{"id":30522,"date":"2020-10-08T15:28:55","date_gmt":"2020-10-08T15:28:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2020\/10\/08\/german-industry-pushes-for-space-launch-site-in-the-north-sea\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T22:31:46","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T22:31:46","slug":"german-industry-pushes-for-space-launch-site-in-the-north-sea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/global\/europe\/2020\/10\/08\/german-industry-pushes-for-space-launch-site-in-the-north-sea\/","title":{"rendered":"German industry pushes for space launch site in the North Sea"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

COLOGNE, Germany \u2014 Germany should jump-start its space technology sector by building a mobile micro-launch platform in the North Sea that could send national security payloads into orbit, according to a proposal by the Federation of German Industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The idea picked up steam during late summer, as the trade association published its ideas in a report and initiated talks with government agencies, including the ministries for economic affairs and defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initiative, one of several micro-launch sites planned or under development throughout Europe, is primarily the product of commercial considerations. Having access to a space port on short notice that is primed for small payloads and low-cost operations is a must-have to incentivize companies to stay in the country, as the United States and others<\/a> seek to lure German space talent abroad, proponents say.<\/p>\n\n\n\t