Tourists visiting Saudi Arabia will soon have the extraordinary opportunity to journey to the earth’s stratosphere, as announced by Halo Space, a Madrid-based space tourism company. Scheduled for launch in 2026, these trips will offer an awe-inspiring view of our planet from the second layer of its atmosphere.
Priced at $164,000 (Dh602,000) per person, the experience promises to be both exhilarating and luxurious. The aerospace balloon, equipped with a pressurized capsule, will accommodate eight passengers and a pilot, ensuring a comfortable and safe journey. Passengers will be treated to a breathtaking 360-degree panoramic view of Earth through the capsule’s expansive windows.
Halo Space has chosen Saudi Arabia as one of its departure points, with plans for a test flight in June. This will mark the company’s sixth test flight and its second prototype, reaching an altitude of 32km above the Earth’s surface. Conditional approval for the test flight has been granted by the Saudi regulator, the Communications, Space & Technology Commission.
The company aims to commence commercial flights in 2026, with a vision to operate 400 flights annually by 2029. The flight duration is estimated to be between four to six hours, with one to two hours spent at maximum altitude, providing passengers with an unparalleled view of the Earth’s curvature.
One of the key highlights of this experience is the gradual helium balloon-powered ascent, eliminating the need for special training due to the absence of heavy acceleration or G-forces. Halo Space assures that nearly anyone can embark on this remarkable journey, making it accessible to a wide range of tourists.