If you have ever been interested in seeing Earth from the upper reaches of our atmosphere but can’t afford it, then you should be keeping Halo Space on your radar. The company, similar to other new space tourism companies, have been working on a high altitude balloon system to ferry customers up to the jar dropping views of “almost space.”
The catch is, on each flight they will send someone up there for free!
Is Halo Space just one of the same?
With the rise in space’s new found popularity in every form of life, many companies are attempting to capitalize on new potential markets like space tourism. An excess of skilled engineers and innovative ideas means that there isn’t just one way to experience Earth from the upper atmosphere.
Halo Space out of Spain is developing a capsule that will seat eight passengers plus a pilot that will give awe-inspiring 360 views of Earth. Counter to the capsules of Blue origin or Virgin Galactic which are small and cramped, and with much smaller windows.
Using a helium filled balloon, possibly the size of a football field, Halo Space will slowly lift the capsule up into the highest reaches of the atmosphere. This will take several hours which the company says will give you plenty of time to look out at Earth and take in its beauty. Missions are expected to start in the early hours of the day to allow for viewing of sunrise while ascending, which I can’t imagine will ever disappoint.
How does this compare to its competitors? This idea really isn’t new at all. If you’ve been to the super market anywhere in the United States you’d probably seen space-themed Oreo packages sponsored by Space Perspective. The Florida-based company is doing something similar with balloon lifted capsules up to the 30-40 km that will take most of the day.
Something Halo Space has focused on leading up to their debut to their first crewed flight next year is safety. The capsule will feature redundancy across several systems required to keep passengers comfortable, able to return, and well… safe.
Unlike other companies, Halo Space will be using a stirrable parachute to finish its descent. The capsule will also have a backup traditional parachute. Several systems like life support will also be redundant.
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So how do you get to fly?
A big difference between Halo Space and almost every other space tourism company is that they seem to care to spread this experience to those that can’t afford tickets.
And how expensive is this experience you’re asking? Well their tickets start at $164,000. The company doesn’t state what is all included in that ticket price but the experience will last three days, which includes a chef prepped meal for you and any friends and family you bring to watch you.
Now I’m not sure how your family would feel about you taking a (cold?) balloon up higher than commercial airlines but I don’t think my mom would be eating anything put in front of her until I’m back on the ground.
Halo Space hopes that each flight, which will have at least eight passengers, a pilot, and in some publications the company also says a flight attendant, will also feature a individual which was given the flight for free. No details have been given as to what it would take to win one of these tickets but I have an interview with Halo’s CEO next week and I promise you all it will be on the list to ask him.
While Virgin Galactic has done giveaways, no other company seems dedicated to actually bring these sort of experiences outside of the ultra wealthy. Although I’m sure if I vow to never go to Disney or buy any bourbon every again, in 20-30 years I could probably scrap together enough cash to go. (If I can get past my fear of it all.)
