Test flight for Tourist Space Balloon to be Hosted by Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is hosting the next test flight of a tourism space balloon.

The Saudi Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) partnered with the space tourism company, Halo Space, for the test flight. Their collaboration began at the beginning of 2024.

CST is responsible for enabling state-of-the-art communications infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. It ensures that communications services meet specific accessibility, performance, fairness, and value standards. It specifically governs the kingdom’s telecommunications, IT, and emerging technology services.

Halo Space, meanwhile, is a Spanish space tourism firm that started operations in 2021. It specializes in the development of a stratospheric balloon for tourists. By stratospheric, this refers to being in the layer of the earth around 10 to 50 kilometers above its surface.

About the test flight

For the next test flight of Halo Space, it will use a life-size prototype capsule called Aurora. The plan is for Aurora to go as high as 30 kilometers above the surface of the Earth.

By doing the test flight, Halo Space and CST can look at how its critical systems work. According to Halo Space, it took them three years to develop these systems.

Halo Space chief technology officer Alberto Castrillo spoke about the details of the test flight.

“The dates and location were set to ensure the reliable operation of our equipment and safe conditions for the teams that will be on the ground operating the flight,” he remarked.

On the other hand, CST acting deputy governor for the space sector, Frank Salzgeber, remarked about the test flight’s significance.

“This innovative project represents a significant step forward in space tourism, and in support of such technological advancements and investment opportunities in Saudi Arabia, CST is always committed to providing regulatory frameworks that foster innovation among companies and projects like Halo Space while ensuring the safety of personnel and materials,” he said.

Working for a common goal

Meanwhile, Halo Space CEO Carlos Mira, spoke about the collaboration with CST.

“Collaborating closely with both private and public institutions to adopt safety standards and certification procedures is key to our mission,” he noted. “Our collaboration with CST underscores our commitment to creating the safest near-space flight experience possible.”

Apart from the CST and Halo Space partnership, CST has also worked with the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA). Through this collaboration, CST, together with relevant government entities, were able to meet all regulatory requirements for the test flight.

In addition, Halo Space has set up its flagship operational base and assembly site in Saudi Arabia. With this, Saudi Arabia is in a better position to be at the helm of space tourism. This also underscores the kingdom’s broader goal of attracting 150 million visitors yearly by 2030. In 2023, Saudi’s tourism sector already broke tourism records, from its GDP contribution, and additional employment, to its overall growth.

Halo Space’s test flight for its tourism space balloon takes place in 2025. It hopes to start offering commercial flights beginning in 2026.

Photos: X/Arab News, X/inSaudi