Aspiring space tourists, set your sights on the Middle East. Halo Space, a company specializing in near-space tourism, has announced Saudi Arabia as the launch location for its upcoming test flight. This significant milestone marks a critical step not only for the company but for the burgeoning near-space travel industry as a whole.
Scheduled for June 2024, the flight will be Halo Space's sixth and will see the launch of their second full-scale prototype capsule. Unlike orbital space tourism ventures that propel passengers hundreds of kilometers above Earth, Halo Space offers a stratospheric experience, reaching an altitude of 32 kilometers (20 miles). This allows passengers to witness the curvature of the planet and the stark contrast between the blackness of space and the blue marble suspended within it, a phenomenon known as the Overview Effect.
The upcoming Saudi Arabian launch holds particular importance for Halo Space. It signifies the first instance where all the company's technologies, designed to create a safe and zero-emission flight, will be tested simultaneously. This comprehensive system integration test is a crucial step towards achieving Halo Space's ultimate goal: initiating commercial operations in 2026.
While traditional space tourism often comes with a hefty price tag, Halo Space aims to democratize the experience. Their commercial flights are expected to cost around $164,000, a significantly lower barrier to entry compared to the exorbitant costs of orbital space travel. This strategic pricing positions Halo Space to capitalize on the burgeoning near-space tourism market, a sector projected to reach a value of $14 billion by 2030 according to UBS, a Swiss bank.
The selection of Saudi Arabia as the launchpad for this critical test flight is mutually beneficial. For Halo Space, the kingdom presents a strategic opportunity. Saudi Arabia has been actively investing in its space program in recent years, aiming to become a major player in the global space industry. This burgeoning space ecosystem creates fertile ground for collaboration and future expansion for companies like Halo Space.
The partnership benefits Saudi Arabia as well. By embracing near-space tourism, the kingdom positions itself at the forefront of a rapidly developing industry. This not only fosters technological innovation but also has the potential to create new economic opportunities and solidify the nation's status as a progressive and forward-thinking leader in the region.
With its upcoming launch in Saudi Arabia, Halo Space is poised to take a significant leap forward in its mission to make space tourism more accessible and affordable. The success of this test flight will be a major milestone not just for the company but for the entire near-space tourism industry, paving the way for a future where space travel is no longer the exclusive domain of billionaires and astronauts.