PURE words of wisdom

PURE Times #03 - Interviews Jose Mariano Lopez-Urdiales, CEO, Zero 2 Infinity

1. Please describe the story behind Bloon and the inspiration behind your founding of such an innovative company?

It's a personal story, mostly inspired by my childhood spent around rockets, telescopes, balloons and other elevating equipment, my father being an Astrophysicist. Having first-hand contact with the marvels of Space made them all the more attractive, and certainly gave me a natural understanding of what was possible. I was fascinated with the history of Spaceflight and the actual reasons why it developed in the second half of the XXth century. I also felt an urge to communicate and share with the rest of the world the experiences that Space can offer.

As for Bloon, I was selected as part of an international, interdisciplinary, intercultural group that spent the Austral Winter of 2000 in Valparaiso (Chile) thinking about ways of making Spaceflight accessible to the general public. It was in that report that I first proposed the idea of providing the most elevating experience (in both the physical and the human sense) of Spaceflight using the oldest type of flying machine, the balloon. It was in Chile that work began on the concept that was to become Bloon (pronounced like balloon with a shorter “a”). After 9 years of hard labor, and no small dose of hope and luck, we are about to Bloon!

2. Am I correct in thinking the company is Zero 2 Infinity and Bloon is the company’s first project? Could you briefly explain these different names and their meanings?

Exactly. Zero 2 Infinity is the company and Bloon is its first project. We define Zero 2 Infinity as a Purveyor of Elevating Experiences in both the physical and the human sense. Zero conveys the idea of zero environmental impact and a clean approach. It is also round like the Earth, a cell, a star and so many things that we feel are important. Infinity is our aspiration; it means that we are never complacent, that there is always room for improvement and elevation. There is a lot of room at the top! Bloon is the reason we are coming to Pure. It is an Earth-friendly vehicle that will carry passengers to Near-Space. It has a Pod with very wide windows, and a Sail that carries it up to the regions of the heavens where the sky is always dark and stars blaze day and night. Our formal definition of Bloon is:

a sustainable, cost-effective, inspirational and elevating device that affords out-of–this- world experiences to its passengers, including unparalleled views of their planet while helping preserve it in the process; to be enjoyed by individuals, families, and other groups worldwide: Example: inside the bloon we were one with the Planet.

3. Why do you think Bloon fits into the high-end Experiential Travel market?

The existence of an Experiential Travel market is precisely the reason why Bloon is being developed. In contrast with all other Space projects so far, Bloon has no governmental (military or civil) launch customers. Our project lives and breathes to offer groups and individuals the chance to experience something that very few people in the world have experienced, and to do so in a sustainable Earth-friendly manner. Seeing our planet reflected in blue on your partner’s eyes while the sun spells all the colors of the universe upon a starry sky and the curved horizon, is most definitely a high-end experience, while it reminds us of our shared destiny on Planet Earth.

4. Do you have any competitors in the industry?

It depends on how you define the industry. If you consider the Environmentally Sustainable Private Spaceflight Industry, we are probably the first and only. All others market offerings that propose a somewhat similar view of Earth, are direct spin-offs of 20th-century military programmes which, shall we say, had other priorities.

5. PURE Life Experiences is set to shape the future of the high-end experiential travel industry. Do you believe that Bloon and its Spaceflight experiences will also shape the future of travel and broaden our horizons so as to push our travel comfort zones?!

Great question. I certainly believe that our flight experiences will change our horizons of what to expect from the experience of flying. To us, flying, regardless of altitude, is more than just a way to get from point A to point B. It is an experience; it is a journey. Even though certain technical aspects of a Bloon flight may place its passenger on the edge of most people’s conventional comfort zone, it is in support of the overall experience. It is difficult to foresee the extent to which people will be prepared to compromise certain aspects of conventional air travel in order to shorten their travel time from point A to point B. I tend to think it will work the other way around. That most people prefer more spacious accommodations at the expense of travel time and they won’t mind staying longer in the vehicle if it operates on schedule and if they can spend their time on board productively and meaningfully. It has already been the case with high-speed trains beating airliners all over Europe.

