A balloon ride to the outer limits
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Trials are soon to begin of Spaceship Neptune, a high-flying balloon designed to carry eight passengers to the edge of space
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SPACESHIP NEPTUNE

Dome: Allows unobstructed 360-degree views

Trunk space: Area reserved for scientific instruments

Panoramic windows:
Convex design offers views of Earth below and stars above

Occupants: Nine (pilot and eight paying passengers)

Comfort: Reclining chairs for ascent and descent. Refreshments

Cost: $125,000 per person (half cost of other sub-orbital flights)

Duration: 6 hours 

Restroom: Below main deck

Spashdown cone: Eases capsule into sea at end of flight

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FLIGHT
                       
Float altitude: 100,000ft (19 miles/30km)
Float duration: 2 hours

Commercial jet altitude: 45,000ft

Sensors and antenna: Keep pilot informed of conditions outside and offer passengers wi-fi connection to Earth

Recovery ship takes capsule and passengers back to shore
            
Launch pad
(Kennedy Space Center, Florida)

Gentle splash- down
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Sources: Space Perspective, CBS News
Picture: Space Perspective
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