Space tourism is rapidly becoming a reality, and one space travel startup has announced plans for what could be an unexpected highlight of the trip: a toilet with an out-of-this-world view.
Space Perspective is developing a pressurized capsule suspended from a high-tech balloon that will take passengers about 100,000 feet above Earth, nearly to the edge of space. The trip aboard the Spaceship Neptune will take approximately six hours, so the design team needed to incorporate an essential element: a toilet.
It’s not just any toilet, however. Dubbed the Space Spa, this toilet will have two windows with a direct view of the stars and the curvature of the Earth. While the entire ship offers incredible views, the toilet might just be the best seat in the house, as it offers passengers a private moment—on a toilet seat cushioned for comfort—to take in the beauty and process the incredible experience.
Space Perspective—"the first carbon-neutral way to travel to space"—anticipates launching its balloon flights to space with up to eight passengers by the end of 2024. Several steps—including rigorous safety tests—are underway, with test launches commencing soon. If you’re eager for a new perspective on the planet (and a new way to “enjoy the go”), you might have to wait a bit longer though, as all initial $125,000 seats are sold out.