What Spaceports Does Europe Have?

Europe’s Gateway to Orbit

The ability to independently launch satellites, probes, and eventually humans into space is a defining characteristic of a modern technological power. For decades, Europe has relied heavily on a single, primary spaceport located not on the continent itself, but in the jungles of South America. The Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana has been the cornerstone of European space access, launching flagship missions for the European Space Agency (ESA) and commercial clients. While its success is undeniable, a strategic shift is underway. By 2025, the European space landscape is undergoing a dramatic expansion, driven by a confluence of geopolitical necessity, commercial opportunity, and technological innovation.

The new space race is not just about reaching the Moon or Mars; it’s about deploying constellations of small satellites for Earth observation, telecommunications, and navigation. This growing market has created demand for smaller, more flexible, and geographically diverse launch locations. In response, a network of new spaceports is emerging across the European continent itself, from the northernmost reaches of Scandinavia to the islands of the Atlantic. These facilities represent a foundational change in Europe’s space strategy, promising increased launch frequency, greater autonomy, and the growth of a vibrant commercial space ecosystem. This article explores the established and emerging spaceports that define Europe’s evolving presence in space as of 2025, detailing their locations, capabilities, and roles in securing the continent’s future in orbit.

The Cornerstone: Guiana Space Centre

For over half a century, Europe’s ambitions in space have blasted off from a strip of land on the northeast coast of South America. The Guiana Space Centre, often called Europe’s Spaceport, is located near Kourou, French Guiana, an overseas department of France. Its selection was a masterstroke of geographical and political foresight. Its position just five degrees north of the equator is its single greatest asset. The closer a launch site is to the equator, the more of a “slingshot” effect it gets from the Earth’s rotation. This boost means rockets need less fuel to reach orbit, allowing them to carry heavier payloads. This is especially advantageous for launching large telecommunications satellites into geostationary transfer orbit (GTO), a specialty of the Ariane family of rockets.

The spaceport is operated by CNES, the French space agency, on behalf of the European Space Agency and Arianespace, the commercial launch provider. The facility is immense, sprawling over 700 square kilometers and equipped with multiple launch complexes to handle a variety of rockets. It’s more than just a launchpad; it’s a self-contained city dedicated to spaceflight, with payload processing facilities, rocket assembly buildings, and a sophisticated tracking and control center.

Launch Complexes and Vehicle Families

The Guiana Space Centre is not a single entity but a collection of specialized launch zones, each tailored for a specific rocket family. This modular design has allowed it to adapt and grow over the decades.

The ELA (Ensemble de Lancement Ariane) complexes have been the heart of the spaceport. ELA-3 was the workhorse for the venerable Ariane 5, a heavy-lift rocket that built a reputation for reliability over more than 100 launches. It was from this pad that iconic scientific missions like the Rosetta comet chaser, the BepiColombomission to Mercury, and the James Webb Space Telescope began their journeys. The retirement of Ariane 5 marked the end of an era, paving the way for its successor.

ELA-4 is the new state-of-the-art complex built specifically for the Ariane 6. This next-generation rocket is designed to be more versatile and cost-effective than its predecessor. It comes in two versions: the A62 with two strap-on boosters and the A64 with four. This flexibility allows it to serve different market segments, from launching constellations of satellites to deploying single, heavy payloads. The design of the ELA-4 complex emphasizes efficiency, with a mobile gantry and a horizontal assembly process intended to reduce the time and cost between launches. The successful introduction of Ariane 6 is fundamental to maintaining Europe’s position in the heavy-lift launch market.

The ELV (Ensemble de Lancement Vega) complex, formerly the old ELA-1 pad, is home to the Vega family of launchers. Vega is Europe’s small-lift rocket, designed to place payloads of around 1,500 kilograms into polar and low-Earth orbits. It has been instrumental in deploying numerous small science and Earth observation satellites. The program has evolved with the introduction of Vega-C, a more powerful and versatile version that shares its P120C solid rocket motor with the boosters of Ariane 6. This synergy helps streamline production and reduce costs for both programs.

