The Atlantic Spaceport Consortium (ASC), a company dedicated to the development and operation of spaceports, has obtained its license to operate a Spaceport in Santa Maria, Azores.
The spaceport, now designated as the Malbusca Launch Centre, is the first to be licensed by the Portuguese Space Authority, ANACOM. ASC's value proposition continues to focus on the development and operation of an open, commercially viable, safe, and environmentally friendly spaceport. Since its incorporation, the ASC has worked to ensure compliance with all requirements set forth in national legislation and related regulations, culminating in a formal licensing request submitted to ANACOM in December 2024.
The Malbusca Launch Centre, located at 36º55'57''N, 25º04'12''W, offers several competitive advantages, including: low air traffic density, integrated into the Santa Maria Oceanic Flight Information Region (FIR), managed by NAV Portugal; low maritime traffic density and a vast area of the Atlantic Ocean that will allow for safe flights and re-entry; and the ability to use launch trajectories that will eventually allow space objects to be placed in commercially attractive orbits. Located in Portugal, within the European Union, the Malbusca Launch Centre is positioned to contribute to greater European autonomy in access to space and to add value to the global space economy.
"This is the first license for a Spaceport issued in Portugal, which required a learning process for all parties involved, and there were many. The ASC thanks ANACOM for the openness and transparency with which it received and managed this entire process, the Portuguese Space Agency for all the technical work carried out, the Regional Government of the Azores for its strategic support, and the Municipality of Vila do Porto for welcoming us," stated Bruno Carvalho, Director of the Atlantic Spaceport Consortium. "With this license, we can confidently promote the Spaceport to the international community and to our customers, helping establish Portugal as space nation among our partners."
"The awarding of this license to the ASC embodies a continued effort to position Portugal, starting from the Azores, as a point of access and return to space. The involvement of national operators like the ASC is essential to achieving this ambition and transforming the Azores' geographic potential into an operational capability serving Europe. As in other countries, this is a phased process, with gradual but consistent progress. This milestone confirms that the country is ready to host large-scale space activities, within a clear legal framework with high standards," says Ricardo Conde, president of the Portuguese Space Agency.
José Manuel Bolieiro, President of the Regional Government of the Azores, stated,
"This licensing is a historic step that reflects the Region's vision and commitment. It positions the Azores as a relevant player in space innovation, with clear benefits for Europe and our archipelago, paving the way for future orbital launches from Santa Maria."
The license now obtained will allow the ASC to advance to the next level of activity, continuing to attract launcher operators, who will now be able to initiate their own licensing processes, designating Malbusca Launch Centre as their spaceport of choice. The ASC will be ready to support them in these processes and welcome them to Santa Maria, having already signed contracts for the first suborbital flights to occur in the spring of 2026.
