As a child, you watched a helium balloon drift through the air and dreamed that you could travel far above the Earth's atmosphere if only you could hold on to it long enough. Perhaps you wanted to be an astronaut and see Earth from above. Maybe you wanted to hitch a ride on the balloon-powered house from Disney-Pixar's Up or journey Around the World in 80 Days like Phileas Fogg.
Whatever your childhood dream of flight was, don't give up on it yet. HALO Space is excited to offer the possibility of near-space travel aboard the Aurora spacecraft. That flight of your childhood dreams could soon become your reality in the next few years.
Dreaming of flight is a universal childhood experience that stretches across time and cultural traditions. Some of the earliest recorded human myths revolved around flight, like the ill-fated story of Icarus flying too close to the sun and falling back to Earth. Leonardo DaVinci—and many other artists of the Renaissance—sketched plans for machines that could fly high above the Earth, offering a bird's eye view of the world.
These dreams persisted well into the 20th century, inspiring the Wright Brothers to complete the first manned flight of an airplane in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, in 1903. Though their airplane flew only for 12 seconds, the Wright Brothers accomplished something humans had been dreaming of across the centuries: Flight. Just 58 years after that initial flight, Russian Lt. Yuri Gagarin became the first human to enter Earth's orbit.
The possibility of taking flight in some whimsical manner has thrilled millions of children since. In the 1956 film The Red Balloon (Le Ballon Rouge), young Pascal develops a friendship with a red helium balloon that follows him everywhere. At the end of the film, the red balloon is tragically popped—but hundreds of helium balloons from all over the city unite to lift Pascal high into the sky for an incredible flight.
It's that childhood spirit of exploration and whimsy that has fueled engineers, astronauts, and pilots since the space race began in the 1950s. While NASA, Roscosmos, and other international agencies are no longer locked in a battle to develop the latest technologies, private companies haven't given up on advancing space and near-space travel farther than thought possible just 60 years ago. Flight technologies have advanced rapidly since the 1960s; a new frontier of space tourism is about to take off.
Today, HALO Space offers a bucket list experience like no other. Passengers can fly aboard a spacecraft lifted by a helium balloon that ascends to near space, where they're able to view the curvature of Earth during a relaxing, serene experience. It's the ultimate adventure travel to-do for any child who dreamed of grasping the string of a balloon and flying up, up, and away. From aboard the HALO capsule, you'll experience the wonder of flight that humans have dreamed of since the earliest civilizations.
HALO Space is a pioneer in the near-space tourism industry. Unlike competitors in the orbital and suborbital industry, HALO focuses on creating a serene, transformative travel experience that people of diverse backgrounds and abilities can enjoy. HALO accomplishes this mission with the use of helium balloon technology—it's just like your childhood dreams, but with tested safety and technical precision. HALO's journeys take a serene, dreamlike path to near space before returning gently to Earth.
HALO Space prioritizes safety by applying rigorous standards from the aerospace industry and working closely with regulators to help shape emerging guidelines for near-space tourism. Our unique spacecraft uses certified materials from leading international safety agencies, allowing us to focus extensively on testing and refining our capsule. The interior design, created by renowned auto designer Frank Stephenson, blends luxury and safety expertise from brands like McLaren, Ferrari, BMW, and Maserati.
Near-space flight aboard a capsule propelled by a helium balloon is unique because it offers a serene experience that cannot be matched by suborbital flight. In suborbital trips, tourists are quickly taken high into space to view the Earth for only a few minutes. The descent is so fast that travelers experience a short period of zero gravity.
Once the HALO spacecraft reaches a height of at least 30 km (18.5 miles) above Earth, passengers can get up from their seats and walk around to enjoy 360-degree views of Earth's curvature and the stunning blue halo. This serene journey is a dream come true for any traveler who has imagined an extraordinary flight experience, much like David Blaine's captivating balloon stunt, where he ascended to incredible heights, defying gravity and embracing the thrill of flight.
An edge-of-space journey aboard the HALO spacecraft offers more than just the fulfilment of childhood dreams. Our passengers also benefit from something called the Overview Effect. During your HALO Space adventure, you'll see the Earth from above. Astronauts and space tourists have often described how seeing Earth from Space is a transformative experience that causes them to see the world in a new, interconnected light. Check out this video that explores the Overview Effect:
Space exploration for civilians was once seen as a distant dream, but it’s soon becoming a reality. With HALO’s innovative capsule design, you can experience the Overview Effect without spending millions or compromising safety. HALO adheres to the highest safety standards in the space tourism industry and is committed to making near-space travel accessible to as many people as possible.
Like many adventure travel enthusiasts, you might be concerned about how space tourism impacts our planet. That's one of our biggest concerns at HALO—and it's why we've worked hard to develop zero-emission technologies that allow you to experience near space in an environmentally responsible, sustainable fashion.
Traditional space tourism options, like those offered by SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic, can cost up to 300 times more than HALO Space, with prices ranging from $450,000 to $55 million USD. HALO Space is dedicated to making near-space exploration more accessible, with tickets currently starting at $165,000 USD.
HALO Space is here for the dreamers, the adventurers, and the tourists who want to expand their consciousness. When you step aboard the HALO spacecraft, you will feel that rush of joy you experienced in childhood when you watched a hot air balloon take off or jumped high on a trampoline, dreaming that you would launch right into space.
The HALO Space journey is about more than rushing onto the capsule and taking off to near space. Each expedition is a six-day experience that includes a variety of cultural and scientific activities for both our passengers and their loved ones. HALOstratospheric flights depart from several locations around the globe, including bases in the US, Spain, Saudi Arabia, and Australia. These locations have been chosen for weather predictability and for the quality of their tourist accommodations.
Before your HALO journey, you'll be given a full briefing on the details of the experience and all safety procedures so that you know exactly what to expect when you step aboard the spacecraft. You'll enjoy gourmet meals and cultural programming in the days leading up to your journey. Once you land back on Earth, you'll have time to discuss your experience and debrief with fellow travelers.
Are you ready to take off on the trip you dreamed of in childhood? Visit HALO Space to learn more about the experience and booking your trip. We look forward to taking you on an unforgettable, life-changing Edge of Space journey.