For a period, the spaceport also hosted the ELS (Ensemble de Lancement Soyouz), which brought the legendary Russian Soyuz rocket to a tropical launch site. This collaboration provided Arianespace with a medium-lift capability, bridging the gap between Vega and Ariane 5. Launches from French Guiana allowed Soyuz to carry heavier payloads than it could from its traditional Russian launch sites. This partnership ended abruptly in 2022 following geopolitical events, which underscored the strategic need for Europe to have a complete range of domestically produced launch vehicles.

Strategic Importance and Future

The Guiana Space Centre remains the indispensable pillar of Europe’s space activities. It is the only European-operated site capable of launching the heavy Ariane 6 rocket and handling the most demanding scientific missions. Its equatorial location provides a performance advantage that no site on the European mainland can match for GTO missions. Its vast, unpopulated downrange area over the Atlantic Ocean is an important safety feature.

The future of the spaceport is tied to the success of Ariane 6 and Vega-C. It is also adapting to the changing space economy. Plans are in place to support future reusable launch vehicles and to accommodate the needs of the growing small satellite market, potentially through rideshare missions on larger rockets or by hosting new European microlaunchers. The Guiana Space Centre is not just a legacy facility; it’s an evolving hub that will continue to anchor Europe’s access to space for the foreseeable future.

The Scandinavian Frontier: Sweden and Norway

The northernmost region of Europe, with its vast, sparsely populated landscapes and access to clear polar and sun-synchronous orbits, has become a hotbed for the development of new continental launch sites. Sweden and Norway, with their long histories in suborbital research, are now at the forefront of establishing Europe’s first orbital launchpads on the mainland.

Esrange Space Center, Sweden

Located deep inside the Arctic Circle near the city of Kiruna, the Esrange Space Center has been a hub for scientific research for over 50 years. Operated by the state-owned Swedish Space Corporation (SSC), its activities have traditionally focused on launching high-altitude scientific balloons and suborbital sounding rockets, which conduct brief experiments in the upper atmosphere before falling back to Earth. This long heritage has provided Esrange with a deep well of operational experience, infrastructure, and technical expertise.

Leveraging this foundation, SSC has undertaken a significant expansion to transform Esrange into a fully-fledged orbital spaceport. This development, inaugurated in early 2023, makes it the first orbital launch complex on the European mainland. The strategic goal is to capture a share of the booming market for launching small satellites, a capability that until now has been absent from continental Europe.

The geographical location of Esrange is ideal for sending satellites into polar orbits. Rockets launched from Kiruna can fly north over the Arctic Ocean without passing over any populated areas, a key safety consideration for any launch site. Polar orbits are highly desirable for Earth observation satellites, as they allow a satellite to pass over the entire surface of the planet as it rotates.

The new launch complex at Esrange is designed to accommodate multiple microlaunchers, the new class of small rockets being developed by commercial companies across Europe. These vehicles are tailored to provide dedicated, responsive launch services for small satellite operators who might otherwise have to wait for a rideshare spot on a much larger rocket.

One of the primary launch providers slated to operate from Esrange is Isar Aerospace, a German company developing the Spectrum rocket. Spectrum is a two-stage liquid-propellant rocket designed to carry payloads of up to 1,000 kilograms to low Earth orbit. The partnership between Esrange and Isar Aerospace is a prime example of the pan-European collaboration that defines this new era of spaceflight. A Swedish spaceport will launch a German rocket, serving a global market of satellite customers.

Beyond its role as a launch site, Esrange continues to be a world-leading center for science. It hosts a global network of satellite ground stations and is involved in testing new technologies. For example, it is working on projects related to rocket reusability, with plans to develop recovery and testing capabilities for reusable first stages. This forward-looking approach positions Esrange not just as a launchpad, but as a comprehensive space hub driving innovation. The facility’s ability to offer services across the entire value chain, from launch to satellite operations and testing, makes it a unique asset for the European space ecosystem.

