You’ll Soon Be Able to Hop on Balloon-Powered Space Flights From Saudi

Star Wars and Star Trek lovers, unite! 

Saudi Arabia, in partnership with Spanish company Halo Space, plans to launch 100 flights each year in balloon-powered space capsules by 2026. Priced at USD 167,000, these flights will take passengers to the Earth's stratosphere at an altitude of 35 kilometers and will last approximately four to six hours. 

Following a leisurely ascent of about 90 minutes, passengers will be able to enjoy a fine dining experience while taking in views of the Earth's curvature and gazing into the depths of space from the comfort of luxury seats.

Halo Space believes that its model of using stratospheric balloons—unlike the rocket-based experiences offered by rivals such as SpaceX and Blue Origin—could prove more affordable in the long term, making this unique experience accessible to a broader audience. 

The helium-powered capsules, which can accommodate up to eight passengers along with a pilot, have already completed five test flights in India and California with plans in place for a launch in Saudi Arabia between September 27th and 30th.