The Spaceports App
The Spaceports App is an interactive, map-based platform that brings global launch infrastructure data into one place, so engineers and analysts can compare spaceports by technical specification and operational status.
The space industry is expanding fast. New companies are entering the launch market, next-generation vehicles are in development, and microsatellites are changing how telecommunications and Earth observation work. As the number of companies grows, ground infrastructure has become a bottleneck. We’re building the Spaceports App to close that gap.
Where the idea came from
The idea grew out of watching engineers and logistics managers deal with the same recurring problem, and it took shape during our team’s visit to the Guiana Space Centre (CSG). Seeing the scale and complexity of operations at the launch pad made the issue clear: checking available infrastructure is still a slow, manual task, even in an industry that runs on advanced technology.
Spaceport data is currently split across separate agency websites, buried in PDF bulletins, or locked in spreadsheets that don’t talk to each other. We concluded that the industry needs one reliable source showing spaceport locations alongside their technical specifications and current operational status.
Why comparing launch sites is difficult
Choosing a launch site means checking dozens of details, and we identified three obstacles that slow this process down.
Data isn’t standardised. Each operator describes its capabilities and facilities differently, which makes it hard to compare sites quickly or accurately.
Cross-referencing takes too long. Confirming that a site with a cleanroom also holds the right administrative status (Dual-Use Ready, for example) and supports the required orbital inclinations means manually pulling data from several sources.
Operational statuses go stale fast. Launch windows shift, No Earlier Than (NET) dates change, and historical launch records get updated, so traditional databases are out of date shortly after publication.
What the Spaceports App does
Instead of building another list, we’re developing an interactive, map-based application for quick site analysis. The Spaceports App pulls infrastructure metadata from around the world into one interface.
It connects to external databases, including The Space Devs API, to process real-time data on thousands of launches. Users can filter sites by technical specifications, readiness level (investment and legal maturity), supported orbits, and number of pads.
Who the Spaceports App is for
The Spaceports App is built to simplify spatial and technical analysis. Its filters let users narrow the global map down to a handful of sites that meet specific requirements within seconds.
We designed it for people working across the space sector:
- Launch service providers assessing infrastructure and operational capacity at new sites.
- Payload manufacturers checking that their hardware specifications match ground integration capabilities.
- Supply chain managers planning logistics and operational support for missions.
- Analysts and investors tracking how global launch infrastructure is developing.
How to try the Spaceports App
The Spaceports App is still in active development. The SpaceTech community has specific technical requirements, and we want the product to genuinely help engineers and decision-makers do their jobs. We’re taking feedback from anyone in the industry.
Try the tool, tell us what’s missing, and let us know which features to build next.
