Economic authorities express reservations about Germany's space station

In a development that could shake up the European aerospace industry, the Federal Ministry of Economics is currently evaluating the economic viability of a potential German spaceport. The ministry's response to an inquiry from the FDP parliamentary group, reported by the "Süddeutsche Zeitung" (Thursday edition), does not indicate a definitive timeline for a decision on the spaceport.

Last year, the BDI industry association proposed building a launch site for small rockets in Germany to boost the country's aerospace industry in international competition. The ministry's response suggests that the Rostock-Laage airport could be a potential spaceport, suitable for rocket launches from an aircraft. However, no decision has been made yet regarding the construction of a German spaceport.

The ministry is also examining the feasibility of a launch site for small rockets in the North Sea or on land. This exploration comes as German companies and research institutions are not fundamentally dependent on a launch site for microlaunchers in Germany, according to the ministry's response.

Three start-ups nationwide are currently developing commercial small rockets, according to the "Süddeutsche Zeitung". Notable among these are Isar Aerospace, which has ESA contracts for satellite transport missions, and Rheinmetall, which cooperates with Lockheed Martin to produce rockets like ATACMS and Hellfire at its plant in Unterlüß.

The ministry is not ruling out the possibility of a spaceport on land or in the North Sea. However, it mentions planned or existing launch sites in Northern Europe, the Azores, and French Guiana as potential alternatives.

Reinhard Houben, the economic policy spokesman of the FDP parliamentary group, criticizes the ministry's response as a stalling tactic. Despite this, the potential German spaceport remains under consideration for small rocket launches. The ministry's response does not specify the type or size of the small rockets being considered for launch.

As the debate continues, the potential benefits and challenges of a German spaceport are being weighed against the costs and potential alternatives. Only time will tell if Germany will join the ranks of nations with a spaceport of its own.