Take A Balloon Trip To Space

How much would you pay to float above the earth for a few hours? A company called World View Experience is hoping the answer is $75,000.

That is how much they are charging for a ride on a pressurized capsule that will float a little less than 19 miles above the surface of the earth. While you will not technically be in “space” proper, you will be just on the edge of it. You and eight other people will have two hours to spend enjoying the inky black sky on the cusp of space before being disconnected from the helium balloon that took you up there and free falling to the ground.

Entrepreneurs believe there is a space tourism industry to be tapped, but how far behind is the science and technology? Alan Boyle, science editor for NBCnews.com, explains.

Produced by Amina al-Sadi.