Neptune has a spherical exterior, which makes its interior larger and more structurally sound. Splash cones soften landings on oceans.
As reported by Space Perspective, Spaceship Neptune will carry eight passengers into space in its newly designed capsule. The new capsule design provides more headroom and a safer experience for passengers.
It was the company’s new interior design released a few months ago that inspired the redesign of the capsule. A higher ceiling allowed the capsule to fit all the equipment it needed without feeling claustrophobic.
Siemens engineering created a new patent-pending “splash cone” for a waterborne re-entry for the new exterior which moved from a squat top and bottom to a more spherical shape.
The capsule prototype is being produced at a composite facility near Cape Kennedy Space Center, as are huge space balloons.
In 2024, the company will launch its first flight at a price of $125,000 per passenger. After ascending at 12 mph, the balloon will descend for two hours before splashing into the ocean off Florida’s coast. There is a bar, reclining chairs, oversized 360-degree windows, WiFi, and a tasteful décor that incorporates fresh herbs. There is also a restroom in the building. David Grutman has been hired as the Experience Curator by Space Perspective.
Despite all the niceties, the company has done a lot of work on the capsule’s structural engineering. “The strongest natural shape is a sphere,” MacCallum explained. “Despite the complexity of the exercise, we are now able to provide much more details in the engineering.”
MacCallum wanted a soft landing to prevent a belly flop in the splash cone. It took many iterations to get the splash cone right.
MacCallum estimates the final version will be tested between ten and twenty times once the prototype is complete. Before the crewed version is launched, unmanned testing will be conducted.
It may not fly as high or fast as its competitors’ rockets, but who can resist seeing the Earth for six hours from a futuristic Lay-Z-Boy with a Cosmopolitan in hand?
