This is the first phase of Zephalto’s longer-term vision, says founder Vincent Farret d’Astiès, whose background in air traffic control gave him the foundation for this endeavor. Passengers need no special training since gravity’s pull is still present, even at the pinnacle of the ascent.
What’s new is that adventurous travelers can book a seat in Céleste, which was built by Airbus engineers in partnership with CNES and the European Space Agency and is gently lifted by a balloon the size of the Sacré Coeur in Paris. These futuristic stratosphere-brushing balloons have been bobbing up and down for the better part of the past century France’s own space agency, CNES, has operated them for 60+ years. The experience has been a long time in coming. Guests dine on Michelin-starred cuisine and enjoy tailored comforts (further details to be announced) in a luxury pressurized capsule, Céleste, designed by French architect Joseph Dirand-the visionary behind the Parisian stores for both Balmain and Givenchy, as well as top restaurants like Loulou (at the Louvre) and Monsieur Bleu (at Palais de Tokyo). Opulence is everything with Zephalto, and this nearspace journey has little in common with the 10-minute rocket trips that have made headlines in recent years.
This is a view that few have experienced-one that has brought many an astronaut to tears. From this height, passengers can see our planet’s spherical blue halo first hand, experiencing the phenomenon known as the Overview Effect, through a generous 75-square-foot window. The six-hour journey includes three hours at altitude, taking in the sunrise past the stratosphere. Starting in late 2024, Zephalto’s low-carbon, luxury balloons will send up to six passengers (plus two pilots) at a time to stratospheric heights, 15.5 miles above the earth. French-based Zephalto is entering the space race with the intention of bringing this idea to life.
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