A federal agency is exploring using retired offshore oil and gas infrastructure to launch rockets into space.
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, part of the Interior Department, on Tuesday requested public input on whether it would be useful to repurpose offshore drilling platforms — or build new structures — to boost the commercial space industry.
“The Outer Continental Shelf presents a significant opportunity to support the future of America’s space economy,” said BOEM acting Director Matt Giacona in a statement. “Offshore launch, re-entry, and recovery infrastructure could expand operational flexibility, increase capacity, reduce constraints on growing launch demand, and strengthen the nation’s commercial and national security space capabilities.”
Set to be published Wednesday in the Federal Register is a 30-day comment period notice asking for input on whether the idea would contribute to a “vibrant commercial space economy” and how the process would be managed by various federal entities.