Andøya Spaceport, Norway

Just across the border from Kiruna, on the Norwegian island of Andøya, lies another historic site being upgraded for the orbital age. Andøya Space, established in the 1960s, has launched over a thousand suborbital rockets, making it one of the most active suborbital sites in the world. Like its Swedish counterpart, Andøya is now leveraging its decades of experience to enter the orbital launch market.

The new Andøya Spaceport, located at a site named Nordmela, is being developed to provide a competitive launch service for small satellites. Its location, even farther north than Esrange, offers an excellent trajectory for polar and sun-synchronous orbits, with a clear flight path over the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic. This provides a direct competitor to Esrange, fostering a healthy rivalry that can help drive down costs and improve services for satellite operators.

The development of Andøya is also driven by strong commercial partnerships. The spaceport has signed a long-term agreement with Isar Aerospace, making it a second European launch site for the German company’s Spectrum rocket. This gives Isar Aerospace flexibility and redundancy, allowing them to choose the best launch site for a given mission’s requirements. It also demonstrates a business model where spaceports act as launch infrastructure providers, serving multiple different launch vehicle companies.

Andøya’s strategy is focused on providing a complete and efficient service package. The complex is designed for high-cadence operations, with facilities for payload integration, rocket assembly, and mission control all located on-site. The goal is to streamline the process from the moment a customer’s satellite arrives to the moment it is safely delivered to orbit.

The competition between Andøya and Esrange highlights the intensity of the new European space market. Both sites offer similar geographical advantages and are targeting the same class of microlaunchers. Their success will depend on their ability to attract launch providers and satellite customers by offering reliable infrastructure, competitive pricing, and efficient operations. This Scandinavian nexus of launch activity represents a significant new chapter for European space, bringing orbital launch capabilities to the continent for the first time and creating a new economic engine for the high north.

The British Isles: A Multi-faceted Approach

The United Kingdom has embarked on an ambitious national space strategy, a key component of which is the development of a sovereign launch capability. Rather than focusing on a single national spaceport, the UK Space Agency has supported the development of several commercial sites, each with a different operational model. This has created a diverse and dynamic launch environment, with facilities designed for both traditional vertical rocket launches and innovative air-launch systems. By 2025, the UK is home to some of the most advanced and promising new spaceports in Europe.

SaxaVord Spaceport, Shetland Islands

Located on the remote island of Unst in Scotland’s Shetland Islands, SaxaVord Spaceport has emerged as a leader in the race to become Europe’s premier vertical launch site. Its extreme northern latitude makes it perfectly suited for launching satellites into polar and sun-synchronous orbits, a market segment with high commercial demand. The site’s geography offers clear, unobstructed launch corridors over the North Atlantic, minimizing risk to populated areas.

SaxaVord has distinguished itself through rapid development and regulatory success. In December 2023, it became the first fully licensed vertical spaceport in the UK and Western Europe, a milestone that allows it to host a variety of launch providers. The spaceport consists of multiple launchpads designed to accommodate different small-lift launch vehicles, reflecting its business model as a versatile “space-as-a-service” provider.

A key partner for SaxaVord is Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA), a German company developing the RFA ONE launch vehicle. RFA has signed a multi-year exclusivity deal to launch from SaxaVord, making the Scottish site its operational base. The RFA ONE is a three-stage rocket designed to deliver up to 1,300 kilograms to a polar orbit. Its staged combustion engine technology is advanced for a vehicle of its class, promising high efficiency and competitive performance. The collaboration between a Scottish spaceport and a German rocket company is another example of the deeply interconnected nature of the modern European space industry.

