The First Steps of the Spaceport in Peru: Towards Consolidation as the Largest in South America

Bett J.S.-P. · Proceedings of the International Astronautical Congress, IAC (2024) · DOI: 10.52202/078373-0118

Resumen

Thanks to extensive national and international research efforts, and with the backing of the United States, Peru has secured approval for the construction of a spaceport. Ratified in December 2023 within the Multiannual Investment Report on Public-Private Partnerships (IMIAPP) by the Ministry of Defense and the Peruvian Air Force (FAP), this initiative leverages Peru's equatorial location for more efficient rocket and satellite launches. This study evaluates the strategic decision-making processes that led to the selection of Talara’s "El Pato" Air Base, emphasizing the role of public policies in facilitating the development of critical infrastructure. With an investment exceeding $300 million, research suggests that Piura’s spaceport could become one of the largest in South America, spanning 1,000 km2 and supporting both orbital and suborbital launches. The establishment of this spaceport not only positions Peru as a key player in South America's space industry but also highlights the importance of government policies in driving technological and economic growth. These policies ensure regulatory clarity, foster public-private partnerships, and streamline the path toward enhanced national space capabilities and more efficient satellite launches.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería