Zephalto: First stratospheric flight scheduled for 2024

A French company founded in 2013 under the name “Zephyr Endless Flight” has scheduled Earth flyovers in 2024, aboard their helium-powered stratospheric balloon.

Officially known as Zephalto since 2016, the French company based in Pouget (Hérault) plans to take passengers into the Earth’s stratosphere with their balloon named “Céleste” by 2024.

Founded by Vincent Farret d’Astiès, a former air traffic controller at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGAC), Zephalto will accommodate up to six people in a balloon so they can navigate at an altitude of 25 km above the solid ground. During six hours, you’ll be able to be amateur astronauts and experience the “overview effect” (overview effect).

So, it’s your turn to play Evelyne Dhéliat and present us the weather!

Details of the Zephalto project

Originally known as “Zephyr Endless Flight,” the project has undergone some changes since its start in 2013. Initially a form of association, the primary goal was to achieve a record 30-day flight in a gas balloon, with two pilots on board.

Since this flight never materialized, the company turned to the stratospheric balloon. Now in partnership with the National Centre for Space Studies (CNES) and the European Space Agency (ESA), this private company will allow a few lucky people to travel around the Earth in a 20 m² balloon.

Our patents are still in progress for this project. It already underwent a test flight in 2020, reaching a maximum altitude of 1.5 km above the ground. The goal is to elevate the balloon into the stratosphere at 25 km above the Earth’s surface, so the company still has work to do.

Good news, however: you can participate in this project! You can already pre-book your seat aboard the stratospheric balloon for the modest sum of €10,000. Note that this price is only part of the total cost, which adds up to €120,000. Enough to make it a once-in-a-lifetime journey, just like in the Disney movie Up… Bon voyage to everyone!

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