Halo Space is to build the final assembly and testing facilities for its space capsule in Saudi Arabia.
Halo Space, which bills itself as a ‘near-space’ tourism company, employs around 60 people, including those at its partners and was founded in 2021. The company plans to offer six-hour flights 35km (20 miles) into the stratosphere using its capsules, which can carry up to eight passengers and a pilot, to provide views of the Earth. Tickets will start at around US$150,000.
The capsule has no propulsion system and uses a helium-filled lifting balloon to reach the stratosphere. Its top speed will be 12mph (20km/h).
The pilot’s role will be to note wind and weather conditions when ascending, which will affect the capsule’s trajectory when traveling downwards, and to start and control the descent.
Flights will consist of two to three hours of ascent, followed by one to two hours of cruise, after which the balloon will be ripped and decoupled, enabling a descent of around an hour using a parachute.
The 5m (16.5ft) wide and 3.5m (11.5ft) tall capsule will have four parachutes, be made of aluminum alloy and composite materials with a maximum take-off weight of 3,500kg and large 2.8 square meters (30 square feet) viewing windows.
The company plans to run flights from four bases in the USA, Spain, Saudi Arabia and Australia, enabling all-year round operations. Initial plans are to make around 400 trips a year.
The announcement about the factory and test facility site in Saudi Arabia was made ahead of a planned test flight for the capsule this month. The test flight, which will take place from a site in Saudi Arabia aims for Halo’s prototype capsule Aurora to reach an altitude of 30km to validate its critical systems.
Carlos Mira, CEO of Halo Space, said “The decision to localize industrial capabilities, like the space capsule final assembly, testing facilities and a space port is a reflection of the Kingdom’s favorable business environment and ideal conditions for near-space activities.
“We believe that Saudi Arabia is uniquely positioned to take a leadership role in the near-space sector, and we are excited to continue building this partnership as we move forward with our mission.”
Halo Space has also located its operational base in Saudi Arabia
Halo Space said it is focused on completing its test flight program and is on track to begin commercial operations in 2026, providing thousands of passengers with the opportunity to experience near-space travel by 2030.