SaxaVord is also building infrastructure to support other launch providers. The site’s master plan includes facilities for payload processing, client accommodations, and a mission control center. This investment is intended to create a comprehensive ecosystem that can attract a wide range of customers, from satellite manufacturers to government agencies.

The development of SaxaVord has not been without challenges. Building a high-tech facility in a remote and environmentally sensitive location requires careful planning and community engagement. The spaceport has worked to minimize its ecological footprint and to create local economic benefits through job creation and investment. Its progress represents a significant step forward for the UK’s space ambitions, providing a tangible piece of infrastructure that can anchor the country’s growing commercial space sector. The first orbital launches from SaxaVord are anticipated to be landmark events for both Scotland and the wider European space community.

Sutherland Spaceport, Scotland

On the A’ Mhòine peninsula in Sutherland, on the north coast of mainland Scotland, another vertical launch site is taking shape. Sutherland Spaceport, also known as Space Hub Sutherland, is being developed by the Scottish government’s economic development agency, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, as the home base for a single, dedicated launch provider: Orbex.

Orbex is a UK-based company that is developing an innovative microlauncher called Prime. The Prime rocket is notable for its use of bio-propane, a renewable fuel that the company claims reduces carbon emissions by up to 90% compared to traditional kerosene-based rocket fuels. This focus on environmental sustainability is a core part of the identity of both Orbex and the Sutherland Spaceport. The spaceport itself is designed to be a low-carbon facility, with a small physical footprint that respects the surrounding peatland ecosystem.

The Prime rocket is a two-stage vehicle designed to carry payloads of up to 180 kilograms into sun-synchronous orbit. It features a novel carbon fiber and graphene composite structure, making it extremely lightweight. Orbex is also pioneering a reusable first stage, which it plans to recover and fly multiple times, a strategy intended to lower launch costs over the long term.

Unlike SaxaVord, which is a multi-user site, Sutherland is a dedicated facility for Orbex. This integrated model, where the launch vehicle and the spaceport are developed in tandem, allows for a high degree of optimization. The launchpad, assembly buildings, and control center are all custom-built to the specific requirements of the Prime rocket.

The development of Sutherland Spaceport has faced more public scrutiny and regulatory hurdles than some of its counterparts, partly due to its unique environmental setting. However, its proponents argue that it represents a new model for sustainable spaceflight, demonstrating that launch activities can coexist with ecological preservation. If successful, Orbex’s first launch from Sutherland will not only mark the UK’s entry into the orbital launch club but also serve as a proof-of-concept for a greener approach to accessing space.

Spaceport Cornwall, England

Taking a completely different approach to space access, Spaceport Cornwall in Newquay operates as a horizontal launch site. Instead of using a traditional vertical launchpad, it utilizes a modified passenger aircraft as a mobile launch platform. The spaceport is based at Cornwall Airport Newquay, which features one of the longest runways in the UK, capable of handling large aircraft.

The operational model for Spaceport Cornwall was centered on a partnership with Virgin Orbit and its LauncherOne system. This system involved a customized Boeing 747 aircraft, named Cosmic Girl, which carried the LauncherOne rocket under its wing. The aircraft would take off from the runway, fly out over the Atlantic Ocean to a designated drop zone, and then release the rocket at an altitude of about 35,000 feet. A few seconds after being dropped, the rocket’s first-stage engine would ignite, carrying its payload into orbit.

This air-launch method offers several distinct advantages. It provides geographic flexibility, as the plane can fly to the optimal launch point for a given orbit, rather than being fixed to a specific ground location. It also reduces the impact of weather, as the aircraft can fly above or around terrestrial weather systems. The infrastructure requirements are also less intensive than for a vertical launch site, as it leverages an existing airport runway.

In January 2023, Spaceport Cornwall and Virgin Orbit conducted the “Start Me Up” mission, the first-ever orbital launch attempt from UK soil. While Cosmic Girl successfully took off and released the rocket, a second-stage anomaly prevented the satellite payload from reaching orbit. The mission, though it did not achieve its final objective, was a historic achievement. It demonstrated the viability of the horizontal launch concept in the UK and successfully exercised all the ground operations, regulatory processes, and international agreements required for a launch.

