Space Perspective, a company known for its struggles in balloon-based tourism, has been acquired by a Spanish firm.
Eos X Space Acquires Space Perspective, Expanding into Stratospheric Balloon Tourism
Eos X Space, a leading player in the space tourism industry, has made a strategic move to consolidate its position by acquiring one of its key rivals, Space Perspective. The Florida-based company, which specialises in stratospheric balloon tourism, will continue to operate with full autonomy and under U.S. leadership and corporate structure despite the acquisition by the Madrid-based Eos X Space [1][3][4].
The acquisition comes as a lifeline for Space Perspective, which faced financial difficulties earlier in 2025, resulting in the furlough of nearly its entire workforce in January and eviction from the Florida airport that hosted several of its facilities [1][2]. For Eos X Space, it's a strategic move to join the top echelon of space tourism providers [1][2][3].
Kemel Kharbachi, Founder and CEO of Eos X Space, stated that this is a historic opportunity for the two former rivals to join forces and make manned balloon tourism a reality [6][7]. Together, they aim to offer a luxury, scenic, and tranquil alternative to rocket-based space tourism by using balloon-borne capsules like Space Perspective’s Spaceship Neptune, which offers trips to around 100,000 feet in the stratosphere [1][3].
Eos X Space plans to extend its operations and influence to the United States. They have plans to build facilities at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and Silicon Valley, and aim to move their global headquarters to the U.S. in the long term [3][5].
Space Perspective recently made a full, uncrewed test flight of the first Spaceship Neptune, named Excelsior, to a maximum altitude of about 100,000 feet (30,480 meters) in September of 2024 [2]. The company plans to offer balloon rides for tourists to the stratosphere, with seats priced at $125,000 each [1].
In the bathroom design for its balloon tourist flights, Space Perspective unveiled a 'Space Spa' concept, offering passengers a unique and comfortable experience [1]. Eos X Space views the acquisition as a declaration of its long-term vision to build a scalable, ethical, and efficient space tourism platform [3].
As Space Perspective becomes a subsidiary of Eos X Space, both companies pursue a shared goal of growing the stratospheric balloon tourism industry with expanded facilities and renewed financial backing [1][2][3][4][5]. The cooperation allows the two companies to combine their technological development and resources while maintaining distinct operations in the U.S. and Europe.
- Eos X Space's acquisition of Space Perspective signifies a significant expansion of their business in the space-and-astronomy industry.
- The joining of forces between Eos X Space and Space Perspective aims to revolutionize the previously rocket-based space tourism industry with balloon-borne capsules.
- The acquisition by Eos X Space has provided Space Perspective with fresh financial resources, potentially revitalizing its operations and technology development.
- With increased funding and infrastructure, the consolidated Eos X Space and Space Perspective aim to penetrate new markets in the finance, technology, and travel sectors for their stratospheric balloon tourism business.
