Study: Many questions still unanswered about the planned German spaceport
A dedicated launch site for carrier rockets is considered crucial for independent access to space. Experts weigh up the pros and cons of the local project.
The floating launch platform for rockets, shown here as a rendering, is intended to be a spaceport.
(Image: GOSA)
After several postponements, the launch was finally due to start these days: A group of companies led by Bremen-based space technology group OHB wanted to launch the first small rockets from a floating platform in the North Sea in July. But this date has also come to nothing: The German Offshore Spaceport Alliance (GOSA), which wants to operate the floating spaceport, regrets that the necessary permits have still not all been granted. In line with this, the Office of Technology Assessment at the German Bundestag (TAB) has explored the "potentials and risks" of a German spaceport in a recent short study. According to the study, such a launch and landing site for satellite carrier rockets would enable a nation "to carry out experiments and missions in space without having to rely on foreign space infrastructure".
Tobias Hungerland and Marlène de Saussure explain in the paper that this is important, for example, in the areas of communication and geolocation technologies, internet supply, big data analysis and earth observation. Such infrastructure is relatively rare: there are only 35 spaceports worldwide. Two of these are located in EU member states, namely Sweden and French Guiana. The GOSA project would thus give Germany "pronounced technological sovereignty, competitiveness and geopolitical independence".
According to TAB, the creation of a mobile launch site on German territory also holds "socio-economic potential in terms of labor market development as well as securing and qualifying skilled workers". It could also offer promising opportunities for research and exploration, technological development, geopolitical strategy and international cooperation. With a budget resolution and a volume of 2 million euros until 2025, the German government and the Bundestag initially supported the project, for which the Federation of German Industries (BDI) provided the initial impetus in 2019 in the Berlin Space Declaration.
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Possibly a niche offering from a global perspective
At the same time, however, the environmental impact of the construction and operation of the launch pad and corresponding measures such as nature conservation and emissions control must be taken into account, the researchers point out. "For example, potential damage to ecosystems, air and water pollution and energy consumption during the operation of the platform must be considered," the analysis states. Measures to minimize and compensate for possible negative effects could help to enable sustainable operation.
According to the study, there is also "a currently unresolved legal situation due to the lack of a dedicated space law". This represents a barrier for industry to offer or request launch services in Germany. Such a law had already been agreed in the coalition agreement of the previous black-red government, but had not been implemented. Liability issues need to be clarified and legal certainty created as to the extent to which companies bear risks and where the state steps in.
The traffic light coalition was skeptical. Meanwhile, the EU Commission has announced a European space law for this summer, which is likely to focus on cybersecurity. It should also be borne in mind that the local initiative could turned out to be a niche offering, the scientists write. Such an initiative would only be competitive internationally to a limited extent and would probably have to be subsidized.
(vbr)