Shortly after the mission, Virgin Orbit ceased operations due to financial difficulties, leaving the future of Spaceport Cornwall’s launch activities uncertain. However, the site remains a fully licensed spaceport. Its leaders are actively seeking new partners who operate or are developing other air-launch or horizontal launch systems. The existing infrastructure, including the newly built satellite integration facility and the long runway, makes it an attractive location for future ventures. Spaceport Cornwall’s story highlights both the promise and the perils of the commercial space industry, but it remains a key piece of the UK’s diverse space infrastructure.

The following table summarizes the key characteristics of the primary UK spaceports.

Emerging Continental Spaceports

Beyond the well-established plans in Scandinavia and the UK, several other European nations are actively developing spaceport projects. These initiatives are in various stages of development, from concrete construction to advanced planning, but all share the common goal of providing sovereign and competitive access to space.

Atlantic Ambitions: The Azores, Portugal

Portugal is positioning itself to become a significant player in the European launch market by leveraging its unique geographical asset: the Azores archipelago. Located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, about 1,400 kilometers from the mainland, the Azores offer an ideal location for a spaceport. Specifically, the island of Santa Maria is being developed as the site for the Azores Spaceport.

The location provides a wide range of launch inclinations without endangering populated areas. Rockets launched from Santa Maria can access both polar orbits and equatorial orbits, a versatility that few European sites can offer. A launch to the east from the Azores provides a clear path over the ocean, making it suitable for missions that are not headed into a polar orbit. This flexibility could allow the spaceport to serve a broader segment of the launch market, including missions to geostationary transfer orbit that are typically served from equatorial sites.

The development of the Azores Spaceport is being managed by the Portuguese space agency, Portugal Space, and is envisioned as a multi-user facility catering to the microlauncher market. The strategy is not to build a single, large launch complex, but rather to create a flexible site that can accommodate several different commercial rocket companies.

Several European launch vehicle developers have expressed strong interest in operating from Santa Maria. The combination of its strategic location, existing airport infrastructure, and the presence of an important ESA tracking station makes it a compelling choice. The tracking station, in particular, is a valuable asset, providing telemetry and tracking capabilities that are essential for any launch operation.

The Portuguese government sees the spaceport as a catalyst for economic development, hoping it will attract high-tech companies and investment to the region. The project is advancing through its planning and construction phases, with the goal of becoming operational in the near future. The Azores Spaceport is poised to become a key southern gateway to space for Europe, complementing the northern launch sites in Scandinavia and the UK.

Offshore Innovation: The German North Sea

Germany, a powerhouse in satellite and rocket manufacturing, has taken a novel approach to establishing a national launch capability. Instead of building a traditional land-based spaceport, a consortium of German industrial companies, with support from the German Aerospace Center (DLR), is developing an offshore launch platform in the North Sea.

This concept involves a mobile launch system. A specialized ship will transport a rocket and its support equipment out to a designated location in the German Exclusive Economic Zone. Once on site, the ship will serve as the launch platform and mission control center. This model provides maximum safety, as the launch takes place far from land, and offers significant flexibility. By moving the platform, operators can optimize the launch trajectory for different orbital inclinations.

The project is being led by the German Offshore Spaceport Alliance (GOSA). The primary customers for this service will be the German microlauncher companies, including Isar Aerospace and Rocket Factory Augsburg. While these companies already have agreements with land-based spaceports like Andøya and SaxaVord, a domestic German launch platform would provide them with additional options and enhance Germany’s sovereign access to space.

The first test campaigns have already been conducted to validate the concept. The system is designed to be a lean, “plug-and-play” launch service. A rocket manufacturer would deliver its vehicle to a port, where it would be integrated onto the launch ship. The ship then handles all the logistics of the launch campaign.

