Space Tourism to Launch in Korea Within Two Years

Zero2Infinity, a Spanish Space Company, Enters Korea
After Launching Space Memorial Services for Pets,
Now Aiming for Manned Space Tourism

It appears that space tourism will become available in Korea within the next two years.

As the Spanish private aerospace company Zero2Infinity pushes forward with its space tourism service using helium balloon spacecraft in Korea, there is growing attention on whether the domestic space tourism industry will be revitalized.

On July 7, at Kyungwonjae by Walkerhill in Songdo, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, Zero2Infinity held a press conference to announce the launch of 'Zero2Infinity Korea.' The company unveiled its business plans, including domestic space tourism services and a space memorial service for pets.

Jose Mariano Lopez Urdiales, CEO of Zero2Infinity, is answering reporters' questions at the 'Zero2Infinity Korea Launch Press Conference' held on the afternoon of the 7th at Kyungwonjae by Walkerhill in Songdo, Incheon. Provided by Zero2Infinity Korea

Zero2Infinity, founded in 2009 by CEO Jose Mariano Lopez Urdiales, a former aerospace engineer, specializes in providing space tourism services by launching helium balloon-shaped spacecraft to an altitude of 40 km, between the stratosphere and the mesosphere.

Announcing the launch of Zero2Infinity Korea, CEO Jose Mariano stated, "Zero2Infinity's balloon-based space technology offers a much safer and gentler approach than traditional rocket propulsion methods." He added, "Korea is the first country where we have established a meaningful corporation," and explained, "Korea has many educational institutions producing highly educated talent, and its advanced automotive industry makes it an ideal country for building the desired spacecraft," outlining the reasons for entering the Korean market.

However, Zero2Infinity has not yet commercialized its space tourism service. Currently, the company has succeeded in reaching an altitude of approximately 9.7 km with manned flights and 32 km with unmanned flights using its balloon spacecraft.

CEO Jose stated, "Assuming that funding proceeds smoothly, the commercialization of high-altitude manned flights above 30 km should be possible within two years." If Zero2Infinity Korea's space tourism service is commercialized, it is expected that each passenger will pay about 160 million won and spend approximately five hours in space, enjoying views of Earth.

Before launching its space tourism service, Zero2Infinity Korea plans to introduce the 'Byul' project in December in collaboration with the pet funeral service company 21gram(g). The project involves placing pet remains into star-shaped objects and scattering them like stars in space at an altitude of 32 km.

The Byul project is a unique and emotional space service that combines nature and technology. The company aims to realize a new perspective on life and death starting from Korea, as space technology becomes more accessible to the public. Through the process of promoting the Byul project, Zero2Infinity Korea also plans to accumulate additional technology for manned spacecraft activities in space.

Lee Jongho, Chairman of the Board at Zero2Infinity Korea, said, "From September to November, we plan to collect 2,100 pet remains at a cost of less than 1 million won each, and if there are no variables such as weather conditions, we aim to conduct the first launch in Korea in December." He added, "Ultimately, our goal is to make it possible for people to do everything they eat, drink, and live with in space in the not-too-distant future."

CEO Jose emphasized, "Space is no longer the exclusive domain of distant countries, and through the launch of Zero2Infinity Korea, we want to show that Korea can also fully develop its space industry."