6. What is the science behind the project?

Science is really all over it. The Bloon rises because its Sail floats thanks to the Archimedes principle. During the Bloon's ascent, the sky changes colour from light blue to black due to Rayleigh Scattering. Jet streams and other phenomena are key factors in the planning of a Bloon flight. Meteors, auroras, noctilucent clouds, and many other phenomena, will be visible with the naked eye. The Bloon will also contribute to our scientific understanding, since every flight will be carrying a dedicated scientific payload that will measure in situ, for instance, the concentration of Ozone and ozone depleting substances.

7. What is the Pod made from?

The primary structure is made primarily of composite material and advanced light alloys. It is similar to 21st -century aircraft.

8. What are the sizes of the pod and the sail?

The pod's external diameter (with launch fittings) is 4 and a half meters, or about the length of a Lamborghini Murcielago. The Sail, when fully expanded at cruising altitude, measures over 100 meters in diameter, enough to fit a Saturn V Moon Rocket from any angle.

9. You mentioned that the Sail carries the Pod to great altitudes using a lighter-than-air gas and therefore requires no rocket. This, in turn, makes the Bloon much safer than other forms of Spaceflight. Can you expand on this and the safety of the system?

The Bloon rises because the sail is filled with Helium, the same gas that makes children balloons float. It is harmless to people and to the environment. Lighter-than-air vehicles have flown unmanned to over 50km of altitude. Rockets, of course, can fly higher, but they pose hazards both to their passengers and to the environment. A rocket engine is, in essence, a controlled explosion, with a very long list of failure modes. If you remove the rocket from the safety equation you increase safety in an order of magnitude. The Bloon’s Pod is pressurized and provides a shirtsleeve environment for travelers to enjoy. When the Bloon flies it will be at least as safe as a hot air balloon.

10. How long is a typical journey or exploration with Bloon and how high does it travel?

It is a journey of about four hours from lift off to touch down. After a
1-hour ascent she will cruise for about two hours at an altitude of 36 km, from where it will start her gentle one-hour descent. That altitude has been selected because it offers the most rewarding view. Briefings before and after the flight will also be provided for travelers. During the entire time aloft, our expert pilots will be there to maximize your enjoyment of the flight.

11. Before one embarks on a Bloon trip, what training is required?

Due to the straightforward nature of balloon flight, travelers can complete all of their training in less than one day. The lack of significant G forces greatly reduces the required training time. A two-hour session will be held on the eve of flight to familiarize passengers with the security systems of the Bloon. We value our customers’ time and do not believe that arbitrarily increasing training time provides a better overall experience.

12. How many people can be accommodated in the Bloon capsule at one time for a single voyage?

4 travelers and 2 pilots.

13. Do you have scientists who will accompany ‘Space Travelers’ in the capsule to guide them through their experience?

The pilots will be very knowledgeable about the scientific aspects of the flight. Their comments and explanations will be tailored to the knowledge and specific interests of each passenger group, making their experience complete. If you so desire, we can, upon request, equip a flight with a relevant scientist or professional astronaut.

14. Is there the opportunity for passengers to learn more about Space and the Earth on their journey?

Certainly this is a prime opportunity. We will provide interactive learning activities covering all the sights to which travelers will be exposed during the flight. In some flights, scientists who prepare the scientific payloads that the Bloon carries, will also be available to give first-hand explanations of how their experiments work, to give passengers a better understanding of our planet and how their flight is helping to preserve it.

15. What would you say is the highlight of the Bloon journey?

It is a uniquely personal experience, and for each individual traveler different aspects of the flight will stand out. Also, the beauty of our ever-changing planet guarantees that no two Bloon journeys will be the same. But if I had to pick one thing, it would be the opportunity to contemplate in silent awe and complete tranquility the serene beauty of our sphere in the Cosmos.

