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Space tourism has a new competitor, with company Halo Space unveiling its Aurora space capsule ahead of its first public flights in 2026
Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 11 Apr 2024
The Aurora shuttle takes inspiration from Space Age architecture and design and will offer unparalleled views of the earth Credit: HALO Space
Halo Space - a company specialising in commercial flights into the earth’s stratosphere - has unveiled ‘The Aurora’, its new space capsule.
Founded in 2021, Halo works with a select group of top-tier aerospace companies in the development of a programme which will see the company offer zero-emission commercial flights, allowing passengers to observe the curvature of the Earth and the vastness of space. This is made possible thanks to a stratospheric balloon, which will carry a pressurised capsule with 360 viewing to a height of up to 40km (131,000ft).
With interiors imagined by Frank Stephenson Design, passengers will spend up to six hours inside the vessel, which measures 5m (16.5ft) wide and 3.5m (11.6ft) tall.
Capable of housing up to eight passengers and a pilot, the design of the Aurora takes inspiration from Space Age architecture and design, with a heavy use of curved lines, curved edges, and reflective materials.
According to its designers, “like the arms of the Milky Way”, eight seats branch out from the centre of the capsule with unparalleled views of Earth coming through one of the largest windows the space tourism sector has to offer.
“We want every minute to be unforgettable,” said Carlos Mira, CEO of Halo Space. “Frank and his team have created a capsule to enhance our flight experience, utilising 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.”
The capsule design has safety at its heart, with strict protocols observed over materials used, weight distribution, industry regulations and more.
“Working on a project of this magnitude brings about many challenges from a design perspective,” said Frank Stephenson, creative director and founder of Frank Stephenson Design.
“Crafting a beautiful interior for passengers while considering factors like strict safety regulations presented challenging hurdles whilst being totally committed to offering both a luxurious, aesthetic appeal with functionality. I am immensely proud of what we have achieved.”
On its journey, passengers will be brought to the edge of space, with the ascent taking around 1-2 hours. The capsule will then spend 1-2 hours at maximum altitude before returning to the earth.
Halo says it will offer commercial flights starting in 2026, with the cheapest ticket starting at US$164,000 (€152,000, £130,000). The company says its goal is to welcome 10,000 passengers by 2030. Halo is also developing a programme to remove financial barriers for the many who could not afford the ticket price but are passionate about space exploration.
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