Three companies are hoping to become top dog in the stratospheric-space race by distinguishing their capsules with luxurious features. The firms, one French and two American, employ similar designs for their massive space balloons and pressurized capsules, which will all soar to about 20 miles above the Earth for about six hours. But they are trying to out-luxe each other in what they believe will be a space-tourism niche with more than 1,000 combined flights per year. The first commercial space-balloon flights are scheduled to happen next year.

Space-balloon trips will last much longer than current flights to the Karman line, considered the edge of space from 50 to 62 miles above the Earth's surface, aboard Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin rockets. Those flights, which include a zero-gravity experience for about two minutes, last from nine to 11 minutes, with no perks other than a cool-looking space suit.

In lieu of the space suit, Zephalto said recently that it plans to offer onboard dining from a Michelin-starred chef. This haute cuisine experience would complement its $127,000 per-ticket trip aboard the capsule, Céleste, which will travel above the Earth on a six-hour trip. The trip will spend three hours at its highest point, according to the French company, offering exceptional views of the planet and the edge of space. Then it will descend back to Earth.

The three-cabin space capsule was designed by Joseph Dirand Architecture as the "smallest experience-led hotel" in the world. "Design is about shaping experiences and this experience will shape people's lives," said Dirand. "I hope that our guests will return to Earth with new perspectives towards our precious planet and how to protect it better."

Zephalto has yet to release the details of which chef will provide the Michelin cuisine. The company said that three test flights have already been carried out with pilots on board.