For countless generations, the idea of venturing beyond the Earth’s atmosphere and exploring the vast expanse of space has always captivated human imagination. While billionaires such as Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Richard Branson strive to make casual space travel a near reality, the idea of embarking on galaxy getaways, staying in orbiting hotels, or securing a ticket to Mars still remains a distant fantasy for most travellers.
But what if we told you that jetting off to space isn’t a fantasy at all, but a concrete possibility? Enter Zephalto, a French start–up led by Vincent Farret d’Astiès, aiming to make space travel a reality sooner than we think. Zephalto has emerged as a key player in the ongoing billionaire space race, promising to offer passenger flights to space as early as 2024.

Farret d’Astiès, driven by his childhood fascination with space exploration, has merged the quest to explore the stars with a steadfast dedication to preserving our planet. With Zephalto, he dares to dream differently. At the heart of Zephalto’s ambitious vision lies “Celeste,” a low–carbon luxury space balloon that has been seven years in the making.
About Celeste
Designed as a pressurised capsule suspended beneath a colossal helium balloon, Celeste is poised to carry a group of up to six passengers, along with two skilled pilots, to the very edge of space. It’s a remarkable engineering feat that propels passengers to stratospheric heights of up to 25 km in just over an hour— surpassing the altitude reached by conventional passenger jets.
What to expect
The journey to space aboard Celeste is more than just reaching the destination — it’s an immersive experience that offers passengers a unique perspective on our planet, the sun, and the stars.
Spending three hours in the stratosphere, travellers have the opportunity to witness Earth from a spherical curve, experiencing the awe–inspiring phenomenon known as the Overview Effect. This overwhelming sense of oneness and connectedness leaves a profound impact on how we view our planet—a perspective previously reserved for astronauts.
Refined design
To enhance this extraordinary journey, the interiors of Celeste have been meticulously designed by Joseph Dirand, a renowned French designer known for his work on prestigious establishments like Balmain and Givenchy stores in Paris. Dirand’s modern minimalist style ensures that the focus remains on the most essential element: the breath–taking views of Earth unfolding before passengers’ eyes.
Dining at high altitude
No quintessentially French endeavour is complete without the finest cuisine. In collaboration with some of France’s most esteemed chefs and restaurants, passengers will also be able to savour tailormade dishes prepared by renown chefs while floating on the edge of space. Passengers will also have access to Wi–Fi connectivity, allowing them to share their celestial adventure with friends and family back on Earth, ensuring that no moment is missed.
How much does it cost?
As Zephalto gears up to welcome passengers aboard their low–carbon luxury space balloon, reservations for a ticket to leave this planet are skyrocketing, priced at $132,000 per ticket. The experience is not only an “out–of–this–world” experience — it represents a bold and responsible stride towards a sustainable future in casual space exploration.
While Zephalto’s current offering is just the beginning, plans to expand to overnight stays and longer journeys are also in the pipeline. The inagural flight, which will depart from Hérault, France may just be a small step for Celeste, but it signifies a giant leap in the realm of commercial space travel.