HALO Space, a Spanish startup focused on taking tourists to the edge of space via a high-altitude balloon, is setting up its final assembly and testing facilities in Saudi Arabia.
This move is part of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to attract global startups and establish itself as a prominent aerospace hub. HALO Space’s CEO, Carlos Mira, praised the favorable business environment and the ideal climatic conditions in Saudi Arabia, including clear skies and uncrowded airspace, which are perfect for testing.
The company has created a capsule named “Aurora” to transport space tourists with minimal energy usage. This capsule has already been tested in India and California and will undergo full-scale unmanned tests in Saudi Arabia in late September 2024, aiming to reach altitudes of 30 kilometers.
Once approved for passenger use, HALO Space plans to offer a seven-day program that includes both the flight and various ground activities in the Saudi desert. To enhance the experience, the company intends to build a dome near its spaceport and testing facilities, providing an immersive preview of suborbital balloon flights.