Space tourism is here to stay and there are more and more companies “offering” this possibility: the Spanish company “Halo Space”, by Carlos Mera, has announced its sixth test flight for June in Saudi Arabia, which marks an important milestone for the sector – it will become the first company in the world That tests all important systems.
The Spanish newspaper El Economista said that the flight, which is more than 30 kilometers high and includes a full-sized capsule, will be carried out after a rigorous testing program. This sixth test flight represents a milestone for the Spanish company, as it will complete the longest development phase of the spacecraft and operating systems, which was carried out in a record time of only three years.
According to promoters, it is now very close to the goal: to start operating commercial flights in 2026 and carry out up to 400 flights per year from 2029 onwards, carrying more than 3 thousand passengers annually to the stratosphere in its stratospheric balloons.
Halo has negotiated with aviation agencies in Saudi Arabia, Spain, Australia and the United States – where it will have its bases of operations – to carry out the flights. In Saudi Arabia, after cooperation with SSA (Saudi Space Agency) and CST (Communications, Space and Technology Commission), he obtained permission to carry out the flight in June.
Mira pointed out, “The great reception given by the Saudi authorities due to the solidity of our project and the trust given to us as a European company cooperating with aviation safety agencies in the United States and Australia.”
The company is implementing the project with several companies in the aerospace sector such as CT Engineering, Aciturri, GMV and B2Space to design, manufacture, integrate, test and certify a new class of spacecraft. According to Carlos Mera, “The Halo spacecraft is the most advanced in terms of the number of test flights and engineering development in the near-space category (altitude between 20 and 100 kilometers).”
Since its inception in 2021, Halo Space has invested 10 million euros in its space tourism programme: six million through private capital and another four million financed with debt. According to the planned path, the project expects financing ranging between 80 and 90 million euros. In addition to CE Engineering, Aciturri or GMV, Halo hired London design studio Frank Stephenson Design (FSD) to design the interior and exterior of the cabin.
The first flights are getting closer and closer.
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