The dream of offshore rocket launches is finally blasting off
1 min read
Summary
Space missions are becoming more and more popular; launches have more than doubled over the last four years from 100 to 250 annually, with the number set to increase further amid the growth spurt in the commercial space sector.
To deal with this congestion, some space programme planners are looking at using the ocean as the next big portal to space, which has a number of advantages such as flexibility of location and being potentially safer and more environmentally friendly.
It is also much easier to find a thousand acres at sea to build spaceports than it is on the coast, therefore building spaceports at sea will enable the possibility of having dozens, hundreds or even thousands of spaceports.
The advantages and disadvantages of ocean-based spaceports are discussed, as well as current planned projects.