This offshore model addresses the challenge faced by densely populated countries like Germany, where finding a suitable location for a land-based spaceport is difficult due to safety and population density concerns. By moving the launch activities out to sea, these issues are neatly circumvented. The German North Sea platform represents one of the most innovative spaceport concepts in Europe, and its successful implementation could provide a blueprint for other nations facing similar geographical constraints.

Other European Initiatives

The drive for space access is not limited to these major projects. Several other countries and regions are exploring the possibility of developing their own launch facilities.

Spain has considered the Canary Islands as a potential location for a small satellite spaceport. Like the Azores, the Canary Islands offer a favorable southern latitude and a clear downrange path over the Atlantic. Studies have been conducted to assess the feasibility of establishing a launch site on the island of El Hierro.

In Italy, there have been discussions about developing a coastal or offshore launch capability to support the Vega rocket program and future microlaunchers. Given Italy’s strong role in European space manufacturing, particularly through companies like Avio, a domestic launch site is a logical consideration.

These and other early-stage concepts reflect a continent-wide recognition of the strategic and commercial importance of launch infrastructure. While not all of these plans may come to fruition, the sheer volume of activity indicates a significant and lasting shift in Europe’s approach to space.

The Strategic Imperative: Why Europe Needs New Spaceports

The proliferation of European spaceports is not a random occurrence; it is a direct response to a set of powerful strategic, economic, and technological drivers that have reshaped the global space industry. The move to build a network of launch sites on European soil is about more than just convenience; it’s about securing the continent’s future as an independent space power.

The Quest for Autonomy

For many years, Europe enjoyed a comfortable position with its “trio” of launchers based in French Guiana: the heavy-lift Ariane 5, the small-lift Vega, and the medium-lift Soyuz. This portfolio gave Arianespace a solution for nearly any satellite customer. However, the reliance on the Russian Soyuz rocket was a strategic vulnerability. When access to Soyuz was cut off in 2022, it created a sudden and significant gap in Europe’s launch capability. This event served as a stark reminder of the risks of depending on non-European partners for critical space infrastructure.

The development of domestic spaceports is a direct answer to this challenge. By building launch sites on their own territory, European nations can ensure that they have guaranteed access to space, regardless of the geopolitical climate. This is often referred to as “sovereign launch” or “assured access to space.” It means that European governments and companies will not have to ask for permission or rely on the goodwill of other nations to place their satellites in orbit. This is particularly important for security and defense satellites, as well as for critical infrastructure like the Galileo navigation system and the Copernicus Earth observation program. A spaceport in Shetland or Kiruna is under European control, providing a level of security and independence that cannot be outsourced.

The Commercial Revolution of Small Satellites

The single biggest economic driver behind the new spaceport boom is the revolution in small satellites, or “smallsats.” In the past, satellites were large, expensive, and custom-built, requiring the power of a heavy-lift rocket like Ariane 5. Today, advances in miniaturization and standardization have made it possible to build highly capable satellites that are no bigger than a shoebox or a microwave oven.

Companies are now planning to deploy vast constellations of satellites of hundreds or even thousands of these smallsats to provide services like global internet, maritime tracking, and high-resolution Earth imaging. These constellations require a different kind of launch service. Instead of one large launch every few months, they need frequent, dedicated launches to deploy their satellites and replace them as they age.

The new generation of European microlaunchers, developed by companies like Isar Aerospace, Orbex, and Rocket Factory Augsburg, is designed specifically to serve this market. And these rockets need launchpads. The new spaceports in Sweden, Norway, and the UK are being built expressly to cater to this commercial demand. They are designed for a high launch cadence, with streamlined operations that can get a customer’s satellite into orbit quickly and affordably. By providing the necessary ground infrastructure, these spaceports are enabling the growth of the entire European commercial space ecosystem. They create a domestic market where European satellite companies can use European rockets launched from European soil.

