Mikroelektronika

January 9, 2026, 2:32 AM EST. According to ECO, a contract with the Atlantic Spaceport Consortium runs through 2030. The first rocket is expected to launch by the end of 2026, with regular launches planned at the Malbusca launch centre. Bruno Carvalho of the Atlantic Spaceport Consortium framed the deal as advancing an open spaceport and praised Innospace's trust. The Malbusca site is set to host Europe's first orbital flights from Santa Maria, while Innospace gains priority access to pads in the Azores, Brazil and Australia for a global launch network. Innospace's founder Soojong Kim said the arrangement connects launch sites across South America, Oceania and Europe to offer flexible mission trajectories. Portugal's Space Agency chief Ricardo Conde called it a vote of international confidence and noted a €15 million investment linked to ESA programmes. Santa Maria will host the Santa Maria Space Technology Centre and Space Rider's landing site.