May 4th - May 10th              

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Orbex breaks ground on Sutherland Spaceport as UK prepares to enter domestic launch market

United Kingdom (UK) based spaceflight company Orbex has begun construction at the Sutherland Spaceport in Scotland. Set to host launches of Orbex’s Prime rocket, Sutherland is the UK mainland’s first vertical launch site. With another vertical-launch site at SaxaVord Spaceport in the Shetlands, and Spaceport Cornwall’s horizontal-launch options, the UK is finally ramping up its domestic spaceflight ambitions after decades in the wilderness. Formerly known as Space Hub Sutherland, the Scottish site will boast the first vertical-launch spaceport to be built on the UK mainland.

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China's first commercial space launch site under construction to realize 'rockets launch on site'

China's first commercial space launch site is under construction in Wenchang City, south China's Hainan Province. The main tower of launch Complex 1 is 11 stories and 83 meters high, and will top out in about half a month. 

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Texas House passes legislation for new  Space Commission

The Texas House of Representatives recently approved legislation to create a new Texas Space Commission and an Aerospace Research and Space Consortium.

The bill is a part of a $350 million program to encourage aerospace programs in the state of Texas, while increasing how many the state can fund. Naturally, the city of Midland is looking to take advantage of the new legislation, as they plan on  reestablishing their Midland Spaceport Development Board, that was disbanded due to the lack of state funding.

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Vicillion: Pioneering the World’s First Equatorial Commercial Spaceport to Revolutionize the Space Industry

Space is no longer the final frontier but a destination of commercial opportunity for the research and development firm Vicillion. The space industry is set to reach an estimated $1 trillion in annual revenue by 2040, according to an extensive 2022 study published by Citigroup. But even in recent decades, access to the market has belonged almost exclusively to government-owned spaceports.

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NEW Weekly Jargonbusters: A Quick Guide for Spaceport Related Lingo!

Term: Payload (noun):

A package or thing placed in a rocket, which normally does not contribute directly to the success of the flight. For example, an altimeter used to record a rocket's maximum altitude is an example of a payload.

Term: Oxidizer (noun):

A substance which provides oxygen to a combustion process, aiding in the speed and efficiency of combustion. The addition of combustion causes fuel to burn so enthusiastically that it can be used as a rocket propellant.

Spaceport Locations Map

We will be updating the map below weekly to keep track of the news regarding upcoming or previously established spaceport sites. If you notice any spaceports that are missing, send an email and let us know! Click here for more details.

The Spaceport Company offers full service regulatory support for the commercial space transportation industry. Is red tape slowing down your launch cadence? We can help! Contact us now.