Space Perspective, the once-promising space tourism startup, is facing its most significant setback yet after a Brevard County judge authorized the company’s eviction from Space Coast Regional Airport.

The ruling, issued Thursday, comes as the company struggles with mounting unpaid rent, allegations of financial mismanagement, and a near-total workforce “furlough”.

Court Approves Eviction as Operations Cease
Space Perspective was evicted after failing to pay more than $90,000 in rent on its three leased properties at the Titusville airport, including a high-profile, 700-foot-long balloon manufacturing facility.

Despite interim CEO Michael Savage’s request for mediation and claims of ongoing investor discussions, the court ruled in favor of the Titusville-Cocoa Airport Authority. Court documents show Savage originally filed a pro-se appeal to the eviction. The Judge denied that motion since Florida law requires that Corporations must be represented by a lawyer, not an individual.

Savage, who was installed by lead investor Prime Movers Lab, acknowledged in court filings that the company’s financial position had not improved. He stated that efforts were now focused on liquidating assets and removing equipment from the premises.

Airport attorney Adam Bird confirmed that much of Space Perspective’s remaining equipment is “largely collateralized,” meaning it may be seized to cover outstanding debts. As a result, the company has begun working with liquidators and leaseholders to clear out its facility.

Two Additional Eviction Lawsuits Filed
Beyond the Titusville eviction, Space Perspective is facing two additional lawsuits over unpaid rent:

• North Dow, LLLP filed a lawsuit last week seeking over $104,000 in unpaid rent and fees for Space Perspective’s 30,150-square-foot leased space at the Trio Industrial Plaza in Melbourne.
• Space Florida is suing over $4,285 in unpaid rent at Kennedy Space Center’s Reusable Launch Vehicle Hangar, where the company stored operational equipment.

Allegations of Financial Mismanagement and Leadership Failures
Former employees have repeatedly voiced concerns about the company’s financial decisions and leadership. According to insiders who spoke with Talk of Titusville, Space Perspective’s budget was split nearly 50/50 between marketing and manufacturing—an allocation described as “catastrophic.” Lavish expenditures, including international investor trips and extravagant marketing campaigns, drained resources while critical manufacturing deadlines went unmet.

In a Glassdoor review, an ex-employee stated that “no space capsules are being refurbished or built, no balloons are in production, and maintenance has stopped on existing structures.” The same review and emails from other former staff accused founders Jane Poynter and Taber MacCallum of prioritizing public relations over operations and disregarding expert advice, leading to costly delays.

A former employee involved in financial planning told Talk of Titusville that the company’s business model was “fundamentally flawed.” At the $125,000 ticket price for spaceflights, the company was unlikely to be profitable due to excessive operational costs.

Meanwhile, employees have also criticized interim CEO Michael Savage, questioning his lack of experience in aerospace, tourism, and manufacturing. One former worker claimed that Savage misled the media regarding the company’s financial health, creating a false sense of stability even as internal layoffs escalated.

Employee Layoffs and Uncertainty for Ticket Holders
The company has furloughed almost all of its workforce, including key engineering and manufacturing personnel. Multiple employees told Talk of Titusville that Savage laid off employees during a Teams meeting call while he was in Uganda, saying that he bought a family in a village a cow and that the employees should be grateful for what they have.

Former employees also said they were given little to no warning about the impending layoffs, with many who relocated to Titusville now left scrambling for new jobs, days before Thanksgiving in 2024.

Despite reporting over 1,800 ticket reservations for its luxury space balloon flights, Space Perspective has provided no updates to customers about whether those flights will ever happen. Without a facility or operational staff, the future of the program appears uncertain.

Failed Grant and Missed Promises
Space Perspective had initially committed to investing $38 million into facilities and equipment at Space Coast Regional Airport, promising to create 240 high-paying jobs.

The company was eligible for up to $453,480 in grant assistance from the North Brevard Economic Development Zone (NBEDZ), provided it met certain infrastructure benchmarks.

However, instead of building a permanent manufacturing facility as required, the company erected a temporary fabric hangar, failing to qualify for any grant money.

Next Steps for Space Perspective
With three eviction lawsuits now in play and no sign of financial recovery, Space Perspective’s future looks bleak. Savage has stated that his goal is to have all equipment removed from the Titusville site by mid-March, but beyond that, the company has not announced any concrete plans.

Meanwhile, employees continue calling for accountability. Many former workers have expressed frustration over how the company handled its collapse, while some ticket holders remain in the dark about the status of their reservations.

For now, Space Perspective’s grand vision of luxury space tourism remains grounded.