Save the Earth While Seeing the Stars
Tags: fintech, community, payments, hackathon
Published: 2022-07-25 20:06:35

If you had the ability to see the Earth from space right now, would you take it? Historically, the only people to see the Earth from space were astronauts. They mentioned how their perspective was changed forever. 

But access to outer space is changing with the rise of [space tourism](https://htg2.devpost.com/) The birth of this industry allows paying customers to access outer space. A few notable companies have made the news with their space tourism flights, including Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin. 

Various different systems have been used to carry people to space, including rocketships and space planes. But what if there were a safer and environmentally friendly way to visit the edge of space? A company called Space Perspective is bringing that vision into reality.   

## Who is Space Perspective? 

Space Perspective is a company that is offering trips to space in a pressurized capsule attached to a space balloon. The balloon allows the capsule to float to the edge of space and safely descend. Space Perspective is led by a team of scientists, engineers, and astronauts who have worked to design and test their spacecraft. 

One of the company’s most notable achievements happened in 2014 when they used their space balloons to carry Alan Eustace to the edge of space, where he successfully performed the highest space dive ever attempted.  

Rapyd has a partnership with Space Perspective in order to give more members of the public the opportunity to reach the edge of space. This opportunity is provided through Rapyd’s Hack the Galaxy puzzle series.  

Through participating and solving Rapyd’s Hack the Galaxy puzzles, you could win a ticket aboard a Space Perspective capsule and win a trip to the edge of space! But, if you win and decide that you don’t want to go on the trip, then you can receive a cash alternative prize. 

The puzzles can be found in the [Rapyd Community](https://community.rapyd.net/) when you sign up as a member. 

## Traveling to the Edge of Space

Space Perspective is building a spaceship that they call Neptune. The capsule is fully pressurized and allows a panoramic, 360 degree view. The windows will be the largest ever flown to space. The capsule can sit eight passengers and a pilot. The capsule comes with a fully equipped bar to prepare toasts for the guests at the edge of space. Upcycled materials are used in the interior, taken from old space balloons. 

Another important aspect of the Neptune Capsule is its safety features. The capsule remains tethered to the space balloon during the entire duration of the flight. This creates less moving parts and more reliability. In addition, there is a reserve parachute system that can float the capsule back down to safety in the ocean in case of a failure or emergency.    

## Save the Environment While Seeing the Stars

The Space Perspective capsule is the only form of space travel that is carbon neutral. Rockets burn large amounts of fuel that harm the atmosphere, while the Neptune capsule rises towards the stars attached to a hydrogen filled balloon.

In addition, certain parts of the Neptune capsule are made of recycled materials. The capsule is reusable as well. When compared to multi-stage rockets that dump their boosters into the ocean, a reusable capsule is ideal for reducing waste.

If climate change is not controlled, the only planet that humans share may become dangerous to life. One way to change things for the better is to travel in ways that don’t damage the ozone.  

A space balloon is a far more accessible way to reach the edge of space because the passengers don’t experience extra G-forces. It’s also environmentally friendly. This allows a unique opportunity for people who may be unable to ride in a commercial rocket due to health reasons. 

## The Planet Earth

Our planet is a fragile living system that needs to be protected. Every person that gets the chance to see mankind’s home from the outside is changed forever. They understand how everyone can be connected, and how Earth is a hospitable place for life in the harsh environment of space. 

The rise of commercial space travel will extend this opportunity to thousands of people. Space Perspective is an emerging leader in this industry by pioneering sustainable and eco-friendly ways to travel.