On June 18, 2014, an Arizona company, World View, said it has successfully completed the first small-scale test flight of a high-altitude balloon and capsule being developed to let tourists float 100,000 feet above the earth. The prototype capsule was lofted by a helium balloon which reached an altitude of 120,000 feet. It then descended to 50,000 feet, deployed an aerodynamic parafoil and safely landed.
Here’s a video from World View about the test flight:
The company is planning to begin its $75,000 per-person flights in 2016. According to their website,
Guests will enjoy 360-degree vistas of the world’s most spectacular panorama, marveling at the beauty of the Earth below, watching the sun slowly rise above the curvature of our planet suspended in a vast, black and infinite universe.
Get a closer look at the capsule..
Here is a stunning video from their YouTube channel..