Design Studio Develops Spaceship to Take Ordinary People Into Space

Neptune by PriestmanGoode

Concept photo of spaceship “Neptune” balloon and capsule above the earth

If you’ve ever longed to view space like an astronaut, but lacked the training from NASA, you're in luck. London-based design studio PriestmanGoode collaborated with U.S.-based company Space Perspective to create a two-part spaceship called Neptune. This futuristic craft is designed to provide adventure seekers an out-of-this-world experience.

At the heart Neptune's designs is a focus on nurturing the “human experience” by providing inspirational views. “Our starting point was the passenger experience,” says Nigel Goode, Designer and Co-Founder of PriestmanGoode. “We looked at all the different elements that would make the experience not just memorable, but truly comfortable as well.”

Grounded Spaceship, Ready to Board.

Concept photo of “Neptune” grounded and ready for boarding

To ensure the success and comfort goals of this ambitious vision, Neptune's spinning top-shaped capsule (which is attached to a giant high-altitude balloon) features a spacious area with floor-to-ceiling windows for optimal viewing, in addition to seating and a restroom. Neptune is designed to be navigated by a pilot and hold up to eight passengers (referred to as “Explorers”) who, in comfort and wonder, would embark on a six-hour journey.

The capsule would ascend above 99% of the earth’s atmosphere to 100,000 feet. At that point, it would spend two hours cruising above earth—time designated for social media, photography, and simply absorbing the spectacular views. The final two hours would consist of a steady decent towards earth and a landing at sea. That's where a retrieval crew would be ready to collect the passengers and Neptune itself. Neptune's trips were also designed for research payloads and to further support atmospheric studies.

Neptune's first un-crewed test flight is scheduled for early 2021.

Design studio PriestmanGoode created a concept for a spaceship called Neptune that can take ordinary people up into space.

Leaving Earth and Going to Space

Concept photo of spaceship “Neptune” and its “Explorers” ascending into space

Passengers in Space

Concept photo of a spinning top-shaped spaceship “Neptune” above the earth

Passengers on the Spaceship Neptune

Concept photo of spaceship “Neptune” passengers looking at views from the ship

Watch an animated visualization of Neptune here:

PriestmanGoode: Website | Twitter
Space Perspective: Website | Twitter

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by PriestmanGoode.

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Sonya Harris

Sonya Harris is a Contributing Writer at My Modern Met and a multi-platform artist and storyteller based in Seattle, Washington. She is a graduate of the University of Washington and has worked in Audio Production for Seattle NPR station KUOW. With a passion for storytelling in podcasting, Sonya is also an avid lover of tea, watercolors, photography, and film. She considers herself a voracious learner and seeker of the peculiar, whimsical, and inspiring.
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