Technological and Economic Benefits

Building a spaceport is a major technological undertaking that brings a host of economic benefits. It creates high-skilled jobs in engineering, logistics, and operations. It stimulates local economies by requiring a supply chain of goods and services, from construction materials to highly specialized technical components.

Furthermore, a spaceport acts as a magnet for other high-tech industries. Satellite manufacturers, data analytics companies, and research institutions are often drawn to locate near a launch site, creating a “cluster” of space-related economic activity. This is already being seen in places like the Scottish Highlands and northern Sweden, where the new spaceports are expected to become hubs for regional innovation and development.

The development of new launch technologies, such as reusable rockets and green propellants, is also closely linked to the new spaceports. Facilities like Sutherland are being designed from the ground up to support sustainable and reusable launch systems. This forward-looking approach helps to drive the European space industry toward more cost-effective and environmentally friendly practices, keeping it competitive on the global stage. The presence of these advanced facilities on European soil allows for easier testing and development of these next-generation technologies.

In essence, the new European spaceports are foundational pieces of infrastructure. They are not just about launching rockets; they are about building a self-sufficient, competitive, and innovative European space economy for the 21st century. They provide the physical gateway to orbit that is necessary to turn the continent’s scientific and industrial capabilities into tangible success in space.

Vertical vs. Horizontal Launch: Two Paths to Orbit

The new generation of European spaceports showcases two fundamentally different methods for reaching space: traditional vertical launch and innovative horizontal, or air, launch. Each approach has a distinct set of advantages, disadvantages, and operational requirements that make it suitable for different types of missions and business models.

The Vertical Launch Model

The vertical launch is the classic image of spaceflight: a rocket standing upright on a launchpad, blasting off straight into the sky under its own power. This is the method used by nearly all major launch vehicles, from the Saturn V that went to the Moon to the modern Ariane 6 and the new European microlaunchers.

Infrastructure and Operations: A vertical launch spaceport requires significant fixed infrastructure. This includes a reinforced concrete launchpad designed to withstand the intense heat and acoustic energy of a rocket engine ignition. A launch tower, or “strongback,” is often needed to support the rocket before launch and provide umbilical connections for fuel, power, and data. Nearby, there are typically assembly buildings where the rocket stages and payload are integrated, as well as storage tanks for propellants like liquid oxygen, kerosene, or liquid hydrogen. A mission control center and a network of tracking antennas are also essential.

Advantages:

• Payload Capacity: For a given size, a vertically launched rocket can typically lift a heavier payload to orbit than an air-launched one. It does not have to be designed to be carried by an aircraft, allowing its structure to be optimized purely for spaceflight. This makes it the only viable method for heavy-lift missions.
• Efficiency: Ground-based launches are highly efficient. The rocket begins its ascent immediately, and its trajectory can be precisely optimized to reach the desired orbit with the minimum amount of fuel.
• Maturity: The technology and procedures for vertical launch are extremely well-understood, based on over 60 years of operational experience.

Disadvantages:

• Fixed Location: A vertical launch site is geographically fixed. This means it can only efficiently access a certain range of orbital inclinations. For example, a high-latitude site like SaxaVord is excellent for polar orbits but very inefficient for equatorial orbits.
• Weather Sensitivity: Vertical launches are highly sensitive to ground-level weather conditions, particularly high winds and lightning, which can cause delays or scrubs.
• Infrastructure Cost: The cost of building and maintaining the extensive infrastructure for a vertical launch site can be very high.

The spaceports at SaxaVord, Sutherland, Esrange, and Andøya are all based on the vertical launch model, which is perfectly suited for their primary mission of sending small satellites into polar orbits from a fixed northern latitude.

The Horizontal Launch Model

The horizontal launch, or air-launch, model uses an aircraft as a reusable first stage. A carrier aircraft takes off from a standard runway with the rocket attached. It flies to a predetermined altitude and location before releasing the rocket, which then ignites its own engine to continue the journey into space.

