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Near-space balloon flights to start from Abu Dhabi next year

By Pramod Kumar
Aircraft, Transportation, Vehicle Eos-X Space
Eos-X Space's pressurised capsule can accommodate up to eight people, including a pilot, and is lifted by an eco-friendly helium balloon

European space exploration company Eos-X Space will begin operating balloon flights to the edge of space from Abu Dhabi in the third quarter of 2025, as it aims to gain a bigger stake in the $9 billion space tourism industry.

The UAE capital will host the launch facility and spaceport, including a hotel complex on Yas Island.

No details were shared on the spaceport and hotel.

Person, Electronics, Mobile Phone

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A similar launch facility in Seville, Spain, will also become operational next year. The third facility is planned for Tulum, Mexico, which is expected to be operational by 2026.

The planned investment in engineering and development for the Abu Dhabi and Seville complexes will exceed $230 million. The company is currently running a $125 million series D investment round led by US investment bank FTI Capital Advisor.

The company estimates combined revenues from Spain and Abu Dhabi to reach $353 million next year, with a gross profit margin of 19 percent.

By 2029, the Spanish company aims to achieve a turnover of $1.13 billion and a gross profit of $324 million. Profits are expected to increase by 220 percent between 2025 and 2029, it said.

“The development of space tourism offers investment prospects as vast and promising as human curiosity, says founder and CEO Kemel Kharbachi.

“These ultra-rich individuals, along with affluent people capable of spending between €150,000 ($163,558) and €200,000 for an unparalleled experience, are our target market,” he added.

Eos-X Space’s pressurised capsule can accommodate up to eight people, including a pilot, and is lifted by an eco-friendly helium balloon.

These capsules reach the stratosphere’s edge at an altitude of 40,000 m, allowing passengers to view out into space, the blue halo, and Earth’s curvature during a five-hour trip.

The journey includes a personalised week-long programme featuring cultural, gastronomic, regenerative medicine, and wellness experiences.

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