movers Lab, LightShed Partners, E2MC, Base, Green Sands Equity, Kirenaga, and SpaceFund. Human flights are expected to begin in 2025, with commercial service planned for 2026. Ticket prices are currently set at $125,000, and over 1,800 have been sold to date.
About Space Perspective
Space Perspective is the world’s first carbon-neutral spaceflight experience company, on a mission to make space accessible to more people than ever before. Based on Florida’s Space Coast, the company was founded by human spaceflight pioneers Jane Poynter and Taber MacCallum, who previously served as crew members of Biosphere 2 and co-founded Paragon Space Development Corporation. With its pressurized Spaceship Neptune capsule, propelled by a renewable hydrogen-filled SpaceBalloon™, Space Perspective offers a six-hour journey to the edge of space — without rockets or g-forces. The onboard experience includes panoramic windows, Wi-Fi, a proper restroom (the Space Spa), and meal and cocktail service. The company complies with FAA and U.S. Coast Guard regulations and follows NASA’s safety guidelines.
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Source/Photo Credit: Space Perspective
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