The next giant leap for mankind? A luxury spa in space

Fancy a trip to a moonbase getaway or a luxury space hotel? Well, it doesn’t really matter. Whether you like it or not, space tourism is coming soon to a galaxy near you, with billionaires already burning tonnes of CO2 to power their wacky little trips into orbit. Not so long ago, of course, these journeys were long and difficult, more like survival missions that relaxing holidays. As demand increases, though, we’ll no doubt see more efficient and comfortable spacecraft on offer, furnished with all the latest and greatest facilities. Naturally, that includes the all-important bathroom situation.

Jane Poynter, founder and co-CEO of the balloon-based space exploration company Space Perspective, addresses this pressing issue in a recent press statement. “One of the most consistent questions we receive when people learn that our spaceflight lasts six hours is if there will be a loo,” she says. “The answer is always, of course, yes. And there is no need for a vacuum toilet like astronauts contend with, or a diaper.”

In fact, for the high-paying customers on its upcoming Spaceship Neptune trips, Space Perspective has developed a bathroom-slash-spa to rival anything Earth has to offer... well, it’s better than a Ryanair toilet at least. With “optimistic” colour tones, soft ambient lighting, and curved architecture, the extraterrestrial toilet will play a soothing role in passengers’ experience, Poynter suggests, adding: “[It] accentuates the incredible views of the deep blackness of space, the brilliant thin blue line of our atmosphere, the stars above and the Earth below.”

Admittedly, when Poynter says “space”, she’s actually talking about the stratosphere. For $125,000, Spaceship Neptune will carry visitors around 30 kilometres above Earth (significantly below the Kármán line, which at 100 kilometres above sea level is often regarded as the edge of space) only to splash down in the ocean six hours after takeoff. All of this will be done via the SpaceBalloon, a type of balloon previously used by NASA to lift scientific equipment into the atmosphere.

Like most space missions, Spaceship Neptune passengers will also have to share a relatively cramped space, with little opportunity to get away from their fellow travellers (which could become quite unbearable, given the kinds of people currently interested in space travel). Once again, that’s where the space spa comes in.

“The Space Spa is the one place in the capsule’s interior where Explorers will be able to have a moment of solitude, so it was imperative that it felt like a retreat,” says Space Perspective designer Isabella Trani in the company’s statement. “Explorers will find this environment cocooning and comforting, with no sharp edges, which adds to the ambience and creates a very welcoming place.” You’ll be glad to know that the design also addresses some practical concerns, such as cleanliness, with wipe-down surfaces and greenery (specifically, Trani adds, this helps “promote sound and odour control”).

So, you can take in the majesty of our home planet and deep space while surrounded by the small, familiar pleasures of succulents and Aesop handwash. Lovely! But what else can you do onboard Spaceship Neptune? Well, the company promises a “world-class” menu of food and drink, plus comfy seating, and amenities like custom headphones and Wi-Fi (in case you get bored, I guess). Passengers can also travel with a clear conscience, since the company claims to operate “the world’s only carbon-neutral spaceship”, running on renewable hydrogen.

Apparently, there’s a big market for luxury “space” travel, too. Back in July, Space Perspective announced that it had already sold more than 1,600 tickets (that’s $200 million in sales) making it the most popular space tourism company to date. Its first commercial space flights are scheduled for late 2024. How long until someone starts the 19-mile high club?

Read more about the booming business of space tourism here.