A commentary by our author Klaus Bastian:
The Junge Union Brandenburg wants to have the feasibility of a spaceport in the Prignitz region examined. This sounds like the future, technology, and a spirit of progress. Above all, however, the proposal reveals a remarkable understanding of political work. Brandenburg is located deep inland within Europe; suitable safety corridors for rocket launches are lacking; and even the German Aerospace Center (DLR)—Germany’s central research institution for aeronautics and space—ruled out vertical rocket launches at the much more suitable site of Rostock-Laage. All of this could be determined with relatively little effort. Yet the political demand comes first, followed only later by an assessment of whether the fundamental prerequisites are even met.
Call for a spaceport – apparently, the groundwork can come later
Politics needs ideas—even unconventional ones. Yet, between a spontaneous idea and a formal political proposal, there ought to be something that was once taken for granted: preparatory work. Anyone calling for a rocket launch site could first clarify where the rockets are intended to fly, where stages would land, what safety zones are required, and which countries lie beneath potential flight paths. One does not need a degree in aerospace engineering for that; a few hours of serious research would have sufficed to realize that a spaceport in the middle of the Brandenburg hinterland presents significant problems.
Image: Shutterstock
In the past, a politician would likely have been embarrassed to go public with a major demand only to check afterwards whether it was actually feasible. Today, however, this exact sequence seems to be becoming the norm. First, a vision—designed to be as spectacular as possible—is presented. Only then are experts allowed to explain whether geography, physics, and safety requirements actually align with the plan. Ideas that might once have been shelved as hare-brained schemes after a brief technical review now make their way into political debate and subsequently into the press as supposed projects of the future. Consequently, a poorly prepared proposal garners public attention it likely never would have achieved had the groundwork been done carefully. Yet, political competence is not demonstrated by making demands with great self-assurance; it begins with knowing what you are talking about.
There is no shortage of self-assurance—but the necessary knowledge is evidently in shorter supply
Yet the crucial information has long been available. The German Aerospace Center (DLR) examined Rostock-Laage as a potential spaceport site. That location already possesses aviation infrastructure and is situated much closer to the sea than the Prignitz region. Even so, vertical rocket launches were not considered a viable option there. An “air launch” appeared more promising: an aircraft carries the rocket to a suitable area over the sea before releasing and launching it. Given the difficulties involved on the Baltic coast, one might have asked—before making a political push—why the concept would suddenly work better deep inland.
Air safety, too, is not merely a detail to be addressed later in a feasibility study. Rockets require large safety corridors. Detached stages and potential debris must be taken into account. Airspace must be closed off and traffic flows rerouted. EUROCONTROL has even established a dedicated “Space Desk” to handle such operations. A launch from the Prignitz region heading east would pass over German territory and continue toward Poland; to the north, there is no immediate access to open sea either. Then there is the matter of latitude: for eastward launches, Brandenburg offers significantly less assistance from the Earth’s rotation than sites closer to the equator, such as Kourou. These are not surprising findings from a highly complex study; they are fundamental questions that ought to be on the table before a political proposal is put forward.
What becomes of a country destined to be governed by politicians like this?
That is precisely why this episode is more than just a curious tale about a spaceport in Brandenburg. The Junge Union sees itself as a training ground for the next generation of politicians; its ranks are meant to produce future MPs, state secretaries, ministers, and other decision-makers. One would expect them to strike at least a reasonable balance between self-confidence and substantive preparation. Instead, we are presented with a political mindset where an idea is deemed visionary simply because it sounds grand. The necessary expertise is acquired only later—via consultants, government agencies, and specialists tasked with explaining whether the proposal has any basis in reality.
This should give us more pause for thought than the rocket launchpad itself. A country needs politicians capable of making decisions. That process begins with acquiring knowledge, identifying obvious objections, and evaluating alternatives. Brandenburg could certainly be a serious hub for the space industry; areas such as satellite manufacturing, research, software development, component production, or mission control could all be examined on their merits. Instead, a barely vetted rocket concept generates political attention and headlines. What would once have been an embarrassing sign of poor preparation is now marketed—with astonishing confidence—as a forward-looking policy. Yet self-assurance devoid of knowledge is not a political strength; it is merely cluelessness presented with great conviction.
Author: Klaus Bastian – Blackout News
Sources: Berliner Zeitung (11.08.26) – DLR Portal (16.09.20) – Eurocontrol (26.05.26) – ESA (Stand: 11.08.26) – Andoya Space (Stand: 11.08.26)