https://spacewatch.global/tag/spaceports/ AN INDEPENDENT PERSPECTIVE ON SPACE Wed, 02 Sep 2026 08:59:02 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.4 https://spacewatch.global/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SpaceWatchGlobal-Sign-90x90.png https://spacewatch.global/tag/spaceports/ 32 32 https://spacewatch.global/2026/09/spacewatchgl-opinion-imagine-a-starbase-europa-would-that-even-make-sense/ Fri, 04 Sep 2026 08:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=77208
Written by Christophe Bosquillon
Could Europe ever build its own ‘Starbase’? Christophe Bosquillon examines the geography, infrastructure and regulatory constraints standing between Europe and reusable super-heavy launch.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2020/03/public-comment-sought-on-proposed-shetland-spaceport-site-in-scotland/ Fri, 20 Mar 2020 06:00:01 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=20689 Members of the public will be given the opportunity to comment on proposals for a spaceport to launch small vertical rockets from Unst in Scotland during a series of exhibitions in early May.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2020/02/scottish-spaceport-set-for-blast-off-after-2-million-boost/ Tue, 25 Feb 2020 06:00:10 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=19718 The Shetland Space Centre (SSC) is set to benefit from investment of more than £2 million (US$2.58 million) from private equity firm Leonne International, which will own a 20 percent stake in the venture. According to a report in Scotsman.com, the investment will be used to develop the Unst facility, including a vertical-launch site for small […]]]> https://spacewatch.global/2020/02/spacewatchgl-interviews-matthias-wachter-of-bdi/ Sat, 15 Feb 2020 09:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=19083&preview=true&preview_id=19083 Germany is taking huge steps to foster the national New Space industry. The Bundesverband der Deutschen Industrie (BDI – Federation of German Industries) and its Head of Security and Raw Materials, Matthias Wachter, are at the forefront of that process. SpaceWatch.Global’s Torsten Kriening talked with Matthias Wachter about Germany’s role in the global space sector, micro launcher, and spaceports.  ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2020/01/scotlands-skyrora-and-space-iceland-search-for-possible-launch-sites/ Wed, 22 Jan 2020 06:00:17 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=18736 Skyrora, the Edinburgh-based satellite launch company, is looking in Iceland for a possible space launch location, according to reports in the Icelandic news media. The Skyrora visit was hosted and assisted by Iceland's own space body, Space Iceland.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2019/08/lease-of-land-agreed-for-space-hub-sutherland-in-scotland/ Wed, 07 Aug 2019 05:00:27 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=15452 The owners of land earmarked for the Space Hub Sutherland development on the Moine Peninsula have agreed a lease option with developer, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).]]> https://spacewatch.global/2019/07/european-space-agency-to-support-portuguese-space-launch-programme/ Mon, 01 Jul 2019 05:00:46 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=14864 Portugal is developing the infrastructure for a national spaceport on one of the islands of the Azores archipelago, Santa Maria, a European launch and landing location for small satellites.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2019/06/israeli-satellite-technology-company-hisky-expands-presence-into-uk/ Fri, 28 Jun 2019 05:00:43 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=14835 An innovative company looking to make satellite communications more accessible and affordable is set to create over 100 high-tech jobs in London and Oxfordshire.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2019/06/esa-looks-to-boost-commercial-space-launch-services-at-space-19/ Mon, 17 Jun 2019 05:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=14627 Europe is part of a new era in space transportation with new commercial initiatives offering services to space, in space, and back from space springing up within the privately led and funded space sector. ESA welcomes this development towards further European industrial growth and competitiveness.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2019/05/uk-offers-funds-for-british-airports-to-become-spaceports/ Fri, 24 May 2019 05:00:59 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=14272 Future spaceports can apply for a share of two million pounds to support plans for small satellite launch from aircraft and sub-orbital flight from the UK, Science Minister Chris Skidmore announced Wednesday, 22 May 2019.