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2026/02/04

STARTUP LEAGUE

The Boy Who Idolized "Doc" Defies Convention: Space Sightseeing via Balloon—An Inventor's Vision of Accessible Sky Infrastructure

When people hear the words "space travel," most imagine a rocket launching vertically with a deafening roar. It has long been a privileged experience reserved for a select few billionaires or astronauts who have endured rigorous training. That was the conventional wisdom—until now.

2023/11/27

SONY「DESIGN VISION」

Pioneering space exploration with gas balloons

DESIGN VISION is Sony’s design research project that aims to gain insight into upcoming world developments and consider directions for the future. In this project, designers from the Creative Center conduct their own research and interviews, using their findings to derive analyses and recommendations. In 2023, the designers conducted field research in locations throughout the world to gain an understanding of global changes as early as possible. Research in Japan took us to Hokkaido, where we met Keisuke Iwaya, who is president, Iwaya Inc.