In a follow-up on the recent announcement of the feasibility study for a spaceport in Oviedo, Pedernales, Diario Libre reports a source has said that the Florida company, Launch on Demand is covering all the costs for the feasibility study. The newly created National Intelligency Agency signed the agreement for the Dominican government.
Burton Catledge of Launch on Demand has said the installation of the spaceport would enable the Dominican Republic to improve critical satellite monitoring and surveillance capabilities to address illegal migration, drug trafficking and environmental damage. “The agreement with the DNI focuses on near-term national security concerns but intends to rapidly expand to support the commercial space industry in Latin America.
The agreement signed on 14 May 2024 came after two years of negotiations. When in California for the Summit of the Americas, an invitation of the US government, President Luis Abinader visited the installations of SpaceX, a private spaceship company. President Luis Abinader invited Elon Musk to the DR to explore advanced manufacturing and technology capacities when the later commented on the intelligent wall under construction on the border with Haiti.
Diario Libre reports that the Dominican government is interested in improving surveillance with satellite technology, due to the constant concern of national security agencies in aspects such as illegal migration through border posts, drug trafficking and the use of speed boats that arrive, above all, from South America, as well as forest fires.
“For them (Launch on Demand) it is a commercial issue, for the DNI it is a national security issue and for the State in general, it is a foreign investment issue, since it would imply more jobs and other benefits,” the source told Diario Libre.
He pointed out that the Dominican Republic, as a strategic ally of the United States, can offer a satellite launch spaceport that serves as an additional one to the spaceport in French Guiana, which is currently not sufficient for the demand.
“That would place the Dominican Republic with greater visibility on the map of investors worldwide. It would be very good, because behind it there are international public companies that provide the funds.”
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Diario Libre
Presidency
27 May 2024