Florida-based Space Perspective has completed its first test flight in a major step toward launching humans in a capsule tied to a balloon. In a statement on September 18, the company highlighted 'extraordinary accomplishments' during the flight of Neptune-Excelsior.

"In just a few short years, our world-class team of engineers has designed and built a Space Balloon, a fully operational, first-of-its-kind capsule that is supported by our reserve descent system, and retrofitted the first marine spaceport for human spaceflight, MS Voyager," it said in a post on X.

"All of this has culminated in the recent launch of Excelsior, a capsule that will provide Explorers with a safe, gentle, and transformative ride to space. We are one step closer towards our mission of making space accessible to more humans than ever before," it added.

Space Perspective even shared a picture taken by the capsule's onboard camera during the test flight.

Space Perspective is one of several companies that are competing in the space tourism market. But many object to its approach of endorsing balloon rides to "space."

While the company uses the word space, the capsule will go no higher than 30 kilometres. The internationally recognised boundary of space called the Kármán Line begins at an altitude of 100 kilometres from the surface.

ALSO SEE: Want To Dine In Space? Luxury Space Tourism Company Is Here With A ₹4 Crore Offer

That being said, views from about 1,00,000 feet will still fill the tourists with awe and admiration for our planet. They will be able to see the curvature of Earth as the balloon ascends at a speed of approximately 19 kilometres per hour. Each flight will last two hours.

The Neptune capsule has big windows that offer a 360-degree view during the flight along with other luxurious facilities like a spa, built-in Wi-Fi and super expensive dining. Each ticket reportedly costs $1,25,000 or approximately Rs 1.04 crore.

According to the company, it will launch the first crew flight with eight tourists in 2025 and regular flights in 2026.

ALSO SEE: Rivalling U.S., China To Launch Space Tourism Flights In 2028

(Image: Space Perspective)