Portugal advances space ambitions with Azores launch site and satellite targets
The Portuguese Space Agency has outlined a strategy to deploy 30 satellites by 2030, anchored by a new spaceport on Santa Maria and a growing domestic manufacturing sector.
Portugal is accelerating its transition into a spacefaring nation through the construction of a dedicated launch facility on the island of Santa Maria in the Azores archipelago. Operated by ASC, the site is designed to complement the European Space Agency’s primary Kourou spaceport in French Guiana by offering a cost-effective solution for launching smaller rockets and satellites. The Portuguese Space Agency, led by President Ricardo Conde, has set a target to have 30 satellites in orbit by 2030, leveraging a domestic industry comprising approximately 2,000 workers across 80 companies.
The strategic value of the Azores lies in its remote Atlantic location, which allows for safe ocean splashdowns without endangering populated areas. Bruno Carvalho of ASC clarified that the facility will not rival large-scale US sites like Cape Canaveral. Instead, it will serve as a smaller, more economical addition to the European infrastructure, requiring only 30 staff members once operational. This approach aligns with a broader trend of decentralising space activities among smaller European nations, a shift Andre Dias of the CEiiA consortium describes as the democratisation of space travel.
Key milestones are already scheduled for the coming years. Portuguese authorities have approved the first EU splashdown for the Phoenix 2.1 transport capsule later this year. Marta Oliveira of ATMOS Space Cargo, which developed the low-cost reusable capsule, confirmed that ASC will facilitate logistics for the Atlantic landings near Santa Maria. Further developments include the planned landing of the European Space Rider spaceplane in 2028, which will use parachutes to touch down beside a World War II-era runway, and a rocket launch in 2030 to deploy a South Korean satellite.
The domestic manufacturing sector is expanding to support these ambitions. Ricardo Conde identified three primary centres developing spacecraft: the CEiiA consortium in Porto, Open Cosmos at the University of Coimbra, and a Lisbon-based entity collaborating with the armed forces. CEiiA, which currently produces four civilian satellites annually weighing up to 500 kilograms, plans to establish a new research and development facility near Guimaraes. This expansion aims to quadruple or quintuple production capacity to meet growing demand for small satellites, which cost between €20 million and €30 million compared to larger units costing up to €500 million.
Financial indicators suggest the sector is gaining momentum. Conde reported that the Portuguese space industry generated a turnover of €200 million ($232.5 million) last year, with higher productivity expected in the current year. The agency intends to attract international partners and strengthen ties with Spain and other European initiatives, while also expanding into military applications. The project is also viewed as an economic opportunity for the Azores, with hopes that it will help retain local talent and revitalise the island’s economy.
