Zephalto is launching a unique, gentle, and eco-friendly space tourism experience. Forget about roaring rockets or military training: this innovative startup from Toulouse is reinventing the journey to the stars with a stratospheric balloon straight out of a sci-fi movie. After a successful test flight near Toulouse, the company confirms that its concept works. This trip promises a smooth ascent to 25 km high to admire the curvature of the Earth... as long as you have a well-filled bank account.
€170,000 for a ticket to brush the stars (but without gravity)
Maximum comfort and breathtaking views: Zephalto focuses on elegance as much as innovation. Here, there are no stuffy space suits or G-forces to endure. The pressurized capsule feels more like a cozy private jet lounge than a space vehicle.
à an astronaut cockpit. The idea is simple: to offer its six passengers a moment suspended, literally, between sky and Earth. Add to that a sleek design, a silent ascent, and a panoramic view of our blue planet, and you get the ultimate experience for billionaires in search of zen thrills.Voir cette publication sur Instagram
The experience isn't free, but it's already attracting the curious with deep pockets. With a starting price of €170,000, this dream of altitude is currently reserved for an elite few. Yet, 400 people have already booked their tickets, captivated by the idea of experiencing the “overview effect,” that profound awareness of our planet that astronauts describe as life-changing. Most come from Europe or the United States, and some are already hoping for a mental butterfly effect when they return to Earth.
Between ecology, science, and industrial ambitions
Zephalto aims to blend tourism, science, and public utility to create a sustainable model. Each flight will also carry scientific instruments to measure gases and particles in the stratosphere.grave;re, proof that the company doesn’t want to just sell dreams. By 2026, a factory for reusable balloons will open in Muret, leading to very grounded applications: communication relays during crises, coverage of global events… The balloon is soaring high but keeps its feet on the ground.
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While the project is impressive, it also raises questions about accessibility and environmental impact. For now, the ticket remains out of reach for the average person. But Zephalto hopes to reduce costs over time through mass production and technological simplification. It remains to be seen if this ambition aligns with the current ecological urgency. Because even though balloons are potentially less polluting than rockets, the very idea of “space tourism” sparks debate.
Source: Innovant.fr