3 minute read
SPACE MARKETS
DI JOSE SALGADO* THE EUROPEAN ACCESS TO SPACE
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The global space launch services market in 2019 was valued at $9.5
billion and is projected to reach a market value of $47.6 billion by 2030, according to business intelligence company Visiongain. Last year Europe occupied 5th place in the global space launching ranking, with only 4 successful launches. The United States was the first one with 40 successful launches, followed by China (35), Russia (17) and New Zealand (7), according to the “Space Launch Report”. To increase European independent access to space, Esa has created Boost!, an institutional programme that aims to foster commercial initiatives that offer space transportation services to space, in space, and returning from space. Currently, the only Esa Member States participating in this programme are Germany, Italy,
Norway, Portugal, Romania,
Sweden and the United Kingdom. It is this last country that seems to be leading the race thanks to the two UK-based companies, Orbex and Skyrora. The first one is not only the most advanced of the private launchers in Europe and most likely the first one to reach orbit but is also described as the most
environmentally-friendly launch
system, as it uses bio-propane that cuts CO2 emissions by 90%, it is reusable and leaves no debris in the ocean or in orbit. Orbex, which has been manufacturing 3D printed rocket engines since 2018, is also the recipient of the largest Esa’s Boost! Award, with a euro 7.45 million in co-funding for their two-stage Prime
*JOSE SALGADO IS A SPACE INDUSTRY ADVISOR AND FOUNDER OF D-CONSTRUCT SPACE CONSULTING. rocket that will launch in 2022, delivering up to 200 kg into sunsynchronous orbit. Skyrora also received co-funding from Esa’s Boost! Programme, €3 million for the qualification of their main rocket engine. This company plans to launch in 2023 a three-stage reusable rocket called Skyrora XL with a payload capacity of 315 kg to a 500 km orbit. In addition to hosting these two companies, the UK might be the first country with an active spaceport, since Orbex plans to launch Prime from Space Hub Sutherland, located in the North of Scotland and Skyrora will launch from SaxaVord spaceport on Unst. Moreover, 7 sites in the UK are applying for launch licences, planning to cover most types of space launches. In fact, according to a report by Space Tech Partners, the UK’s main strengths in establishing itself as a hub for access to space in Europe are the minimization of red tape as the country is not subject to EU laws, and the recent signing of the Tsa (Technology Safeguards Agreement) that allows US participation in space launches from the UK. Although the UK is gaining access to space, Germany follows
closely thanks to Isar Aerospace, Rocket Factory Augsburg and
Hyimpulse. The first one is working on Spectrum, a rocket delivering 150 kg of payload. Rocket Factory on the other hand is building a rocket called Rfa One capable of reaching sun-synchronous orbit, both companies will launch in late 2022 from Andøya spaceport in Norway. While the third company Hyimpulse, expects to launch its mini launcher SL1 next year.
/ SPAZIO AL FUTURO
/ ACCADDE DOMANI
Il 18 ottobre 1961, la prima azienda italiana, e una delle prime al mondo, nel campo della comunicazioni e dei servizi satellitari iniziava un viaggio tuttora in corso. Per 60 anni, ogni giorno, Telespazio ha anticipato le domande di domani per costruire una risposta oggi. Per 60 anni, ha ridefinito nuove frontiere solo per superarle. Per 60 anni, la sua storia ha scritto la Storia. Questo libro non è solo il racconto di questo lungo viaggio. È uno sguardo alle strade ancora da percorrere. Alle prossime frontiere spaziali da superare. Perché costruire il nostro futuro nello spazio è dare Spazio al futuro.
