Space tourism is a hot topic in travel these days, but what exactly is space tourism? Jane Poynter, the co-founder and -CEO of Space Perspective, give us the low-down on the realities of space tourism today—and how the facts in this case might be even better than the fantasy.

Poynter’s career in space tourism stems from her time as one of the original team members of Biosphere 2, an experiment in which she and seven colleagues lived in a man-made, hermetically sealed environment for two years to test our capabilities of living on other planets. The Arizona facility—which was even more tightly sealed than the International Space Station—included its own rainforest, a desert, an ocean, animal species, and more, all living in a self-sustaining environment. This experience—as well as her training for the mission, which included sailing across the Indian Ocean—drastically changed her perspective about our planet and the possibilities beyond.

Following her two-year mission in Arizona, Poynter and her husband and fellow Biosphere 2 member Taber MacCallum started the Paragon Space Development Corporation, which specializes in developing technologies for keeping people healthy and thriving in extreme environments like space. In 2019, they founded Space Perspective—and introduced a completely new concept in space tourism. While companies like Virgin Galactic, SpaceX, and Blue Origin involve rocket ships and planes, Space Perspective takes clients to the stratosphere via a high-tech, low-impact balloon.

Space balloon technology has been used by NASA for scientific purposes for decades. Launching in 2024, Space Perspective’s Spaceship Neptune balloon will take eight passengers and a pilot, traveling at about 12 mph, to the stratosphere, 99% above the Earth’s atmosphere. During the two-hour ascension, passengers will witness views of the stars and watch the sun rise over the curvature of the Earth. With the sun will come bird’s-eye views of whatever region of the world the balloon departs from (initial departures will be from Florida, including from the Kennedy Space Center).

Throughout the experience, passengers can enjoy a bar, gourmet food, WiFi, educational programs, and more. At the conclusion, the vessel slowly descends back to Earth and lands in the ocean, where passengers will be taken back to shore. According to Poynter, the journey to the top of the atmosphere is only 20 miles—and the spaceship is virtually emission-free.

Poynter also talks about Virgin Galactic and other space tourism options for travelers, as well as where she sees the industry going—and how it will benefit people and the Earth. Be sure to stick around until the end to hear her take on the Overview Effect and making space travel more accessible, as well as Bruce’s update on space hotels.

LEARN MORE:

Space Hotel Details: https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/space-astronomy/voyager-station-first-space-hotel-open-2027

Space Perspective: https://traveltothespace.com/

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Learn more about the podcast: https://www.curtco.com/travelthatmatters

Hosted by: Bruce Wallin

Produced by: AJ Moseley

Music by: Joey Salvia

A CurtCo Media Production

Space tourism is a hot topic in travel these days, but what exactly is space tourism? Jane Poynter, the co-founder and -CEO of Space Perspective, give us the low-down on the realities of space tourism today&mdash;and how the facts in this case might be even better than the fantasy.
Poynter&rsquo;s career in space tourism stems from her time as one of the original team members of Biosphere 2, an experiment in which she and seven colleagues lived in a man-made, hermetically sealed environment for two years to test our capabilities of living on other planets. The Arizona facility&mdash;which was even more tightly sealed than the International Space Station&mdash;included its own rainforest, a desert, an ocean, animal species, and more, all living in a self-sustaining environment. This experience&mdash;as well as her training for the mission, which included sailing across the Indian Ocean&mdash;drastically changed her perspective about our planet and the possibilities beyond.
Following her two-year mission in Arizona, Poynter and her husband and fellow Biosphere 2 member Taber MacCallum started the Paragon Space Development Corporation, which specializes in developing technologies for keeping people healthy and thriving in extreme environments like space. In 2019, they founded Space Perspective&mdash;and introduced a completely new concept in space tourism. While companies like Virgin Galactic, SpaceX, and Blue Origin involve rocket ships and planes, Space Perspective takes clients to the stratosphere via a high-tech, low-impact balloon.
Space balloon technology has been used by NASA for scientific purposes for decades. Launching in 2024, Space Perspective&rsquo;s Spaceship Neptune balloon will take eight passengers and a pilot, traveling at about 12 mph, to the stratosphere, 99% above the Earth&rsquo;s atmosphere. During the two-hour ascension, passengers will witness views of the stars and watch the sun rise over the curvature of the Earth. With the sun will come bird&rsquo;s-eye views of whatever region of the world the balloon departs from (initial departures will be from Florida, including from the Kennedy Space Center).
Throughout the experience, passengers can enjoy a bar, gourmet food, WiFi, educational programs, and more. At the conclusion, the vessel slowly descends back to Earth and lands in the ocean, where passengers will be taken back to shore. According to Poynter, the journey to the top of the atmosphere is only 20 miles&mdash;and the spaceship is virtually emission-free.
Poynter also talks about Virgin Galactic and other space tourism options for travelers, as well as where she sees the industry going&mdash;and how it will benefit people and the Earth. Be sure to stick around until the end to hear her take on the Overview Effect and making space travel more accessible, as well as Bruce&rsquo;s update on space hotels.
LEARN MORE:
Space Hotel Details: <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/space-astronomy/voyager-station-first-space-hotel-open-2027">https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/space-astronomy/voyager-station-first-space-hotel-open-2027</a>
Space Perspective: <a href="https://traveltothespace.com/">https://traveltothespace.com/</a>
-----------------------------------
Learn more about the podcast: <a href="https://www.curtco.com/travelthatmatters">https://www.curtco.com/travelthatmatters</a>
Hosted by: Bruce Wallin
Produced by: AJ Moseley
Music by: Joey Salvia
A CurtCo Media Production

