Rocket launching site selection in Ethiopia using Weight Decision Matrix analysis

Abstract

The term rocket launch site is used in any facility from which rockets are launched and contains one or more launch pads. Development in Space Science and Technology is a critical issue for any country it is a guarantee for security and sustainable development. Research is taking place on sounding rockets, micro, nano and can-type satellite technologies that require huge foreign currencies to launch overseas. The purpose of this research paper is to determine specific rocket launching sites in Ethiopia. The weighted decision matrix is used as a tool to analyze valued criteria and to rank the alternatives. In the first phase, the whole regions are analyzed and three regions are selected, which are located at 6o Latitude North and 41o Longitude East. Similarly, in the second phase, the weighted decision matrix tool is applied to three selected regions at Woreda (Districts) and Kebele (Cluster) level. The selected sites are from Somali Warder Zone, identified as Boh 1 and 2 with a value of 231. In Oromia identified as Borena-1 with a value of 195 and the rest with lower value are rejected. A site map is prepared for the best sites selected. A spaceport is an important source of income for launching companies. There are opportunities of leasing to international launching operators for launching rockets and research rockets. It can also benefit African countries for rocket research related issues since no country in east Africa has their own functional launch site.