Specifically, the US-based company will be working with Ente Nazionale per l’Aviazione Civile (“ENAC”). They will be investigating the feasibility of using the Grottaglie Spaceport in Puglia.
Suborbital
“Development of world-class spaceports in premier locations is essential to our goal of expanding human-first space travel around the world, and we are honored to partner with the Italian government as we look to bring Virgin Galactic’s spaceline operations to Italy and the European continent,” said Michael Colglazier, Chief Executive Officer of Virgin Galactic.
“This study lays the groundwork to activate the economic and community benefits of commercial space across the region, and we are thrilled at the prospect of Virgin Galactic customers looking out our spaceship windows to witness the boot of Italy from space.”
Note that Virgin Galactic is already operating out of Spaceport America in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Grottaglie
The Italian authorities highlight the development possibilities for Grottaglie:
“We are excited to work with Virgin Galactic and demonstrate how Grottaglie Spaceport can provide infrastructure, high level skills and specialized services necessary for suborbital flights,” said Antonio Maria Vasile, President of Aeroporti diPuglia, which manages the site. “Grottaglie Spaceport has become a European hub for the development of new aerospace technologies and a catalyst for pioneering projects in the new space economy.”
Aeroporti di Puglia manages Grottaglie Airport. It was designated a commercial spaceport by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport six years ago, in 2018. It was the first such horizontal spaceport in Italy and also the first in the European Union.
Mediterranean
Italy aims for it to be a centre of excellence for commercial suborbital transportation. And also “a centre for space exploration in the Mediterranean basin”.
“Today, our partnership takes a significant step forward. Together, we will conduct a feasibility study to determine the conditions for suborbital operations from the Grottaglie Spaceport under ENAC’s regulations inspired by the U.S. model,” said Mr. Fabio Nicolai, Deputy Director General, ENAC. “This work will lay the foundation for safe and sustainable commercial operations in Italy.”
The Puglia region and Italian government recently allocated €70 million of funding for airport infrastructure. This was for the full operation of Grottaglie Spaceport.
Virgin Galactic is a spaceflight company, for private individuals and researchers. It is distinct from Virgin Orbit. This was attempting horizontal launches from Spaceport Cornwall. It went into Chapter 11 bankruptcy last year, however, and divested all its assets.
Image: Virgin Galactic – flight cabin
See also: Virgin Galactic postpones suborbital space flights
