Zephalto, founded by businessman Vincent Farret d'Astiès - a former air traffic controller - is now selling "advance tickets" for romantic dinners in space, via a pressurized capsule called Celeste.
According to Zephalto, Celeste can fly into the stratosphere thanks to a special balloon. This compartment will stop at an altitude of more than 25,000m so that visitors can enjoy dinner while admiring the curve of the Earth.
Zephalto used a balloon to lift the Celeste capsule above the Earth's stratosphere. (Photo: CNN)
Advance tickets for the dinner are currently priced at €10,000 (about $10,900), and anyone can reserve a seat whenever they go on sale. All told, a trip on Celeste will set you back €120,000 (about $131,100).
According to Zephalto, advance bookings for the first flights from late 2024 to mid-2025 are sold out and they are selling advance bookings from mid-2025 onwards.
The Celeste capsule is designed to carry six passengers and two pilots to its maximum altitude in just 90 minutes. The capsule will then float in the stratosphere for three hours, giving guests plenty of time to enjoy a Michelin-starred dinner.
Zephalto, founded in 2016, is not the only company with plans for space tourism via balloon.
According to Farret d'Astiès, Celeste will offer passengers an experience not unlike flying, but with better views and a more luxurious feel. The interior of the pressurized cabin is being designed by French designer Joseph Dirand. The designs have not yet been revealed, but Zephalto is certain that they will exude “French sophistication.”
Although Celeste's future chefs have yet to be announced, the idea is to open the door to all culinary masters, with freedom to choose what's on the menu.
Zephalto said it has also worked closely with France's National Centre for Space Studies (CNES) on the project, and counts aerospace company Airbus among its partners. The company said the helium-powered balloon would require the same certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency as commercial aircraft.
Zephalto said it has completed three partial test flights and is planning another flight later this year that will cover the entire journey. The flights will be open to customers of all ages and require no prior training.
Currently scheduled to take off from France, Zephalto hopes this amazing experience will soon go global.
Thao Anh (Source: CNN)
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