Saudi Arabia is going to be the site for not a Neom development but an out-of-this-world “near-space” experience. Madrid-based company Halo Space announced it will blast off a sixth test flight in Saudi Arabia this June with conditional approval from the Communications, Space, and Technology Commission (CST). Lucky few Saudi tourists will be offered an exciting chance to go for a stratospheric trip 32 km above the surface of Earth for an affordable $164,000. It is less than half of what Space Perspective is offering aboard Neptune for a six-hour journey.
The price is $495,000 per ticket, but it comes with a Michelin-level menu. The regular ticket is actually less at $125,000 and has been bought by over 1600 people. Halo Space, gearing for its second full-size prototype capsule test that will validate the integrated operation of all critical systems, “bringing us one step closer to our goal.” Commercial flights are scheduled for 2026 and Saudi Arabia will serve as the base for space flights as the Kingdom is heavily investing to get ahead in the space race.
Halo Space CEO Carlos Mira said: “As the most advanced near-space company in the sector in terms of technical development, safety is our top priority, which is why we’ve consistently tested each system that makes up our flight program. “We are on a mission to make space travel more safe, accessible and affordable. This test will rigorously validate the integrated operation of all critical systems, bringing us one step closer to our goal.” The near-space company aims to give a whopping 10,000 Earthlings a chance to explore and witness the stunning Overview Effect, aka viewing the blue halo around the curvature of the Earth.
Mira said: “I’ve spoken with several astronauts about the feeling of profound transformation when you view the Overview Effect. Everyone should get the chance to see our home from such a view.” Saudi Arabia’s Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, an air force pilot, was the first Saudi in space who took part in a US-organized space voyage in 1985. In 2022, he spoke with Al Arabiya English on his life-changing voyage into space and shared his admiration for the new generation of Arab astronauts. “Saudi Arabia, of course, is going back to space. We have to go back to space, but we have to go back to space with the perspective of not just bringing things back, but pushing the envelope, pushing technology to help us here on Earth,” he stated.
With Halo Space, Saudis will get every opportunity to explore the Earth’s curvature sans training in a controlled 4-6 hour journey in ‘zero-emission’ commercial flights. In addition to MBS’s kingdom, Halo Space will set up bases in the US, Australia, and Spain for its future near-space stratospheric flights.
