Mercedes-Maybach will provide electric car transfers to thrill seekers departing on stratospheric balloon flights with Space Perspective. Gemma Harris reports
Luxury automotive brand Mercedes-Maybach has joined forces with the world’s first carbon-neutral spaceflight experience company, Space Perspective, to transport guests and explorers on the ground during travel to and from the spaceflights in the Maybach EQS SUV.
Founded in 2019, the Floridian start-up Space Perspective aims to reimagine space travel by offering high-net-worth individuals the opportunity to travel 100,000 feet above the planet’s surface. The company designed the Neptune pressurised capsule tethered to a giant SpaceBalloon as part of their mission to make human spaceflights safer and more accessible.
The customisable Neptune cabin accommodates up to eight explorers and a captain, with an experience that includes a meal and cocktail service, a lavatory, large windows to look back down to Earth, and even a wifi connection.
Taber MacCallum, founder and co-CEO of Space Perspective, says: “This partnership accelerates innovation and broadens market exposure for both companies’ respective positions of strength in electric automotive and space travel.”
Together, Mercedes-Maybach and Space Perspective are exploring “design and hospitality integrations” for the explorers’ end-to-end experiences.
Jane Poynter, founder and co-CEO of Space Perspective, says: “Pairing our all-electric Spaceship Neptune with the all-electric Mercedes-Maybach represents a sustainable and inspiration-filled future, not to mention a heightened overall experience for Space Perspective Explorers.”
The future will see Space Perspective continuing with uncrewed test flights this year as it prepares to launch crewed flights in 2024. With reservations already open, by the end of next year, it aims to begin commercial flights for over 1,650 clients who have secured their tickets, at a price tag of US$125,000, to the stratosphere.
Mercedes-Maybach has featured the SpaceBalloon in its brand campaign film to illustrate how the driving experience of their cars can transport passengers to the beyond, aligning with the Space Perspective mission.
Daniel Lescow, head of Mercedes-Maybach at Mercedes-Benz Group AG, says: “Our partnership with Space Perspective will allow space explorers to ride in style on the ground and for us to extend the highest level of Maybach refinement and brand experience to the edge of space.”
Furthermore, there is the possibility of incorporating additional design integrations from the Mercedes-Maybach experience and brand into the Space Perspective capsule.