Zephalto recently unveiled its new landmark space travel offering — Céleste — a ‘Luxury Space Capsule’ that is aimed at sending small groups of guests 25km into the stratosphere, approximately 15km higher than commercial aeroplanes, where they’ll be able to admire the curvature of the Earth.
Céleste will be controlled by two pilots, can fit up to six guests, and each journey will have a flight time of six hours — 90 minutes to travel up to cruising altitude, followed by three hours in space, and then a 90-minute descent.
I am thrilled to have built the bridge between my dream of space travel and reality. Those who share my desire to travel in harmony with the elements and sun & wind, can finally do so onboard Céleste.
Vincent Farret d’Astiès, Zephalto founder and chief pilot
The capsule’s most important design inclusion is its large, eye-shaped windows as the biggest draw of the voyage is its views of the Earth, sun, and stars. Céleste is also expected to rotate gently, which will allow guests seated anywhere to be treated to stunning views.
The interiors will be cosy yet sophisticated, featuring carpets and upholstered seats and sofas bathed in an earthy colour scheme dominated by creams and whites in a bid to promote feelings of comfort and relaxation throughout the trip. The luxury doesn’t end here: each traveller will receive tailor-made offerings, including Michelin-starred cuisine upon request, in collaboration with French chefs who will create exclusive dishes focused on molecular and experimental cuisine.
After seven years of working on the approach, design and technical solutions, the concept is now palpable and will offer an extraordinarily immersive experience that will stage our Earth and Space.
Vincent Farret d’Astiès, Zephalto founder and chief pilot
“Our expert team has been working very hard to create a vessel that the Montgolfier brothers would have been proud of,” said Vincent Farret d’Astiès, Zephalto founder and chief pilot.
Céleste is set to launch in late 2024 and a limited quantity of pre-reservation tickets is being sold at €120,000 per person.
