Portugal’s Azores to host Europe’s new space gateway in 2026

Portugal is positioning the Azores as Europe’s next major space launch site, with Santa Maria set to host the continent’s newest spaceport.

In August, 2025, the Atlantic Spaceport Consortium (ASC) received a five-year licence to operate the facility – the first of its kind in Portugal.

The move places Portugal alongside other European nations competing in the fast-growing small satellite launch market, which has seen rising demand for low Earth orbit (LEO) missions.

Why Santa Maria was chosen for the spaceport

Santa Maria, the southernmost island of the Azores, offers several advantages:

• Mid-Atlantic location – ideal for orbital trajectories with fewer conflicts with air and sea routes.
• EU territory – strategically important for Europe’s autonomy in space launches.
• Existing infrastructure – including an ESA tracking station, a 3,048-metre runway, and a small port.

According to AeroTime, Ricardo Conde, Director of the Portuguese Space Agency, confirmed the project has been part of the national space strategy since 2018, though regulatory approvals delayed progress.

Bruno Carvalho, ASC’s Managing Director, revealed the consortium has already signed contracts with four launch providers. In July 2025, Polish firm SpaceForest agreed to launch its PERUN suborbital rocket from the Azores.

The first commercial launch is scheduled for May 2026, with ASC targeting 12 to 14 launches per year, rising to a maximum of 20 once operations stabilise.

Experimental test flights have already taken place. In October 2024, ASC successfully launched atmospheric rockets to 7,000 metres, testing logistics and procedures before securing the licence.

Competing with other European spaceports

The Azores will compete with projects in Scotland, Cornwall, Norway, and the Canary Islands.

For expats living in Portugal and Spain, the Azores spaceport represents more than just rocket launches. It could bring:

• New jobs and investment to the Azores and mainland Portugal.
• Tourism opportunities, as rocket launches are expected to attract international visitors.
• Regional prestige, positioning Portugal as a leader in Europe’s space economy.

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