A spaceport in Peru? Everything that is known about this project and its possible effects in the country

The ancient Peruvians observed the stars, there is no doubt about that. Whether for a religious reason or for a practical purpose such as establishing calendars, defining time or planning cities, the astronomy I was present. Now it could receive a new boost with the future space port to be built in Piura.

The project has achieved its notoriety in recent months. It is called Spaceport and one of the places designated for its establishment is the El Pato air base, in Talara.

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The case is in the hands of the Private Investment Promotion Agency (Porinversión) to define the management that will be followed to make it a reality. Other entities that intervene are the Peruvian Air Force (FAP) and the Ministry of Defense.

It was this portfolio that shared on its social networks some details of the future spaceport, the first in our country and the region.

See this post on Instagram

A shared publication from the Ministry of Defense of Peru (@mindefperu)

First, it is noted that this project will facilitate the launches of rockets and spacecraft for orbital and suborbital flights. This is an aspect that is mentioned due to the location of the Spaceport. According to Proinversión, being close to the equator, the fuel saving is 30% and that saving is converted into 30% more cargo capacity on the ferries that would make these flights.

What makes up this space station? The Spaceport will have ground platforms, a control center, preparation, integration and validation hangars, as well as taxi and take-off runways, in a clear area far from the population.

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The project is part of the Multiannual Report on Investments in Public-Private Partnerships and Asset Projects (IMIAPP) and an investment of more than S/1,000 million is estimated.

spacial tourism

Another highlight is that it contributes to space tourism, a trend that has been growing in recent years with companies that offer trips that only some have managed to make.

The companies that are dedicated to this activity are Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin, SpaceX, Space Perspective or World View, and the cost of the trip is around half a million dollars (about two million soles) for just a few minutes in space. This is the case of Virgin Galactic, which for 3 minutes can charge up to 450 thousand euros for a seat, according to a report from Xataka.

For this, it has its spacecraft called VSS Unity, which can reach 80 kilometers in height, considered the beginning of space. Its first flight with tourists was made in the middle of last year with passengers Jon Goodwin, Keisha Schahaff and Anastatia Mayers. For this activity, companies have private astronauts.

A different case is World View Enterprises, which works on the balloon travel system. The difference with a rocket is that it does not actually reach space, travelers will be able to see the curvature of the Earth in the midst of space darkness, but the lack of gravity will not yet be felt.

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Another company that has announced its entry into space tourism is the Spanish Halo Space. During his presentation, CEO Carlos Mira indicated in El Español the three types of trips that can be made, even at the level of Earth orbit.

The orbital journey reaches more than 300 kilometers in altitude. In this case it is necessary to travel by rocket, there is no gravity and the duration of the trip ranges between 5 hours and 5 days. The other modality is suborbital or parabolic travel, in which you ascend to a height of between 80 and 120 kilometers in a rocket or plane. Finally there are Near Space flights, which only reach a height of between 25 and 40 kilometers.

Opportunity for science

Another notable aspect is that it will favor technological research and education. In the middle of last year, the “CubeSats in Peru” project was carried out for training, the assembly of nanosatellites, and the implementation of ground stations in participating educational institutions.

Now, the space station project has generated new joint work with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the United States Space Command Commission, which have been providing technical advice. This knowledge exchange can then be translated into technology development.

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But there is also a private job. Last year, a team of young Peruvian researchers won the NASA International Space Apps Challenge 2023 with a proposal that promotes space tourism and education about the universe.

The project is called Space Odyssey Planner, a tool worked on by the Astrogenesis group. “The astronomical culture here is a little low right now. It’s just taking off with this whole issue of the station that they plan to do,” said James Montes, one of the team members. In communication with this newspaper he highlighted on that occasion the importance of promoting astronomy in education.

And just as the ancient Peruvians observed the stars, the new space station would make us look back to the sky and much beyond.

Source: Elcomercio

Callum

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