Saudi Arabia to host groundbreaking space tourism balloon test flight

Saudi Arabia is set to host a pivotal test flight for a prototype space balloon designed for stratospheric tourist excursions this September.

The test represents a major milestone in commercial space tourism, with Halo Space, a Spanish startup, leading the initiative, Caliber.Az reports referring to foreign media.

The balloon, developed by Halo Space, aims to offer zero-emission flights reaching altitudes of up to 35 kilometres. The company plans to commence commercial operations by 2026, with tickets priced around 150,000 euros ($163,791).

Before launching commercial services, Halo Space must ensure the balloon's safety. The test flight, supported by Saudi Arabia’s Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST), will assess critical systems aboard the prototype capsule, Aurora, which will ascend to 30 kilometres above Earth.

Alberto Castrillo, Halo Space’s Chief Technology Officer, emphasized the importance of this test for validating the technology developed over the past three years.

Saudi Arabia’s involvement is crucial, aligning with its vision to become a leader in near-space exploration. Frank Salzgeber, acting deputy governor for the space sector at CST, highlighted the project's significance in advancing space tourism and fostering investment in the Kingdom.

Saudi Arabia has recently made strides in space exploration, including the establishment of the Neo Space Group by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and the historic launch of its first astronauts, including Rayyanah Barnawi, the country’s first female astronaut.

Halo Space plans to begin crewed flights in 2025 and commercial trips in 2026, with a goal of serving 10,000 passengers by 2030.