The Island Council and the company B2Space are promoting an initiative that positions the island as a benchmark in aerospace innovation in the Atlantic. The official presentation open to citizens will take place this Friday, November 14, at 11:30 a.m., at the Maritime Station of Puerto de Vueltas, Valle Gran Rey
This November, La Gomera will host a hot air balloon launch pilot test promoted by the company B2Space, in collaboration with the Island Council, as part of the island strategy to consolidate the island as a technological and aerospace innovation laboratory in the Atlantic.
The initiative is part of the development of the Rockoon system, a disruptive technology that combines a stratospheric balloon with a solid propulsion rocket, designed to place small and micro satellites in low Earth orbits (LEO). This type of launch reduces fuel consumption and operating costs by avoiding atmospheric friction in the early phases of the flight, offering a more sustainable and accessible alternative to space.
Since 2022, the Island Council, with the collaboration of the Government of the Canary Islands, through Proexca, promotes an economic diversification strategy that promotes the implementation of scientific and technological activities, taking advantage of the unique geographical conditions of the island, its unsaturated airspace and its commitment to sustainability.
Initiatives such as the installation of companies specialized in drones, the collaboration with Airborne Wind Europe for the development of energy with drones, or the air medical transport projects promoted together with Bluenest by Globalvia, have placed La Gomera as a reference area for the experimentation and validation of aeronautical and aerospace technologies.
The president of the Cabildo, Casimiro Curbelo, explains that this new test "reinforces the vision of La Gomera as a space for technological innovation and public-private cooperation that generates qualified employment opportunities, boosts the local economy and projects the name of the island internationally."
Presentation on November 14 in Valle Gran Rey
The official presentation event will be held on Friday, November 14, at 11:30 a.m., at the Maritime Station of Puerto de Vueltas (Valle Gran Rey), with a day open to the public and with the participation of institutional representatives, researchers and companies from the sector, together with the B2Space team.
During the day, the technical details of the project, its impact on the European aerospace sector and the strategic role of La Gomera in this area will be presented. Subsequently, the experimental launch is scheduled to take place on Sunday, November 16, in which a technical team of 19 B2Space professionals will participate.
The validation of the Rockoon system represents a decisive advance for the European aerospace industry, by offering a competitive and sustainable alternative to traditional launch methods, promoting the democratization of access to space.
Likewise, the project contributes to local development, generating opportunities for collaboration with technological SMEs, educational centers and research entities, in addition to promoting scientific dissemination and technological tourism that consolidates the image of La Gomera as an innovation enclave in the Atlantic.
The development of this project in La Gomera is promoted by the Island Council, the Government of the Canary Islands, together with Proexca and the company B2Space.