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2019/05/portugal-establishes-national-space-agency-based-in-the-azores/ Fri, 03 May 2019 05:00:31 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=13830 Portugal has become the latest country to establish a national space agency. The new entity, called Portugal Space, will be headquartered in the Azores island of Santa Maria, the site of a proposed spaceport and a European Space Agency (ESA) Estrack tracking and telemetry station.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2019/03/uae-space-agency-signs-mou-with-virgin-galactic-for-al-ain-operations/ Tue, 26 Mar 2019 06:00:31 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=13210 Dr. Mohammed Al Ahbabi, Director General of the UAE Space Agency, and George Whitesides, CEO of Virgin Galactic and The Spaceship Company (TSC), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that outlines cooperation across a range of areas including plans to bring Virgin Galactic spaceflights to the UAE for education, science and technology research, as well as potential space tourism flights in the future. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2018/12/virgin-galactic-achieves-spaceflight-success-with-help-from-uae-investment/ Mon, 17 Dec 2018 06:00:11 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=11967 Virgin Galactic, the private spaceflight company founded by Virgin Group chairman Sir Richard Branson achieved success on 13 December 2018 after its SpaceShipTwo Unity (VSS Unity) reached suborbital space for the first time over the Mojave Desert in California, United States.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2018/12/spacewatchgl-interview-dr-mohammed-al-ahbabi-of-the-uae-space-agency/ Sun, 16 Dec 2018 09:00:43 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=11949 The UAE Space Agency has set out its stall right from the very beginning. It is highly ambitious, and since its establishment just four years ago, it has come an incredibly long way]]> https://spacewatch.global/2018/12/uks-vesta-maritime-safety-satellite-in-orbit-after-spacex-launch/ Thu, 06 Dec 2018 06:00:32 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=11762 British built VESTA telecommunications satellite will improve safety and security for commercial shipping.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2018/11/arctic-space-shetland-space-centre-and-faroe-telecom-join-forces-for-satellite-broadband/ Wed, 28 Nov 2018 06:00:19 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=11571 Shetland Space Centre (SSC) has joined forces with telecom experts in the neighbouring Faroe Islands, forming a unique international partnership to drive forward space industry developments in the two island groups and beyond.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2018/11/scottish-new-space-skyrora-moves-hq-to-heart-of-edinburgh/ Tue, 27 Nov 2018 06:00:50 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=11546 Skyrora, the Scottish New Space satellite launch company, has moved its corporate headquarters to Princes Street in the heart of Edinburgh, Scotland's capital city, under a five year lease.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2018/11/japans-ana-holdings-and-marubeni-partner-to-build-first-asian-spaceport/ Tue, 20 Nov 2018 06:00:26 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=11436 Japanese company ANA Holdings, best known for operating All Nippon Airlines, and trading house Marubeni Corporation have partnered to build a spaceport in Japan as early as 2021, according to a report in the Nikkei Asian Review. The spaceport will be used for private space travel, such as space tourism, and will include runways that […]]]> https://spacewatch.global/2018/11/portugal-to-establish-azores-spaceport-create-oceanography-starlab-with-china/ Thu, 08 Nov 2018 06:00:47 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=11184 Portugal is about to make a big splash in the space sector with parallel announcements covering a major cooperative programme with China, and a proposed space launch complex in the Azores islands in the mid-Atlantic ocean involving European, Russian, and U.S. company bids to build it.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2018/10/spacewatchgl-oped-brexits-shadow-an-update-on-uk-space-policy-developments/ Wed, 03 Oct 2018 08:00:43 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=10625 The passage of the UK Space Industry Act 2018 into law has not, as yet, seen any further developments, however crucial questions in relation to liability, insurance and charging still need to be addressed. There has been a call for evidence to inform on these crucial regulatory aspects and once these questions are addressed, then there will be something of a clearer picture as to the regulatory environment of UK Space Activity.]]>