Richard Branson–backed firm’s dream of flying people to the stratosphere in balloons is deflating as staffers are furloughed

richard branson (Credit: John Lamparski—Getty Images)

Space Perspectives, a Titusville, Fla.–based startup backed by Richard Branson, has furloughed nearly its entire workforce amid cash constraints. 

The company, which hopes to fly people to the stratosphere in a balloon-like spaceship, still has $90,000 in outstanding rent from late last year, according to a complaint by the city’s airport authority, Bloomberg reported.