On December 12, 2024, Virgin Galactic made significant strides in its quest to expand its suborbital spaceflights by signing a crucial agreement with the Italian government. This agreement marks a pivotal step towards the operational readiness of the company’s Delta-class suborbital spaceplanes from Grottaglie Airport, located in southern Italy.
The Agreement Details
The cooperative agreement was signed with Ente Nazionale per l'Aviazione Civile (ENAC), Italy's civil aviation regulator. The agreement outlines a study to evaluate the viability of operating Virgin Galactic's spaceplanes from the designated airport, which the Italian government recognized as a prospective spaceport back in 2018.
Michael Colglazier, the chief executive officer of Virgin Galactic, expressed optimism during the event held at the Italian Embassy in Washington, D.C. “With momentum building as we look ahead, now, today, is the time for Virgin Galactic to take the critically important next step of assessing the location and the operational feasibility of our first spaceport outside of the United States,” he stated.
Phased Study Approach
The study mandated by this agreement will occur in two distinct phases:
- Phase One: This phase will focus on the technical and operational challenges of utilizing Grottaglie as a spaceport. Topics of exploration will include potential flight paths and airspace access, as well as the infrastructure needs for spaceport operations.
- Phase Two: This subsequent phase will delve into economic and community impacts, ensuring that the expansion benefits the local area while being technically feasible.
Mike Moses, Virgin Galactic's president of spaceline, noted that the first phase's completion is targeted for the end of 2025. This timeline reflects the commitment to a thorough and careful assessment of all required operational logistics.
Historical Context
Planning for suborbital space operations within Italy has roots that trace back over a decade. Fabio Nicolai, ENAC’s deputy director, highlighted that his agency formed a memorandum of cooperation with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) back in 2014. Since then, they have developed performance-based regulations modeled after the FAA's guidelines.
This agreement stands as a "significant step forward," according to Nicolai, who also stated that the collaborative efforts will establish the groundwork for safe and sustainable commercial space operations within Italy.
Virgin Galactic’s Previous Efforts
This latest agreement is not Virgin Galactic's first attempt to establish a connection to Italy or Grottaglie Airport specifically. In 2018, Virgin Galactic entered agreements with Italian firms Altec and Sitael to investigate operational flights from Grottaglie. This follows an earlier partnership to assess the possibility of SpaceShipTwo flights from Italian soil.
Moreover, the Italian government, alongside the Puglia regional authorities, recently earmarked investments totaling €70 million (approximately $73.5 million) to enhance Grottaglie Airport's capabilities. This will likely involve creating a hangar and constructing associated facilities necessary for spaceport functions. The airport's primary runway extends 3,200 meters, sufficient for spaceplane operations.
Future Prospects
While Virgin Galactic is making headway in establishing operations from Grottaglie Airport, any potential flights from this spaceport may take several years to materialize. The company is currently dedicated to finalizing its fleet of Delta-class suborbital spaceplanes, which will initially operate from Spaceport America in New Mexico.
In August, the company disclosed ambitious financial projections anticipating that Spaceport America could eventually host up to 275 flights per year while utilizing four spaceplanes and two mothership aircraft. These operations might generate nearly $1 billion in annual revenue.
During an earnings call in August, Colglazier indicated that Virgin Galactic was evaluating various options for further spaceport developments outside the U.S., estimating a four- to five-year timeline to bring a new spaceport into active service.
As the company seeks to raise $300 million to expedite the development of additional spacecraft and support infrastructure, the future endeavors at Grottaglie Spaceport could play a vital role in Virgin Galactic's global expansion strategies.
Conclusion
The agreement between Virgin Galactic and the Italian government reflects both parties' commitment to advancing space tourism and operations beyond the U.S. borders. As the first phase of the study unfolds, the potential for establishing Grottaglie as a viable spaceport could open new avenues for commercial space travel and further solidify Italy's position in the emerging aerospace sector.
Related Links
For further insights on Virgin Galactic’s various agreements and the future of space tourism, you may explore:
- Virgin Galactic outlines future spaceplane economics
- Virgin Galactic seeks funding for fleet expansion
For more information, please visit SpaceNews.
