Portugal and the European Space Agency (ESA) picked Santa Maria Island in the Azores as the landing site for the Space Rider’s maiden flight, consolidating the development of the future Santa Maria Space Hub, a 15-million-euro estimated investment.

Under the national ESA programme subscription, to the sum of 204.8 million euros, Portugal will ensure the development of the future Santa Maria Space Hub and landing site for the Space Rider, with the Azorean Regional Government’s contribution and commitment.

Picking Santa Maria as the landing site for the new space vehicle reinforces the Azores’ strategic role in the European context and is part of a wider vision to set up a multifaceted hub on the Island, which also includes initiatives to access and return from Space on Santa Maria.

Azores with a central role

The Minister of Education, Science and Innovation Fernando Alexandre stresses that "based on the investment carried out over the last 25 years and its scientific, technological and corporate capabilities developed, Portugal has decided to strengthen its investment in the field of Space in the upcoming European Space Agency’s cycle".

"The Autonomous Region of the Azores will play a central role in the development of a new Space strategy and affirming Portugal as an Atlantic nation through Space, namely via the creation of a Space Hub on Santa Maria island in line with the goals of boosting Europe’s autonomy in launch and landing operations, as well as the development of space and ocean observation capabilities", he added.

The President of the Azores Regional Government José Manuel Bolieiro notes that: "We are living in an era of opportunities where the Azores due to its history and geography are becoming even more relevant to Portugal and Europe. We are prepar4ed for the world and for the future, enhancing the potential of space, the seas, science, and new technologies".

He added that "today is a reason for great satisfaction for the country and pride for the Azores. This huge step ennobles us as a Region and reinforces our strategic role in the development of the European space sector ".

National Space Industry

The national investment through ESA ensures the necessary resources to move forward with the stage of preparing the infrastructure, boosting Portugal’s participation in structural European programmes and the competitiveness of national industry linked to space technology.

Portugal will increase by 51% its financial contribution to ESA for the 2026-2030 period, to a total sum of 204.8 million euros, which shows the country’s commitment to the Space sector.

The national allocation engages the Government areas of Science and Innovation, Economy, Infrastructure and, for the first time, Defence and the Environment, as well as the Autonomous Region of the Azores, which is contributing with 3 million euros.

Under the Portuguese subscription to the ESA Programmes, the contribution made by the Azores Regional Government will be fully applied to the Santa Maria space ecosystem. Specifically, this amount will be dedicated to developing the future Santa Maria Space Hub, where the Space Rider will land after its maiden flight.

With this agreement and the financial commitment now pledged, Portugal takes a new step in consolidating Santa Maria as a European space hub and the creation of new scientific, technological, and economic opportunities for the country and the Autonomous Region of the Azores, staking its claim as a strategic player in the sector on a European level.

The agreement was signed in Bremen, Germany, by the Portuguese Minister of Education, Science and Innovation Fernando Alexandre, ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher, and the President of the Portuguese Space Agency Ricardo Conde. The Italian Minister of Enterprises Adolfo Urso, the country that is leading the Space Rider mission, witnessed this moment.

The 23 ESA Member States, which Portugal has been for 25 years, met since Wednesday in Bremen, Germany, to put forward their financial contributions and set the priorities for the 2026-2030 cycle. 

Portugal formally joined the European Space Agency on 14 November 2000.