The German government has committed €2 million to support the development of infrastructure that would enable the country to support the launch of microlaunchers from German territory.
“Microlaunchers are a cutting-edge technology and will enable further innovations. At the same time, this initiative strengthens Germany’s and the EU’s strategic autonomy,” explained Member of Parliament from Bremen, Dr. Volker Redder, who had advocated for the funding.
Although the funding does not appear to be committed to a single company, the press release announcing the allocation of the funding did make specific reference to the German Offshore Spaceport Alliance (GOSA).
Tractebel DOC Offshore, MediaMobil, OHB, and Harren Shipping Services partnered to form GOSA in December 2022. The company is developing an offshore launch capability built upon a 170-metre ship.
While the €2 million in funding would serve as a significant vote of confidence from the German government, GOSA will primarily rely on private funding to complete the project. A 2020 feasibility study found that the development and operation of the North Sea spaceport would cost between €22 and €30 million over six years.
German launch startups HyImpulse and Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA), UK-based Skyrora, and T-Minus from the Netherlands all signed memorandums of understanding in 2021 expressing support for the GOSA North Sea platform. In July, representatives from HyImpulse, RFA, and T-Minus all confirmed to European Spaceflight that they still supported the project.
