SpaceVIP to offer a luxury dining experience in space
SpaceVIP, a premier space travel company, is set to provide food connoisseurs and space enthusiasts with an unparalleled dining experience in the stratosphere. This six-hour adventure aboard a state-of-the-art space balloon will showcase a gourmet menu crafted by Rasmus Munk, the acclaimed Danish chef from Alchemist, a restaurant boasting two Michelin stars. Slated for launch in 2025, this extravagant journey carries a price tag of nearly US$500,000 per ticket. Yet it has already piqued the interests of many prospective adventurers.
SpaceVIP's vision for future gastronomic expeditions in space
While this pioneering journey carries a substantial cost, SpaceVIP intends to host more expeditions and gradually reduce prices. According to Roman Chiporukha, founder of SpaceVIP, there has been an overwhelming response from numerous qualified participants. The company expects to confirm all passengers for its inaugural trip within weeks. Proceeds from this expedition will benefit the Space Prize Foundation, which advocates for gender equality in science and technology fields.
A stellar menu by a celebrated chef for space journeys
Denmark's esteemed Alchemist restaurant is celebrated for its groundbreaking and immersive dining experience. Not only that, it secured the fifth place in The World's Best 50 Restaurants guide for 2023. Munk aims to create a menu as inventive as the journey itself, contemplating concepts like aerogel-inspired cuisine and encapsulated aroma. Despite the trip's steep cost, Munk confirmed that demand exceeds available seats on the spacecraft.
Cutting-edge technology powering the space voyage
The space balloon journey requires no specific training or equipment for passengers. The spacecraft, constructed by Space Perspective will elevate a pressurized capsule 30 kilometres (100,000 feet) above sea level using NASA-developed technology. Dubbed Spaceship Neptune, it is the world's first carbon-neutral spaceship and is scheduled to launch from Florida's Kennedy Space Center in late 2025. Test flights are due to start in April.
Space dining: A familiar concept with a fresh twist
Interestingly, SpaceVIP isn't the pioneer in offering space dining experiences. In 2023, French company Zephalto revealed plans to provide dining experiences on a balloon at the stratosphere's edge, with prices starting at $132,000 and trips commencing in 2025. However, SpaceVIP sets itself apart with its unique partnership with a Michelin-starred chef and an ambitious plan for a gourmet menu.
