Zephalto is the first company in the world to offer a low-carbon flight into the stratosphere, accessible to all.
The name comes from Zephyr, the Greek god of the west wind who carefully guides travelers, and from the Latin alto, altitude. Zephalto is an ascent, carried by the winds.
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<aside> <img src="/icons/token_gray.svg" alt="/icons/token_gray.svg" width="40px" /> LATEST NEWS ! October 2024 : Zephalto operates first-ever high-altitude manned flight in a green-hydrogen powered reusable balloon.
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Zephalto was founded in 2016 in Occitania, France, by aeronautical engineer Vincent Farret d'Astiès, who sought to change the space travel industry and create a unique and exclusive experience - low carbon travel, in harmony with nature and the elements.
Drawing inspiration from Jules Verne's great adventurers and scientists like Auguste Piccard, Zephalto combines its Toulouse-based engineering team's research with expertise from the French space agency (CNES) and leading aerospace entities, such as ESA. This technical foundation, along with France's rich heritage in gas balloon piloting, drives the company's innovation.
Starting 2025, the company will be taking its first passengers aboard their capsule, Celeste, for a timeless experience. This pressurized capsule meeting the highest safety standards in the space and aeronautics industry, allows travelers to be plunged into the stratosphere, and for several hours be able to observe the splendors of the universe and the curvature of the Earth, which only trained astronauts have been able to observe. This transformative experience is called the Overview Effect.
A true technological feat, Zephalto's flights will considerably advance science by multiplying space and ground observations, collecting atmospheric data on unprecedented profiles and setting up new experimental protocols.
Zephalto is transforming the space landscape and invites travelers to dare to make their dreams come true.
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Zephalto will depart from France with two pilots and six guests on board. The capsule will climb to 25 km (82k feet) above Earth in 90 minutes. The entire flight lasts six hours, with three hours spent at peak altitude—15 km (50k feet) higher than commercial airliners.
In Céleste, guests will witness the curvature of the Earth against the darkness of space while enjoying luxurious comfort, impeccable hospitality, and -cherry on top- a Michelin-star culinary experience. This transformative journey is accessible to people of all ages and physical conditions, offering a completely new perspective on our world.
Wonder and contemplate an absolutely unique panorama. By freeing yourself from light pollution and carbon footprint, it is the essence of Space, the beauty of the Earth immersed in darkness and the colors of the stars that are offered to your eyes.
Prepare to indulge in a sumptuous and unparalleled adventure with Zephalto. We bring a touch of French delicacy and refinement to accompany our travelers, promising an experience like no other. Nestled within our thoughtfully designed cocoons, passengers will be able to luxuriate in breathtaking views of Earth, all while basking in serenity and comfort. Zephalto curates a privileged, timeless moment for travelers to revel in the sheer beauty of the spectacle.
The Overview Effect consists in admiring our Earth, our origin, with a totally new perspective, surrounded by its blue halo. Astronauts describe an unforgettable emotion that exists only at this altitude.