News

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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News

Tech Startup Foodics Offers Smarter Restaurant Management

The Saudi company’s innovative solutions optimize restaurant operations, from ordering to payments, delivery, and more.

Published

2 hours ago

September 16, 2024

Nour Nasir

tech startup foodics offers smarter restaurant management

Foodics, a prominent player in the MENA restaurant management landscape, is transforming the food and beverage industry through its comprehensive, in-house developed Restaurant Management System (RMS).

Known for its strong presence within Saudi Arabia’s thriving startup ecosystem, Foodics already serves customers in over 35 countries. The company provides innovative hardware and software solutions designed to help restaurant owners optimize their operations.

Currently, Foodics offers more than 100 apps that seamlessly integrate into restaurant operations. These tools cover everything from front-of-house management and data collection to inventory tracking, menu creation, delivery coordination, and more.

foodics complete services showcase

To further simplify customer ordering and payments, Foodics offers various specialized solutions. These include Foodics Online, a commission-free online ordering platform; Foodics Pay, which streamlines payment processes; Foodics Kiosk, a self-ordering and checkout system; Foodics Marketplace, a platform that partners with over 100 third-party apps for easy integration; and Foodics Accounting, a smart financial management tool designed to simplify accounting tasks.

“We sensed a lack of digitalization across the Saudi food and beverage sector in 2014, especially in the ordering process, including restaurants that were facing operational challenges. This inspired us to develop a fully integrated ecosystem to support the industry as we wanted to bring new technologies that change and enhance how people interact and connect with their favorite food brands,” comments Ahmad Al-Zaini, CEO and co-founder of Foodics.

Also Read: Healthtrip Expands Into Middle East To Boost Health Tourism

Today, more than 30,000 food and beverage outlets use the company’s services. In the UAE alone, approximately 1,850 restaurants rely on Foodics, with over 60% of these establishments having been clients for more than two years.

By focusing on creating efficiency and convenience, Foodics has had a significant impact on the Middle Eastern F&B sector. Their solutions have redefined the dining experience, from the moment customers place an order until the food is delivered to their table or doorstep.