Zero 2 Infinity Unveils Bloon Pod for Affordable Stratosphere Tours at $132,000 per Seat
Key Takeaways
- The Bloon pod offers a 36km stratosphere tour for $132,483 per passenger, significantly less than competitors like SpaceX and Blue Origin
- Flights last roughly 4.5 hours, including ascent, two-hour float, and descent with optional microgravity experience
- Each Bloon mission can carry four passengers plus two trained pilots, with pre-flight safety training required
Spanish aerospace startup Zero 2 Infinity has entered the growing space tourism market with an innovative approach to stratospheric travel. Founded in 2009 by CEO Jose Mariano Lopez Urdiales, the company specializes in affordable space access through advanced balloon technologies, operating three service lines: Bloostar for satellite launches, Elevate for research payloads, and the newly announced Bloon system designed for passenger flights.
The Bloon system uses a pressurized helium-filled balloon to lift a custom passenger pod to an altitude of 36 kilometers above Earth. While this falls short of the 100km "edge of space" targets pursued by rivals, Zero 2 Infinity highlights several key advantages. A complete Bloon journey takes approximately 4.5 hours: 1.5 hours to ascend, two hours floating at peak altitude, and one hour to descend. Passengers may optionally experience brief microgravity during the descent phase. Each mission accommodates four passengers alongside two experienced pilots, and all travelers receive two days of safety training before flight.
Zero 2 Infinity emphasizes strong customization options for Bloon experiences, allowing passengers to select launch locations, catering menus, and other preferences. The company plans public ticket sales soon, priced at $132,483 per seat. This positions Bloon between competitors: beneath SpaceX's projected $55 million per seat but above Blue Origin's $200,000 fare and Space Perspective's planned $125,000 offering. Notably, while Space Perspective schedules unmanned test flights for 2021, established rivals aim to have operational missions by that time. The inaugural Bloon passenger will be professional mountaineer Raha Moharrak.
