Two private enterprises, SpaceVIP and Space Perspective, have collaborated to offer an opulent dining venture amidst the stars. Patrons willing to shell out nearly $500,000 will embark on a celestial journey aboard a space balloon, savoring a gastronomic delight crafted by Danish culinary virtuoso Rasmus Munk, renowned for his two Michelin-starred Alchemist eatery.
Space Perspective’s groundbreaking vessel, Spaceship Neptune, is slated to commence test trials next month with the aim of accommodating commercial passengers by 2025. Hosting a maximum of six travelers, Spaceship Neptune will ascend to approximately 19 miles above the Earth’s surface, affording patrons a panoramic view of the sun cresting over the planet’s curvature while relishing Munk’s meticulously curated menu. Connectivity via onboard WiFi enables passengers to livestream their experience to Earth-bound spectators.
Munk endeavors to imbue his culinary creations with the innovative essence of the expedition, employing avant-garde techniques such as aerogel-inspired fare and encapsulated aromas. The accolades bestowed upon Munk’s Alchemist restaurant, recently lauded in the esteemed World’s Best 50 Restaurants guide for 2023, attest to his culinary prowess and visionary approach.
While Space Perspective’s Spaceship Neptune may not breach the threshold of outer space, hovering halfway to the internationally recognized Kármán Line at 62 miles, akin to other ventures like Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin, it facilitates an awe-inspiring vista of Earth, potentially invoking the transformative Overview Effect.
Despite the allure of celestial fine dining, the prospect of space tourism remains a privilege accessible primarily to the affluent elite. Although space balloons offer a comparatively affordable alternative, with Space Perspective’s standard ticket prices anticipated to commence at approximately $125,000, democratizing access to space remains elusive. Nonetheless, the advent of space balloons heralds a safer mode of space travel devoid of rocket fuel, albeit devoid of the weightless experience characteristic of orbital ventures.