Travel That Matters (named one of the 10 Best Podcasts of 2022 by Men’s Journal) explores the world’s most extraordinary travel experiences and destinations with award-winning editor, writer, and luxury travel expert Bruce Wallin. Bruce’s remarkable guests share inspiring, life-shaping stories about their adventures and cultural explorations, as well as travel tips and recommendations for the best destinations, hotels, restaurants, activities, and more. Their travel tales and insights cover everything from where to find delicious foods and ingredients and the most luxurious resorts and hotels, to the most fascinating modern cultural experiences and historical explorations.

The show’s special Master Chef episodes highlight the travels and tastes of the world’s top chefs, from culinary adventures through Africa with Marcus Samuelsson and exploring remote corners of Japan with Daniel Boulud, to discovering insider spots in Australia with Curtis Stone and relaxing and rejuvenating with Nina Compton on the beautiful island of Saint Lucia, with its stunning beaches and lush rainforests. You’ll even hear stories about great travelers like Anthony Bourdain and get souvenir recommendations, from traditional handicrafts to unique local delicacies.

Episodes of Travel That Matters span the globe, from Sicily, Italy, to Oaxaca, Mexico, to Tel-Aviv, Israel, and beyond. Listeners also learn about the greatest activities around the United States—award-winning wine tasting, the best new restaurants, epic hiking trails, secret skiing and surfing spots, and charming boutiques in places like Healdsburg and Napa Valley (California), Willamette Valley (Oregon), Jackson Hole (Wyoming), and New Orleans (Louisiana).

Listen to Travel That Matters every other Tuesday and gain insider knowledge to impactful adventures, extravagant hotels, top chefs, and secret hideaways, and discover the magic of travel at its very best.

Travel That Matters (named one of the 10 Best Podcasts of 2022 by Men’s Journal) explores the world’s most extraordinary travel experiences and destinations with award-winning editor, writer, and luxury travel expert Bruce Wallin. Bruce’s remarkable guests share inspiring, life-shaping stories about their adventures and cultural explorations, as well as travel tips and recommendations for the best destinations, hotels, restaurants, activities, and more. Their travel tales and insights cover everything from where to find delicious foods and ingredients and the most luxurious resorts and hotels, to the most fascinating modern cultural experiences and historical explorations.
The show’s special Master Chef episodes highlight the travels and tastes of the world’s top chefs, from culinary adventures through Africa with Marcus Samuelsson and exploring remote corners of Japan with Daniel Boulud, to discovering insider spots in Australia with Curtis Stone and relaxing and rejuvenating with Nina Compton on the beautiful island of Saint Lucia, with its stunning beaches and lush rainforests. You’ll even hear stories about great travelers like Anthony Bourdain and get souvenir recommendations, from traditional handicrafts to unique local delicacies.
Episodes of Travel That Matters span the globe, from Sicily, Italy, to Oaxaca, Mexico, to Tel-Aviv, Israel, and beyond. Listeners also learn about the greatest activities around the United States—award-winning wine tasting, the best new restaurants, epic hiking trails, secret skiing and surfing spots, and charming boutiques in places like Healdsburg and Napa Valley (California), Willamette Valley (Oregon), Jackson Hole (Wyoming), and New Orleans (Louisiana).
Listen to Travel That Matters every other Tuesday and gain insider knowledge to impactful adventures, extravagant hotels, top chefs, and secret hideaways, and discover the magic of travel at its very best.

Explore the world’s most extraordinary travel experiences with award-winning editor, writer, and luxury travel expert Bruce Wallin. Each episode will inspire you with fascinating stories about unique, life-shaping journeys—and connect you to the remarkable people who make them possible. Gain insider access to extravagant hotels, impactful adventures, and secret hideaways, and discover the magic of travel at its very best.

Travel That Matters

If you think space tourism is all about rocket ships and renegade billionaires, then you haven’t met Jane Poynter. The co-founder and -CEO of a company called Space Perspective—and an original Biosphere 2 team member back in the ’90s—Poynter gives us the low-down on balloons, bars, emission-free ships, and other surprising realities of space tourism today.

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