US privately-owned space travel company Space Perspective has begun operating a new sea-going rocket launch and recovery base. Named Voyager, the 294-foot (89.6-metre) mobile platform was originally built as a platform supply vessel (PSV) to support activities in the US offshore energy industry.
The work to convert the former PSV C-Challenger into what Space Perspective classifies as a marine spaceport was undertaken at Conrad Shipyard in Louisiana. The vessel will be homeported in Florida and its operations will be supported by Guice Offshore with certification by the American Bureau of Shipping.
The modifications to the vessel include retrofitting of the propulsion system to enable the use of low-carbon biofuel and installation of a custom-built A-frame for the recovery of crewed capsules upon splashdown.
As a marine spaceport, the vessel can create ideal launch conditions in two ways: by navigating to areas of good weather, which allows for year-round operations within a region, and by moving with the sea breeze, so that there will be no wind blowing across the deck. This enables more frequent launch opportunities, as well as more options for the time of day, including sunrise and sunset nighttime stargazing flights.
