Billionaire Richard Branson is set to co-pilot the world’s first stratospheric balloon flight.
Seats onboard the balloon will cost a whopping $125,000 each.
Back in 2021, Branson became the first billionaire in space and now he’s planning to set off for the stars again.
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This time, he’ll co-pilot a stratospheric balloon flight.
The pressurized capsule will take Branson 20 miles into the sky as early as 2025.
He said: “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.
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“I'm passionate about adventure and helping fellow entrepreneurs reach their business dreams.
“I look forward to dusting off my old ballooning license ahead of some magnificent test flights.”
The balloon aircraft, which is called Space Perspective, is expected to have its maiden voyage next year.
The trip will have three pilots, Branson, along with Jane Poynter and Taber MacCallum.
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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.”
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.”
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If the flight is successful then it could be a step towards future flights carrying tourists on board.
The capsule has enough capacity for eight passengers and the seats available will come with a hefty price tag, being set at $125,000 each.
Once onboard, passengers will be able to enjoy cocktails, a meal service, as well as WiFi and unbelievable views of Earth.
The entire trip will take around six hours to complete, and will include two hours spent taking in the curvature of the Earth, as well as ‘the total blackness of space, and the thin blue line of our atmosphere’, according to Space Perspective.
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Three years ago, when Branson became the first billionaire in space onboard a Virgin Galactic spacecraft, VSS Unity, he posted a video of himself.
In the clip, he said: “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.”