Spacesuits need a major upgrade for the next phase of exploration 
If life exists on Jupiter’s moon Europa, scientists might soon be able to detect it 
Why is the universe ripping itself apart? A new study of exploding stars shows dark energy may be more complicated than we thought 
PUMA and Scuderia Ferrari Launch a New Era of Summer Fashion with Crews Go Summer Collection 
Doosan Robotics, LG Electronics Debut EV Charging Robot, Kicks Off Pilot Operation in South Korea 
Interest rates are expected to drop but trying to out-think the market won’t guarantee getting a good deal 
Samsung Electronics to Set Up Smart Home Services for Customized Smart Homes in Miami 
An education in music makes you a better employee. Are recruiters in tune? 
Xiaomi SU7 Offers Limited-Time Modification Service; Delivery Delays Extend to Six Months 
Burger King Launches New Whopper in South Korea After Chaotic Marketing Campaign 
Is attachment theory actually important for romantic relationships? 
Tesla Halts $25,000 Model NV9, Redirects Focus Despite Musk's Earlier Promises 
Eggs from men, sperm from women: how stem cell science may change how we reproduce 
Economists say Australia shouldn’t try to transition to net zero by aping the mammoth US Inflation Reduction Act 
Japanese startup Iwaya Giken is launching a space tourism business to take sightseers on balloon rides 25 kilometers into the stratosphere
Iwaya Giken noted that while passengers need not undergo special training to make the trip but ticket prices would not be cheap, initially starting at around 24 million yen ($178,100) per person.
Company President Keisuke Iwaya said they will be able to reduce the price to the 1 million yen to 2 million yen range in the future.
Iwaya Giken may begin offering the service by the end of the year.
The service lets passengers ride on the balloon that would ascend for two hours, and stay in the stratosphere for an hour, letting them enjoy the view.
The cabin of the 41-meter-high balloon, which seats two people, is spherical and has a 1.5-meter diameter.
The balloon measures 41 meters high and has a spherical two-seater cabin, which is 1.5 meters in diameter.
The cabin was designed to be impervious to variations in air pressure and temperature. In the event of an emergency, it may be converted into a parachute and outfitted with life support systems.
Iwaya claimed that it created everything in-house to ensure safety, including its communication devices.
By the end of this year, the company hopes to hire five passengers and a pilot for the initial batch of flights, which it hopes to begin from Hokkaido.
It has conducted more than 300 flight tests, with the highest point reaching about 40 kilometers into the sky.
The firm is partnering with a major travel agency, JTB Corp., to organize the tours.
After analyzing the results of the experiments and test flights, JTB Corp. will determine whether it is ready to start selling package deals.
