HALO Space

HALO Space, founded in 2021 and headquartered in Madrid, Spain, is a near-space tourism company developing stratospheric balloon flights that carry passengers to altitudes of 25–40 kilometers — above 99% of Earth's atmosphere but below the Kármán line (100 km) where suborbital rocket tourism operates. The company's approach offers a distinct alternative to Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin's rocket-powered experiences: no rocket engines, no high g-forces, no brief weightlessness, but extended panoramic views of Earth's curvature against the blackness of space in a leisurely, zero-emission flight.

HALO's vehicle consists of a pressurized capsule — comfortably appointed with large windows, lounge seating, and onboard amenities — suspended beneath a large aerospace-grade balloon inflated with hydrogen or helium. The balloon ascends slowly (approximately 15 km/h) to cruising altitude, where passengers spend 3–4 hours in the stratosphere before the capsule descends under a parachute system. The entire experience lasts approximately 4–6 hours from takeoff to landing, contrasting sharply with suborbital rocket flights that provide just a few minutes of the spaceflight perspective.

The zero-emission profile is a central differentiator in HALO's positioning. Unlike rocket tourism that burns propellants and generates combustion exhaust, stratospheric balloon flights use no engines and produce no direct emissions, aligning with growing European and global sustainability requirements for luxury travel. The company targets high-net-worth individuals and corporate clients for whom the stratospheric experience, extended duration, and environmental credentials matter alongside the novelty.

HALO has raised venture funding and is developing its pressurized capsule in partnership with European aerospace suppliers, targeting inaugural commercial flights from Spain in the mid-2020s. The company competes in the stratospheric tourism niche with Space Perspective (Florida) and World View (Arizona), all racing to certify pressurized balloon capsules for passenger operations. HALO's European base and sustainability emphasis differentiate it within this niche market.