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Saudi Arabia To Host Sixth Halo Space Test Flight In September

The space tourism startup aims to conduct crewed flights in 2025 and commence full commercial operations by as early as 2026.

Published

1 month ago

August 13, 2024

Nour Nasir

Halo Space

Space tourism company Halo Space has announced plans for another test flight in Saudi Arabia, scheduled for September 2024, in collaboration with the Kingdom’s Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST).

The event will be Halo Space’s 6th test flight and a key milestone in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy. The test will deploy Halo Space’s prototype Aurora capsule, which will travel around 30 km into Earth’s high atmosphere and the edge of space. According to Alberto Castrillo, Halo Space’s Chief Technology Officer, the flight will further test the engineering of the high-tech craft:

“The mission is designed to meticulously validate all the critical systems we’ve been developing for the past three years. The dates and location were set to ensure the reliable operation of our equipment and safe conditions for the teams on the ground operating the flight”.

Frank Salzgeber, Acting Deputy Governor for the Space Sector at CST, added, “This innovative project represents a significant step forward in Space Tourism. In support of such technological advancements and investment opportunities in Saudi Arabia, CST is always committed to providing regulatory frameworks that foster innovation among companies and projects like Halo Space while ensuring the safety of personnel and materials”.

Also Read: G42 Company Inception Launches 20+ Arabic AI Language Models

Halo Space’s prototype test flights are in preparation for the launch of fully crewed missions, which are expected to take place in 2025. Commercial flights could be available from 2026 and will offer the completely unique experience of rising gently above the Earth in a balloon-lifted capsule.

The journey, spanning up to 200 horizontal km and 35 vertical km, will last over six hours, allowing passengers to witness the curvature of the Earth and the vastness of space. Halo Space aims to make space tourism accessible to a wide audience by 2030 and plans to carry over 10,000 passengers by the decade’s end.

Related Topics:Halo Space Saudi Arabia Space

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Club L London Teams With Checkout.com For Global Expansion

The fashion retailer plans to enhance global payments and expand into new markets using Shopify’s e-commerce platform.

Published

2 hours ago

September 18, 2024

Nour Nasir

club l london teams with checkout.com to boost global expansion

Global payment provider Checkout.com, has announced a collaboration with Club L London, a rapidly expanding online fashion retailer, to improve its global payment capabilities.

Club L London, which operates through six dedicated international websites, has recently launched a new platform for the Middle East, and is relying on Checkout.com’s expertise to support its global growth. The partnership is particularly focused on the MENA region, where Checkout.com has offices in both Dubai and Riyadh, plus key licenses in the United Arab Emirates.

By choosing Checkout.com as its primary payment provider, Club L London benefits from a pre-built Shopify checkout solution and superior payment performance. Additionally, local acquiring services are available in the UAE, along with Shopify digital wallet integration, elevating the overall customer experience for shoppers.

Headquartered in Manchester, UK, Club L London offers affordable luxury womenswear with distinctive designs. The brand has a strong presence in the UK, US, France, Australia, and the UAE and specializes in prom dresses, maternity wear, bridal attire, and accessories. Club L has built a global community of diverse consumers, influencers, and content creators, consistently releasing new collections to meet the demands of its expanding audience.

Also Read: Top E-Commerce Websites In The Middle East In 2024

‍Remo Giovanni Abbondandolo, General Manager, MENA, Checkout.com, said: “We’re passionate about helping businesses thrive in the digital economy. Club L is a prime example of a tech-enabled brand that we can help to grow via high acceptance rates, smooth integration with its e-commerce platform, and leverage our leadership and knowledge position in the MENA region”‍.

‍Seb Green, Chief Technical Officer at Club L London, added: “We are always looking for ways to enhance the customer experience on our site by offering the best payment methods. Checkout.com’s integration is a perfect fit for us, presenting an exciting opportunity for us to expand into new markets with a leading payments provider”.