Is it possible that Peru has a spaceport? Piura desert could be an option

Peru could be a key factor in the space race that has been restarted among the world powers, and, being more specific, the Piura desert. And it is that an article by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) has highlighted the “strategic position” of our country.

The publication was edited by Peruvian aerospace engineers Avid Roman and Víctor Romero, who have highlighted the advantages of the Peruvian desert and its economic implications.

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“The earth is rotating at a certain speed, but at the equator it goes faster, so when you launch a rocket from there, or near it, you inject more speed”explained Avid Roman to the Gestión newspaper.

Obviously, our country is close to the equator to the north, and there is already a precedent in the South American region: the European Space Agency (ESA) has its cosmodrome in Kourou, in French Guiana.

In addition, Peru has some experience in the aerospace issue, the specialists point out. In the south of Lima there is a scientific base of the Peruvian Space Agency (CONIDA), in “Punta Lobos”, from where small experimental rockets have been launched at low altitude.

The signing of an agreement between the FAP, CONIDA and the United States Space Command opens the door to projects such as the construction of a space port and launch sites for space vehicles in the country. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/rs0eHwacCL

– Peruvian Air Force (@fapperu) August 16, 2023

On the other hand, the Peruvian Air Force (FAP) has indicated that there is an agreement between this institution, CONIDA and the United States Space Command on projects such as the construction of a space port and launch sites for space vehicles in the country. .

new space race

In the middle of the last century there was a space race to reach the Moon, between the United States and the Soviet Union. Then other countries joined to conquer space: Japan, France, India and China. Today this race has restarted with new players: private companies.

Russia, through its space agency Roscosmos, has launched a mission to the south pole of Luna. According to the AFP agency, the 800-kilo module must “take samples and analyze the soil, as well as carry out long-term scientific research.” China and India also compete in this regard.

In addition to the competition between countries, private space tourism or communications companies such as SpaceX, which has been launching satellites to provide satellite Internet, among other missions, are also added.

In this context, does Peru become attractive? “The Paita desert in Piura has been proposed as the site of the first large-scale spaceport, since it has fossil fuel resources, wind energy, and is also located next to the second most important port in the country”Víctor Romero told Gestión.

The port has an estimated surface area of ​​1,000 km2, it would be the largest in the region, it would attract up to 20,600 jobs, and the scientific and technological development of Peruvians.

Source: Elcomercio

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