Ever heard about near-space tourism?
Its a new concept for me to. But essentially, near-space tourism offers space enthusiasts like myself a chance to experience space travel without going into orbit. Near-space tourism often refers to traveling in the upper layers of the earths atmosphere – which is defined as 20km (12 miles) and 100km (62 miles) above sea level. This region is above commercial airliner routes and below the boundary of space known as the Kármán line. Near space tourism offers a unique opportunity for tourists to experience the curvature of the Earth, the darkness of space, and the thin blue line of the atmosphere.
There are many near-space tourism companies on the market now, but rarely do you find the companies ambitious enough to offer zero emission commercial flights.
HALO Space
HALO Space is a global space tourism company that will offer zero-emission commercial flights between 25 and 40 kilometers high. This will allow passengers to observe the curvature of the planet Earth and the vastness of Space on a flight that lasts up to 6 hours. Possible thanks to its innovative design which consists of a stratospheric balloon holding the pressurized capsule that seats eight passengers and a pilot – large panel windows offer a captivating 360º view.
Founded in 2021, HALO Space was initially incubated by the prestigious consulting firm Arthur D. Little in its Breakthrough Incubator program. After securing €5 million in seed funding, HALO operates independently and is led by industry veterans Carlos Mira as CEO, and Alberto Castrillo, chief technology officer (CTO). HALO Space works with a select group of top-tier aerospace companies such as CT Engineering Group, Aciturri, GMV and TIFR in the development of its spaceflight program. For more information, please visit www.halospaceflight.com.
HALO plans to begin offering commercial flights in 2026, starting at $164,000 — a fraction of the price of orbital and suborbital flight offering. The aim is to transport 10,000 passengers by 2030. To make space tourism more accessible, HALO Space is also currently developing a program that would remove financial barriers for those passionate about space exploration who cannot afford the ticket price.
The Aurora Capsule
In April 2024, HALO revealed the design for their first capsule, Aurora. Designed by Frank Stephensen, a leading design studio based in London, HALO Space CEO Carlos Mira said, “Passengers will spend up to six hours inside our spaceship, and we want every minute to be unforgettable. Frank and his team have created a capsule to enhance our flight experience, utilizing unique resources, design and technology”
“They went well beyond beautiful aesthetics and smart ergonomics and partnered closely with our technology partners to craft the safest and most functional vessel possible.”
HALO Space and Frank Stephenson Design prioritized incorporating already-certified components into their capsule design in lieu of in-house development. This was to ensure a higher degree of safety while significantly reducing development time.“For example, by using an existing seat model, already certified for aeronautical use by EASA, we comply with the strictest safety standards in the industry and avoid years of development and testing required to certify components, getting passengers to experience the beauty of the Halo Effect sooner” Said Mira.
The capsule will be 5 meters wide and 3.5 meters tall, made of aluminum alloy and composite materials for a total take off weight of 3,500 kilograms. The spaceship will house eight passengers and one pilot, with large viewing windows at 2.82 square meters.
Key components of space travel, from weight distribution to materials used to industry regulations, were all considered by the design team alongside HALO partners before any stylistic choices were considered for The Aurora.
The design of The Aurora takes heavy inspiration from Space Age architecture and design, with a heavy use of curved lines, curved edges, and reflective materials. Like the arms of the Milky Way, eight seats branch out from the center of the capsule to look out one of the largest windows in the space tourism industry.
The capsule will be brought to the edge of space via a helium balloon, creating an easy ascent with no increased G-forces. Gradual ascension yields longer flight times than other space tourism companies, averaging a 4-6 hour flight time with 1-2 hours at a maximum altitude of up to 35 km.