16. How does Bloon differ from other forms of Space travel for tourists?

Bloon is the first system engineered from day one for private travel. Other options are Orbital and Suborbital forms of travel. Although they do reach a higher altitude than our Bloon, 10 times and 3 times respectively, we believe we fly high enough to provide the main benefits that the 21st-century Space traveler is looking for, without harming the environment. The time in which the view of Space can be enjoyed is also quite different: 7 minutes for suborbital, a few days for orbital, 2 hours for Bloon. Another difference has to do with the fact that other forms of travel are basically offshoots of missile technology and government programs. Thus they involve high acceleration, explosive chemicals, and complicated training and environmental issues.

17. Where does the Bloon launch from, and do there need to be particular conditions for launching?

It takes off from a special facility that can be itinerant and leaves no environmental footprint. The geographic launch sites are selected to provide ideal weather conditions and a rich field of view. We will be disclosing the exact location when agreements with the local authorities are reached.

18. What has been the primary desire of those who have expressed interest in becoming one of Bloon’s passengers?

They are quite excited about all the features of the flight but I think what is most special for them is that, by being first to travel by Bloon, they are helping create something completely new and they feel good about being part of the process.

19. There has been a significant increase in the concern for sustainable travel options. What are your views on sustainable travel and how does Bloon go about incorporating environmental values into their business?

We do not have to incorporate environmental values into our business because it is our core value from the start. There are no harmful emissions whatsoever, since all systems from the Bloon are recyclable, our offices use low energy consumption computers, paper comes from waste and is acid free, etc. For us, it’s the natural way to go. We aim to elevate our planetary consciousness, which means that our travelers will not only enjoy an amazing view of our planet and its surroundings, but they will know that their experience helped protect it. Many of them will return to the surface of the Earth with a reinforced will to do good to the world, and in this sense there is no telling how strong an impact that positive experience will ultimately have.

20. How does Bloon go about combining such a unique experience with an awareness of ethical Spaceflight?

Just as environmental values are core to us, ethical Spaceflight is too. I used to work in the world’s largest Aerospace Company. As an employee, I had to do so-called “ethics training” almost every month. This was set up by lawyers in order to placate judges in view of the company’s inevitable next huge ethical scandal. The Aerospace industry needs a fresh face, it has been too linked to hard-to-justify Government programs and large-company malaise. Human Spaceflight has its foundations on the missile programs of Nazi Germany. It was with slave labor that the prototypes of today’s rockets where built. The US and the Soviet Union only carried forward the German concepts, a work largely done by the same individuals that worked for Hitler. And since the 70s, human Spaceflight has profoundly stalled. Most Governments are clueless about what to do in Space beyond military domination and propaganda. Zero 2 Infinity’s vision for Space is to open it up to society in an ethical and Earth-friendly way.

21. What do you expect will be your top 3 visitor markets?

Awareness about Space is very much global. If you look at the origins of the private individuals that already have or will soon be flying to orbit, the diversity is revealing: USA, South Africa, Iran, Canada, Hungary, Russia. We expect to expand the appeal of Spaceflight from individuals to groups. We fully expect families and other parties to fly with us. Also the appeal of the Bloon for couples is significant.

22. In your opinion, will Space travel become more accessible in the near future? Should we begin thinking about ‘Travel in Space’ more seriously?

Bloon is a modest step in that direction. Space travel will be accessible only if there are compelling economic reasons for it to happen. Government programs have restricted, either by the will to control, or due to sheer incompetence, public access to Space. Private industry can change the paradigm but there has to be a fresh approach, ethical and sound, and not just an extension of Government programs. Governments have used Spaceflight basically for propaganda. For Travel in Space to be taken seriously as part of the economy, it has to be rid of that taint in its private incarnations as well.

23. Do you think it will be a long time before Space travel becomes more accessible to the majority?

I think so. To develop the means to massively move people in Space would probably take a very long time and a new set of technologies. This will only happen if we preserve our planet at least for the time required to develop the technology.

24. Does Bloon have any exciting news to report before PURE takes place this November?

That we are thrilled to be meeting forward-looking private travel designers from all over the world. We want to share our vision with you and also listen to your invaluable insights on the unique individuals that will make it to the Bloon.

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