Maldives Future in Space

The Maldives could have a future in space with the right people leading the way. Giving the Maldives a profitable industry, bring technology to the atolls and educating people in a growing industry. The Maldives location and climate are favorable for launch operations. The atolls are strong enough for launches and a sea-ward launch is very simple, as the Maldives is a good distance from any large land masses.

Some Reasons Why the Maldives would be a good place for a Space Centre.

1) Launch Location:

The Maldives is located in the middle of the Indian Ocean straddling the equator - a perfect launch position. There are several advantages of a Maldives based, equatorial launch over most other countries land-based launch facilities:

• The rotational speed of the Earth is greatest at the equator, providing a minor extra launch "boost".

• The need for a "plane change" to the zero degree inclination of geostationary orbit is eliminated, providing a major extra launch "boost". The same rocket launched from Cape Canaveral at 28.5 degrees north latitude would lift 15%–20% less mass to geostationary orbit.

•  Any orbital inclination could be reached, thus (for example) combining in one launch site the attainable inclinations of both Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg.

2) Maldives Climate: The Maldives average rainfall is on par with other major launch sites with only 2,500 (100 in) of annual rainfall. India's launch site at Sriharikota Island annual rainfall averages about 2,500 mm (100 in) and NASA's  Florida site averages about 2,159mm (85 in) per year.

3) Security and Safety:

Remote atoll groups, surrounded by large seas, allow for excellent launch site security and safety.

• An ocean-ward launch reduces risks related to launching over populated areas, providing better safety to third parties.

• Absence of range conflicts with other launch systems and a near total absence of ship or overhead air traffic that would constrain launch.

• Maldives has friendly governmental relationships with India. USA, Russia, China and Europe. All the major space players.

It would be nice to see a space centre and launch facility in the Maldives in the next 5-10 years.  I am sure the Indian and USA space programs would be interested in investing in the Maldives on space projects. With the right direction and focused work, maybe the next place for Maldivans is in the stars themselves.