US space tourism company Virgin Galactic has revealed it is evaluating the prospect of future spaceflight operations from Grottaglie Spaceport in the Puglia region of southern Italy.

In cooperation with Italy’s civil aviation authority Ente Nazionale per l’Aviazione Civile (ENAC), Virgin Galactic will begin conducting a feasibility study to evaluate the necessary technical requirements for suborbital spaceflight operations at Grottaglie Spaceport.

Grottaglie Spaceport, which was designated a commercial spaceport by Italy’s Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport in 2018, primarily operates as a base for suborbital spaceflights, including private and commercial suborbital transportation as well as a hub for various research activities. Following a recent Euro70m funding boost from the Italian government, the infrastructure is now in place to enable full spaceport operations.

The study will also evaluate the surrounding area’s ability to support private and research suborbital spaceflight...