Japan's Iwatani Giken's Completes Record Setting Manned Stratospheric Balloon Test Flight

Japanese space tourism company Iwatani Giken, has successfully conducted a manned balloon flight test, reaching a record-breaking altitude of 20,816m (68,293ft), marking a historic milestone in the Japanese space tourism industry.

The achievement marks the highest altitude ever attained by a manned balloon flight in Japan.

The flight test took place in the Tokachi region of Hokkaido, with the balloon taking off from Shihoro Town at 2:40 a.m. and landing in Obihiro at 7:36 a.m. The journey covered a distance of 41 kilometers, with the flight lasting nearly five hours. The test utilized a two-seater pressurized cabin, similar to the one planned for future commercial operations.

The July 17 flight marks a significant step forward Iwatani Giken, one of many companies in a race to offer and operate the world’s first commercial balloon-based “Space Sightseeing Flight.”

Expert Reactions

“I am pleased that by steadily conducting test flights step by step, we are getting closer to realizing commercial operations. We look forward to beginning a journey that will allow us to experience the beauty of the Earth and the grandeur of the universe.” - Naoko Yamazaki, Astronaut and Representative Director of Space Port Japan

“To take on an unknown challenge that entails many risks, it is not enough to simply follow existing rules. The person who implements it must carry out a risk assessment, take measures to ensure ‘safety,’ and explain this to those around them so that they can feel ‘at ease.’ I was impressed by how President Iwatani faced and dealt with each risk one by one and provided clear explanations to the public. We are confident that you will continue to operate your commercial flights with safety and security in mind.” - Professor Enryo Akiyama of Wakayama University

Development History

Iwatani Giken’s journey began in July 2020 with the launch of its manned space tour project.

• Jul 2020 | Manned space tour project begins

• Jun 2021 | T-3 Airtight Cabin - Airtight cabin launched into the stratosphere and retrieved in unmanned launch test

• Feb 2022 | T-5 Cabin - Reaching an altitude of 30m during manned tethered flight test

Since its initial tethered flight tests in Fukushima in February 2022, Iwatani Giken has progressively advanced its technology, conducting flight tests almost monthly, primarily in Hokkaido.

• Jul 2022 | T-5 Cabin - Manned tethered flight test reaches altitude of 50m

• Oct 2022 | T-5 Cabin - Reaching an altitude of 50m during manned free flight test

• Nov 2022 | T-5 Cabin - Reached altitude of 102m during manned free flight test

• Feb 2023 | T-5 Cabin - Reached altitude of 408m during manned free flight test

• Mar 2023 | T-5 Cabin - Reached altitude of 1,190m during manned free flight test

• Apr 2023 | T-5 Cabin - Reached altitude of 2,843m during manned free flight test

• Jul 2023 | T-9 Airtight Cabin - Reached altitude of 6,072m during manned free flight test

• Oct 2023 | T-9 Airtight Cabin - Manned free flight test reaches altitude of 10,669m

• Nov 2023 | T-10-III Cabin - Reaching an altitude of 30m in manned tethered flight test

• Apr 2024 | T-10-Ⅶ Airtight Cabin - Reaching an altitude of 3,690m in manned free flight test

• Jun 2024 | T-10-Ⅶ Airtight Cabin - Reach an altitude of 10,555m during manned free flight test

• Jul 2024 | T-10-Ⅹ Airtight Cabin - Reached an altitude of 20,816m for the first time in Japan during manned free flight test (◀This time)

Future Challenges

Looking ahead, Iwatani Giken faces several challenges:

Navigation Support: Developing systems to manage weather conditions and radio wave interference.

Condensation Control: Improving visibility by eliminating condensation inside the cabin.

Landing Technology: Enhancing landing control technology to accommodate varying weather conditions.

Iwatani Giken aims to revolutionize space tourism with its “Space Sightseeing Flight” service, offering a unique opportunity to experience the stratosphere and beyond without the need for special training or equipment.

The company plans to address issues identified during the flight tests and continue development to prepare for customer flights.