The space tourism race is getting crowded. Looking to carve out its own niche, World View is ditching the typical high-priced rockets. Instead, the U.S. startup is developing a balloon-powered lounge that will travel to the edge of space—making trips more financially accessible, while still serving up spectacular views. To develop balloons that could stand up to the rigors of space travel—without breaking the bank—the company partnered with U.K. design firm priestmangoode. The result is a futuristic-looking hexagon-shaped vessel optimized for pressurization and temperature, which means there’s no need for any fancy spacesuits. The capsule will let travelers take in panoramas of some of Earth’s most iconic landmarks—from the U.S. Grand Canyon to Kenya’s Serengeti—while soaring 100,000 feet (30,000 meters) in the air. A massive parasail is designed to soften the return, eliminating the unpleasantness of G-force or turbulence and making the trip suitable for people of varying fitness ...