Saudi Arabia to Host Landmark Test Flight for Space Tourism
Saudi Arabia is set to become a major player in space tourism. A Spanish startup, HALO Space, will conduct a crucial test flight of a space tourism capsule in the Kingdom. This collaboration with the Communications, Space, and Technology Commission (CST) marks a significant step for both parties.
Scheduled for September, this will be HALO Space’s sixth test flight and Saudi Arabia’s first. This aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 – a plan to diversify the economy and become a global tech hub.
The test will involve HALO Space’s full-sized prototype, Aurora. It will ascend to 30 kilometers above Earth. The primary goal is to validate critical systems developed over the past three years.
Saudi Arabia offers an ideal environment for space exploration. The Kingdom’s infrastructure and supportive regulations have facilitated this test. HALO Space plans manned flights in 2025 and commercial operations in 2026. Passengers will travel 35 kilometers up, experiencing Earth’s curvature and the cosmos during a six-hour journey.
The CST, with the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), has worked to meet regulatory requirements. This ensures safety for personnel and materials. The test highlights Saudi Arabia’s commitment to space innovation while maintaining high safety standards.
This mission aligns with the Kingdom’s broader space goals. The Public Investment Fund (PIF) launched the Neo Space Group this year, its first investment in the satellite and space industry. Saudi Arabia also sent its first astronauts to space in 2023, including the Kingdom’s first female astronaut.
A New Era for Saudi Arabia
Scheduled for September, this test flight will be HALO Space’s sixth and the first in Saudi Arabia. The flight aligns with Vision 2030, a plan to diversify the economy and position Saudi Arabia as a global technology hub. The test will feature HALO Space’s full-sized prototype capsule, named Aurora, which will ascend 30 kilometers above Earth. The mission aims to validate the operation of critical systems developed over three years.
Saudi Arabia’s Role in Space Exploration
HALO Space has been supported by the CST since early 2024. The Kingdom’s robust infrastructure and regulatory support have been crucial for this test. This event precedes the launch of manned flights in 2025, with commercial operations following in 2026. Future flights will offer passengers a unique experience, ascending 35 kilometers above Earth in a balloon-lifted spacecraft. The six-hour journey will allow travelers to witness Earth’s curvature and the vastness of space.
The CST has worked with other government bodies, such as the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), to meet all regulatory requirements. This collaboration ensures the safety of both personnel and materials in this groundbreaking mission. Saudi Arabia’s commitment to fostering innovation in the space sector is evident, while safety standards remain stringent.
The Kingdom’s Space Ambitions
HALO Space’s mission aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader space ambitions. Earlier this year, the Public Investment Fund (PIF) launched the Neo Space Group, marking its first investment in the satellite and space industry. Saudi Arabia also made history by sending its first two astronauts into space in 2023, including Rayyanah Barnawi, the Kingdom’s first female astronaut.
Frank Salzgeber, Acting Deputy Governor for the Space Sector at CST, emphasized the importance of this collaboration. “This project represents a significant step forward in space tourism and technological advancements in Saudi Arabia,” he stated. CST remains committed to providing regulatory frameworks that foster innovation and ensure safety.
HALO Space plans to make space tourism accessible to a broader audience by 2030. The company aims to serve 10,000 passengers by the end of the decade. This vision, supported by Saudi Arabia’s strategic initiatives, will enhance the Kingdom’s space and tourism ecosystem, offering unique hospitality, space education, and entertainment experiences.
As HALO Space prepares for this landmark test flight, Saudi Arabia continues to solidify its leadership in the new era of space exploration and tourism.