Infrastructure and Operations: A horizontal launch spaceport requires much less specialized infrastructure than a vertical one. The primary requirement is a long runway capable of supporting the large carrier aircraft. Instead of a launchpad, it needs a hangar for mating the rocket to the aircraft and a standard airport’s ground support equipment. Payload processing can be done in a dedicated cleanroom facility, like the one built at Spaceport Cornwall.

Advantages:

• Flexibility: This is the key advantage. The carrier aircraft can take off from any suitable airport and fly to the optimal point on Earth to launch a satellite into any desired orbital inclination. A single system based in Cornwall could, in theory, launch a satellite into a polar orbit on one mission and an equatorial orbit on the next.
• Weather Resilience: By flying to 35,000 feet, the system gets above most of the dense lower atmosphere and adverse weather, significantly reducing the chance of weather-related delays.
• Reduced Ground Infrastructure: Leveraging an existing airport dramatically reduces the cost and complexity of building the spaceport.

Disadvantages:

• Payload Limitation: The size and weight of the rocket are limited by what the carrier aircraft can safely carry. This generally restricts air-launch systems to the small satellite market.
• System Complexity: While the ground infrastructure is simpler, the overall system, which includes a large, specially modified aircraft and the complex automated release sequence, is highly sophisticated.
• Development Cost: The non-recurring cost of developing and certifying a carrier aircraft and an air-launched rocket can be very high.

Spaceport Cornwall is Europe’s prime example of the horizontal launch model. Its experience with Virgin Orbit demonstrated the operational viability of this approach from UK soil. While currently seeking a new launch partner, its existence provides Europe with a different and complementary path to orbit, offering a level of flexibility that fixed vertical sites cannot match.

Both models have a role to play in a robust and diverse launch ecosystem. Vertical launch provides the raw power and efficiency needed for most missions, while horizontal launch offers unparalleled flexibility and responsiveness for the small satellite market. The fact that Europe is developing both types of spaceports is a sign of a mature and forward-looking space strategy.

Summary

The landscape of European space access is being redrawn. For decades, the continent’s journey to orbit began almost exclusively from a single, highly successful spaceport in French Guiana. As of 2025, the Guiana Space Centre remains the vital hub for Europe’s heavy-lift and strategic missions, ushering in the era of the Ariane 6 rocket. Yet, it is no longer the only gateway. A wave of new, agile, and commercially focused spaceports has risen across the European continent itself, fundamentally decentralizing and strengthening Europe’s position in space.

From the Arctic Circle to the Atlantic islands, these new facilities are purpose-built for the modern space economy. In Sweden and Norway, historic suborbital sites at Esrange and Andøya have evolved into the first mainland European orbital launchpads, poised to serve the booming market for small satellites in polar orbits. In the United Kingdom, a dynamic, multi-pronged strategy has yielded a licensed vertical launch site at SaxaVord in the Shetlands, a dedicated, eco-focused facility taking shape at Sutherland, and a pioneering horizontal launch hub at Spaceport Cornwall. Further south, plans for the Azores Spaceport in Portugal and Germany’s innovative offshore platform in the North Sea promise to add even more capacity and flexibility to the network.

This expansion is driven by clear and pressing needs: the strategic imperative for autonomous, sovereign access to space, free from geopolitical dependencies; the powerful economic demand from the small satellite revolution; and the desire to capture the technological and economic benefits that a domestic launch industry brings. The development of both vertical and horizontal launch capabilities demonstrates a sophisticated, resilient strategy.

This emerging network of spaceports marks a new chapter for Europe. It fosters competition, drives innovation in areas like reusable rockets and sustainable fuels, and creates a complete ecosystem where European companies can design, build, and launch their technologies from European soil. The continent is no longer just a user of space, but a comprehensive space power with the ground infrastructure to match its ambitions.