BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – The beleaguered balloon-based tourism startup Space Perspective is in the process of vacating Space Coast Regional Airport after some months spent fighting eviction.
In a letter to the airport and the judge before Wednesday’s eviction hearing, Space Perspective interim CEO Michael Savage wrote to say that the company’s financial situation had not improved. Space Perspective was now working in full cooperation with the Titusville-Cocoa Airport Authority to leave the premises as efficiently as possible, the letter states.
“(We) have already vacated some buildings ahead of schedule to facilitate their needs. Additionally, I remain in close communication to expedite the involvement of liquidators and leaseholders to ensure the remaining relocation process moves forward smoothly,” Savage said in the letter.
Though Savage at one point phrased the transition as a “relocation” in this statement, no more specifics were given of Space Perspective’s short-term future beyond his goal of having the majority of the equipment moved by mid-March.
Space Perspective at the onset hoped to launch balloon trips from Florida to the edge of space, with $125,000 tickets promising great views of Earth from a lounge-like capsule fit with large windows, Wi-Fi, a bar, a bathroom and more 100,000 feet above most of the atmosphere. In August 2023, the company said it had already sold more than 1,000 tickets.
News 6 reported in January that the airport was threatening to evict Space Perspective, arguing in a lawsuit that the tourism startup was $90,000 behind on its rent. Given only five days to respond, the company did so, acknowledging it was late on payments.
“Defendant admits that rental payments were not made in full by the due date but asserts that ongoing negotiations and financial constraints contributed to the delay,” court documents read.
The company claimed the amount of rent owed, according to the airport, was not accurate, and asserted the airport “did not engage in good-faith negotiations before proceeding with eviction.”
Space Perspective makes its balloons at the airport, but workers had been off the job for two months leading up to that report, according to former employees who contacted News 6. The company confirmed workers were furloughed.
This is a developing story and may be updated.
