Bloon: Zero2Infinity Proposes Eco Friendly Near-Space Travel With a Helium Filled Balloon

Privatized space travel is all the rage right now, and with at least one <a href="http://inhabitat.com/foster-partners-unveil-spaceport-america/">commercial space port</a> coming online soon, there is likely to be a rush of well-to-doers looking to be launched into space. But if airline travel has a big footprint, <a href="http://inhabitat.com/space-tourism-could-severely-exacerbate-climate-change/">space travel has an even greater footprint</a>. To solve that conundrum, Barcelona-based Zero2Infinity has proposed a far more environmentally sound way to get to space - via <a href="http://inhabitat.com/skylifter-balloon-can-lift-entire-buildings-and-put-em-down-gently/">helium balloon</a>. The <a href="http://www.inbloon.com/" target="_blank">Bloon Balloon</a> is a specially crafted pod that is lifted into near space without any propellants, noise or emissions. So far the company has successfully tested scaled prototypes to altitudes up to 33km, and they expects to perform their first human test flight sometime in 2012.

The Bloon Balloon can be launched anywhere in the world with a flight specially catered to the passengers.

Four passengers plus two pilots can fit inside the 'Bloon' which is launched off a specially crafted inflatable dome set on the ground.

When released the lighter-than-air <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/helium-balloon">helium balloon</a> lifts the pod off the ground and into space where you cruise at 36 km for about two hours.

To come down, the helium gas is vented into space and then the balloon separates and the parafoil is deployed to control descent back down to earth.

Eight inflatable feet are extended from the craft to create a cushion for landing.

Bloon will not use any propellants to achieve near-space travel and creates <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/zero-emissions">no emissions</a> as a result.

The system is virtually silent and requires no major infrastructure for launching, only a portable and inflatable structure that can be used anywhere in the world.

With a scaled prototype test under their belts, the company hopes to perform their first human test flight in 2012 in a 'minibloon' craft.

By 2015, the company expects to be carrying human passengers up to 36 km. The company also hopes to make use of the flights for <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/climate-research">scientific research about climate</a> and conditions in the upper stratosphere.

Tickets to ride on a 3-hr Bloon tour are estimated to cost 110,000 euro (approx $US 160,000).

Views of earth in near-space.

Controlled descent with the parafoil.

Touch down.