Soon you can have dinner in space in a low-carbon balloon (if you're rich)

Get ready to take your dining experience to literal new heights, soon we are able to enjoy high cuisine at the edge of space. French company Zephalto is introducing extravagant space journeys using low-carbon balloons, all the way to the stratosphere.

As humans venture further into the cosmos, the idea of holidays in space seems not so far off. Yet, the pursuit of space tourism is unfortunately not without consequences. Think about the harmful emissions of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gasses by spacecrafts. And then there is also the potential of ozone layer depletion due to the propellants of rockets. Furthermore, space launches can cause light pollution that interferes with astronomical observations. Luckily the industry is seeking for more sustainable technologies such as the use of eco-friendly propellants and the development of reusable rockets. And now, apparently, we will have low-carbon balloons.

“We chose 15.5 mile high because it’s the altitude where you are in the darkness of space so you can enjoy the curvature of the Earth in the blue line” 

With a focus on sustainable travel, Zephalto aims to blast individuals to the stratosphere by 2025. The company intends to offer 60 trips each year, departing from their spaceport in France. For three hours, participants will sit at an altitude of 15.5 miles enjoying the view including fine dining and wine tasting. “We chose 15.5 mile high because it’s the altitude where you are in the darkness of space, with 98% of the atmosphere below you, so you can enjoy the curvature of the Earth in the blue line” says founder Vincent Farret d’Astiès during an interview with media company Bloomberg. The experience doesn't come cheap: attached to the journey is a price tag of at least €120,000.

So far, space tourism has been an exclusive interstellar party for the elite, but ambitious plans for commercial space travel are rapidly emerging. Due to significant technological innovations coupled with the increased interest in having access to space, the space tourism market is expanding at a rapid growth rate.  exploring more sustainable alternatives is of grave importance to prevent further negative environmental impact on planet Earth. Whether luxury low-carbon balloon fares will be the designated solution to this problem is questionable, but the idea of dining in space sure is an exciting prospect.