170 Million Won Space Travel Capsule Interior Revealed... Comfortable Bathroom Where Your Body Floats Without Drifting

Space Travel 'Spaceship Neptune' Restroom Revealed
First Flight Scheduled for Next Year... 1,600 Tickets Sold

A 'space toilet' that allows passengers to comfortably relieve themselves while gazing at Earth from a space travel hot air balloon scheduled to operate next year has been unveiled.

On the 22nd (local time), the American space tourism company Space Perspective revealed the toilet to be installed on the space balloon 'Spaceship Neptune,' which is preparing for its first commercial flight next year.

Spaceship Neptune [Photo by Spaces Perspective]

Space Perspective, founded in 2019, promotes itself as offering the "world's first luxury space flight experience" and uses hot air balloons instead of rockets for space travel. Unlike rocket-based space travel, balloon-based space travel requires no special training for tourists.

The company's space capsule, Spaceship Neptune, resembles a cylinder equipped with numerous transparent windows. It features windows that offer a 360-degree view of Earth, and provides drinks, snacks, and WiFi.

The capsule is suspended from a balloon with a volume of 509,703 cubic meters, roughly the size of a soccer field, and ascends into the sky carrying one pilot and eight passengers. The total flight time after takeoff is six hours.

Space Perspective stated, "The most common question people ask after learning that the flight lasts six hours is whether there is a toilet inside the space capsule," adding, "Instead of using diapers or vacuum toilets, passengers can use a beautifully decorated restroom to relieve themselves in a familiar posture while admiring Earth and space."

An illustration of the restroom inside the space capsule. Windows, a toilet, and a washbasin are provided.
[Photo by Space Perspective]

The reason this type of restroom can be used is that there is no zero gravity inside the cabin. Crew members aboard the International Space Station (ISS), orbiting Earth at an altitude of 400 km, live in a weightless environment and must use diapers or vacuum toilets to relieve themselves.

In contrast, Spaceship Neptune operates on a route that ascends to and descends from an altitude of 32 km, where Earth's gravity still affects the body. Therefore, it is possible to create a restroom that functions like one on Earth.

Although it does not reach the 100 km altitude defined by the F?d?ration A?ronautique Internationale (FAI) as the boundary of space, the company explains that passengers can look down at Earth, which appears like a round ball, and see the blackness of space.

The restroom, called the 'Space Spa,' unveiled by the company, features two windows that allow passengers to gaze into space. Designed with the concept of a "spa at a resort," it emphasizes comfort and plans to place plants inside to eliminate unpleasant odors.

Jane Pointer, CEO of Space Perspective, said, "The restroom is the only space within Spaceship Neptune where space travelers can have moments of solitude," adding, "So we wanted to give it a resort-like feel."

She also said, "The beautifully designed restroom will enhance the value of the unique experience of space travel," and "Passengers will also be able to experience looking at Earth from the restroom."

Meanwhile, Space Perspective announced that it had sold 1,600 tickets by July, achieving approximately $200 million (2.705 trillion KRW) in revenue. The price per ticket is $125,000 (169 million KRW).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.