Space Perspective has achieved the successful completion of its first full-scale flight test of the Spaceship Neptune-Excelsior. The groundbreaking test flight, which took place on Sunday morning, launched from the MS Voyager off the Gulf coast of Florida.

The flight showcased Space Perspective’s innovative SpaceBalloon, which lifted the spacecraft to an impressive altitude of approximately 100,000 feet. The test was carefully orchestrated, with the spacecraft making a controlled descent and a smooth splashdown at sea.

The mission highlighted several technological advancements in space travel. Notably, the new four-roller mechanism for balloon launch, a key innovation by Space Perspective, sets a new benchmark for marine spaceports. The Spaceship Neptune capsule, equipped with the largest windows ever used in space travel, successfully maintained cabin pressure and stability at peak altitude, underscoring the design’s effectiveness and safety.

The spacecraft’s advanced thermal control system handled extreme temperature variations, ensuring that future passengers will enjoy a comfortable environment. The test also validated the use of hydrogen lift gas with the SpaceBalloon, proving its reliability for reaching the edge of space and ensuring a safe descent.

Mission control operations ran smoothly, with the proprietary software and communication systems performing as intended. The retrieval process, which involved a fast boat and crane, was executed without complications.