The ancient Peruvians observed the stars. Whether for religion or for a practical purpose such as establishing calendars, defining time or planning cities, the astronomy was present. Now a new boost could be received with the future space port that is being built in Piura.
The Spaceport project has achieved its notoriety in recent months. One of the places designated for its establishment is the El Pato air base, in Talara.
Several institutions are involved in the configuration of this project, such as the Private Investment Promotion Agency (Proinversión), the Peruvian Air Force (FAP) and the Ministry of Defense. It was this portfolio that shared on its social networks some details of the future spaceport, the first in our country and the region. But it is Proinversión who will define the management that will be followed to make the space port a reality.
It is known that this project will facilitate the launches of rockets and spacecraft for orbital and suborbital flights. This is an aspect that is mentioned due to the location of the Spaceport. Being close to the equator, the fuel saving is 30% and that saving is converted into 30% more cargo capacity on the ferries that would make these flights.
What makes up this space station? The Spaceport will have ground platforms, a control center, preparation, integration and validation hangars, as well as taxi and take-off runways, in a clear area far from the population.
In addition, the project is part of the Multiannual Report on Investments in Public-Private Associations and Asset Projects (IMIAPP) and an investment of more than S/1,000 million is estimated.
On the other hand, recently the general commander of the Peruvian Air Force, Carlos Chávez, told TVPerú that this port would allow Peru to “launch our first vehicle into space.” He noted that the project is moving very quickly and that “within three to five years we will be able to launch our first vehicle into space.”
The general pointed out that the location is strategic because it is only 4 degrees below the equator.
Sounding rockets
Agreement with NASA
This week, in the midst of the APEC 2024 meetings, the Peruvian Space Agency (CONIDA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote the research and development of advanced technologies, in addition to opening the doors to the sounding rocket launch campaign that will take place in 2028. The Punta Lobos scientific base, together with the Jicamarca Radio Observatory, are considered ideal locations to carry out these experiments.
Space tourism
One of the highlights of flights to space is that you can contribute to space tourism, a trend that has been growing in recent years with companies offering trips that only some have managed to make.
The companies that are dedicated to this activity are Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin, SpaceX, Space Perspective or World View, and the cost of the trip is around half a million dollars (about two million soles) for just a few minutes in space. This is the case of Virgin Galactic, which for 3 minutes can charge up to 450 thousand euros for a seat, according to a report from Xataka.
For this, it has its spacecraft called VSS Unity, which can reach 80 kilometers in height, considered the beginning of space. Its first flight with tourists was made in the middle of last year with passengers Jon Goodwin, Keisha Schahaff and Anastatia Mayers. For this activity, companies have private astronauts.
A different case is World View Enterprises, which works on the balloon travel system. The difference with a rocket is that it does not actually reach space, travelers will be able to see the curvature of the Earth in the midst of space darkness, but the lack of gravity will not yet be felt.
Another company that has announced its entry into space tourism is the Spanish Halo Space. During his presentation, CEO Carlos Mira indicated in El Español the three types of trips that can be made, even at the level of Earth orbit.
The orbital journey reaches more than 300 kilometers in altitude. In this case it is necessary to travel by rocket, there is no gravity and the duration of the trip ranges between 5 hours and 5 days. The other modality is suborbital or parabolic travel, in which you ascend to a height of between 80 and 120 kilometers in a rocket or plane. Finally there are Near Space flights, which only reach a height of between 25 and 40 kilometers.
Opportunity for science
Another notable aspect is that it will favor technological research and education. In the middle of last year, the “CubeSats in Peru” project was carried out for training, the assembly of nanosatellites, and the implementation of ground stations in participating educational institutions.
Peruvian team won a contest organized by NASA. Proposal mixes space tourism with education on an interactive platform.
Now, the space station project has generated new joint work with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the United States Space Command Commission, which have been providing technical advice. This knowledge exchange can then be translated into technology development.
But there is also a private job. Last year, a team of young Peruvian researchers won the NASA International Space Apps Challenge 2023 with a proposal that promotes space tourism and education about the universe.
The project is called Space Odyssey Plannera tool worked on by the Astrogenesis group. “The astronomical culture here is a little low right now. It’s just taking off with this whole issue of the station that they plan to do,” said James Montes, one of the team members. In communication with this newspaper, he highlighted on that occasion the importance of promoting astronomy in education.
And just as the ancient Peruvians observed the stars, the new space station would make us look back to the sky and much beyond.
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