RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is set to host the next test flight of Halo Space, a leading company in near-space tourism, later this month.
On Tuesday, Halo Space announced the establishment of final assembly and testing facilities in the Kingdom. This development, revealed during a media event in Riyadh, represents a major advancement in Halo Space’s strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia and its ongoing efforts to lead in the burgeoning space tourism industry.
Carlos Mira, CEO of Halo Space, made the announcement, confirming that the test flight will take place at the end of September in Saudi Arabia.
“We in this industry work with launch windows. We open the launch window, on different days we are ready to fly depending on weather. It will be on Sept. 27, then we have the window open for 10-12 days. The reason is that we will fly on the day when we have the best weather conditions. If the best weather conditions are not on day one, we will wait until day two or three,” Mira told Arab News.
The upcoming test flight is scheduled to take place in the desert, approximately 350 km southeast of Riyadh, near Layla.
Mira underscored the significance of this new facility in Halo’s long-term strategy to position Saudi Arabia as a leading global hub for near-space activities.
The top executive said: “The decision to localize industrial capabilities, like the space capsule final assembly and testing facilities, a space port and an immersive experience dome recreating the Halo Stratospheric flights in Saudi Arabia, 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.”
Mira highlighted that Halo Space has previously completed five successful test flights: the first in Hyderabad, India, in December 2022, followed by four consecutive tests in the Mojave Desert, California, in September 2023.
The latest announcement precedes the company’s next test flight, scheduled for late September, which will involve rigorous testing of its full-size prototype capsule, Aurora, at an altitude of 30 km. This unmanned flight aims to validate the functionality of the capsule’s critical systems, which have been developed over the past three years, as part of Halo’s commitment to safety and innovation.
Looking ahead, Halo plans its first manned test flight for 2025, a crucial milestone in preparing for commercial operations. The company intends to commence commercial flights in 2026, offering passengers an extraordinary space tourism experience.
By 2030, Halo aims to operate from four strategic locations—Saudi Arabia, Spain, Australia, and the US—providing near-space experiences to over 10,000 passengers.
Thomas Kuruvilla, managing partner at Arthur D. Little, emphasized the significant potential of the near-space sector for Saudi Arabia, noting its alignment with the country’s Vision 2030 objectives.
Kuruvilla said: “Halo Space’s presence in Saudi Arabia presents significant opportunities for the local economy, particularly in the tourism and space sectors. This initiative aligns perfectly with Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the economy and position the Kingdom as a leader in the new space economy. We believe that Halo’s investment here will accelerate the development of a thriving ecosystem around near-space tourism, bringing high-value jobs and new business opportunities.”
Halo Space’s new facilities will enhance its flagship operational base in Saudi Arabia, supporting the Kingdom’s ambition to become a global leader in technological innovation and economic diversification.
Founded in 2021, Halo Space is revolutionizing space travel with its zero-emission flights that reach the edge of space. Their stratospheric balloon flights elevate passengers up to 35 km above Earth, providing a unique opportunity to view the planet’s curvature and the expanse of space.
Each journey, lasting up to six hours, offers a serene and spectacular experience, featuring unobstructed 360° views from the comfort of the spacecraft.
