Launch Operations To Be Conducted From KSC

Space Perspective has announced plans to fly passengers and research payloads to the edge of space with its Spaceship Neptune, a high-performance balloon and pressurized capsule. The human 'space flight' company plans to launch from the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida, with the first un-crewed test flight scheduled in early 2021.

“We’re committed to fundamentally changing the way people have access to space – both to perform much-needed research to benefit life on Earth and to affect how we view and connect with our planet,” said Space Perspective Founder and Co-CEO Jane Poynter. “Today, it is more crucial than ever to see Earth as a planet, a spaceship for all humanity and our global biosphere.”

Flown by a pilot, Neptune takes up to eight passengers called “Explorers” on a six-hour journey to the edge of space and safely back, where only 20 people have been before. It will carry people and research payloads on a two-hour gentle ascent above 99% of the Earth’s atmosphere to 100,000 feet, where it cruises above the Earth for up to two hours allowing passengers to share their experience via social media and with their fellow Explorers. Neptune then makes a two-hour descent under the balloon and splashes down, where a ship retrieves the passengers, the capsule, and the balloon. Neptune’s commercial human spaceflight launches are regulated by the FAA Office of Commercial Spaceflight.

Science and education are also core to Space Perspective’s mission, and the company is working with researchers, educators and students from academic institutions and organizations. Payloads are already being manifested to fly on the first test flight in 2021. Neptune is suited for research areas of interest including:

• Atmospheric science that could shed light on Earth’s climate and air systems
• Astro- and solar-physics to illuminate understanding of the universe
• Astrobiology to explore the limits of life on the planet and beyond

  

Space Perspective has signed a lease agreement with Space Florida, the state’s aerospace and spaceport development authority, to locate its first Operations Center at the Midline Building at the Launch and Landing Facility (LLF), formerly known as the Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF). Space Florida currently operates and manages the LLF and accompanying facilities under a 30-year property agreement with NASA.

“Space Perspective is bringing a fundamentally new capability to the Cape, which will enhance the offering we have in Florida for space-related research and tourism,” said Space Florida President and CEO Frank DiBello. “Its presence here in Florida creates not just job and supply chain opportunities, but opportunities for civilian astronauts to experience this planet Earth from the Edge of Space, a privilege previously available to only a few. Its selection of our state marks a new era of spaceflight for Florida!”

Space Perspective and NASA have entered into a Space Act Agreement under which NASA may provide uniquely capable services available at KSC to Space Perspective on a reimbursable basis.

In addition to launching from KSC, Space Perspective will launch from Cecil Spaceport in Florida, and is planning to have future launch sites around the world, including Alaska, Hawaii and several international spaceports

FMI: www.TheSpacePerspective.com