BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – The future of the giant balloon that planned to take people to the stratosphere from Brevard County is unknown after court records show the company behind the audacious plan was served an eviction notice on Friday.
Records show that Space Perspective owes $90,295 in unpaid rent to Titusville-Cocoa Airport Authority which oversees the Space Coast Regional Airport in Titusville where they are headquartered.
The company announced In October 2021 that secured $40 million in new funding, which was its target.
In September 2024, Space Perspective company announced that it had already sold more than 1,800 tickets at $125,000 a pop after they completed its second uncrewed flight test from Titusville, sending its “Spaceship Neptune” vessel to an altitude of 100,000 feet and back in about six hours.
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And in October 2024, News 6 reported that Sir Richard Branson, the thrill-seeking billionaire behind the high-flying Virgin brand, was announced as a co-pilot for Space Perspective’s first crewed test flight of commercialized stratospheric balloon travel.
Space Perspective called their future passengers “explorers” and the slow, gentle six-hour ride was to include a meal and drinks as guests marvel at the thin blue line of Earth’s atmosphere.
Space Perspective’s X page has not has an update posted since Dec. 5 and their Facebook page has been silent since Dec. 12.
News 6 reached out to the communications and marketing team that would send press releases on Space Perspective’s behalf as recent as September 2024, but was told “we aren’t currently engaged” by them. They promised to share our inquiry with the “appropriate members of their team.”
On Monday, Space Perspective issued a statement on the company furloughs.
A Space Perspective spokesperson confirms company furloughs. As a deep tech startup, Space Perspective has had a successful 2024 launching its demonstration flight program and providing it can build, launch, and fly its capsule and balloon successfully. It has already achieved significant milestones. As the company scales, new skill sets are required as the business changes—so as it moves through its next round of funding, it is positioning itself for the next stage. As the business evolves and a new market is defined, it will require total efficiency. Leadership is grateful for those that have been on the journey with us, for those who will continue, and for new team members who will be key to deliver our next phase.
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