Mercedes Will Send Rich Tourists To Space In Maybach Balloon

The2024 Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUVis the pinnacle of zero-emission land transportation, but now the German automaker wants to bring its unique brand of luxury out of this world with a new partnership. Mercedes will team up with Space Perspective to provide electric Maybach vehicles that will transport Space Perspective Explorers on the ground to their space flights.

Unlike some other private companies that offerrides into space, the Space Perspective Spaceship Neptune uses a SpaceBalloon that does not burn any fuel, so it is completely carbon-neutral. Instead of using rockets, the balloon slowly brings occupants to 100,000 feet in a pressurized capsule. There's no violent take off, just a gentle lift with meal and cocktail service. We should note that the atmosphere technically ends 62 miles (327,000 feet) above the surface, so the qualification of "space" is a bit iffy here.

The Maybach partnership is ideal for Space Perspective because it will ensure sustainable, carbon-neutral travel from the company's facilities to the launch site on Florida's Space Coast. "Our partnership with Space Perspective will allow space explorers to ride in style on the ground, and for us to extend the highest level of Maybach refinement and brand experience to the edge of space," said Daniel Lescow, Head of Mercedes-Maybach.

"Pairing our all-electric Spaceship Neptune with the all-electric Mercedes-Maybach represents a sustainable and inspiration-filled future, not to mention a heightened overall experience for Space Perspective Explorers," added Jane Poynter, Founder and Co-CEO of Space Perspective.