In a matter of months (if the deadlines are met) Europe will launch a brand new astropuertoa facility designed to accommodate stratospheric flight aircraft. The curious thing is not the complex itself, which can be used to work with airships capable of flying at 20,000 m altitude. Not even the enormous size of its hangar and ship. What is striking is that this astropuerto It will not be in any of the metropolises or industrial centers of Europe, but in Teruel.
And it is already taking shape.
From Teruel to the stratosphere. Although half the planet is awaiting the Artemis II mission and its pioneering flight over the far side of the Moon, in Aragon the NASA program is sharing headlines with another significant aerospace adventure: the construction of the astropuerto of Teruel, a complex designed for operations with the stratosphere. Its works started a little over a year ago, in March 2025, but the installation has been in the news again these days due to a visit by the acting Minister of Development of Aragon, Octavio López.
Clearing the calendar. López’s was not just a formal act. During the meeting, the project schedule was cleared: the idea is that the work will be ready before the end of this year and the installation can be launched (after some procedures still pending) throughout 2027.
“The works are going smoothly and on schedule, as can be seen. Everything suggests that in the last quarter of 2026 the tender can be launched so that the aerospace complex can be operational and active in the first quarter of 2027,” celebrated the Aragonese counselor. And as a picture always says more than a thousand words, the announcement was accompanied by photographs in which you can see how the metal skeleton of the complex is already silhouetted on the horizon.
“Singular and unique”. There are many aeronautical facilities, but the Aragonese Government insists that this one in particular will be “singular and unique in Europe.” The complex will provide the Teruel airport with capacity for stratospheric aircraft with HAPS type airships, ships designed to operate at 20,000 meters of altitude. Hence the word ‘astropuerto’ (or ‘stratoport’).
“Teruel is going to be the center of construction, commissioning and assembly, recycling and maintenance of these units that are going to be the reference in Europe,” highlights López, who during his visit to the works was accompanied, among others, by the mayor of Teruel, Emma Buj, and the director of the airport.
Why is it important? Basically because of its scope, pioneering nature and what it means for the entire region. “It will allow the airport to be provided with capacity for stratospheric flight aircraft, obtaining the characteristics of astropuerto for the launch, landing, control, manufacturing and maintenance of spacecraft,” states the communication portal of the Regional Government of Aragon.
It is estimated that around 35 stratospheric airships could be built in its hangar each year. Its use is interesting both for scientific research and for atmospheric observation, monitoring and communications tasks.
And what will it be like? astropuerto? Its measurements are certainly surprising. The hangar and the airship production hall will occupy a total of about 2.66 hectares. Its shape is rectangular and its plan dimensions are around 376.2 X 70.8 m. On the sides it will include offices and assembly and maintenance workshops. “In front of the east façade of the hangar, a platform for an airship is designed with dimensions of 330 x 220 m, another 6.6 hectares more,” the Government states.
Shaping such a titan will require mobilizing tons and tons of materials. Teruel Diary ensures that 2,266 tons of steel and 12,000 bars and balls will be used in the metal structure alone. One of the most impressive pieces will be the hangar door, which will measure 60 x 52 m and will be operated with a folding system. That piece alone will require a million-dollar investment.
Thinking about the future. The first stone of the complex was laid on March 11, 2025, after the works were awarded for 39.8 million (without VAT) to a joint venture formed by Aldesa and Ideconsa. The execution period is 20 months, which would be completed at the end of this year. The Government wants to launch the tender to operate the facilities, thinking as early as 2027.
The idea, remember The Aragon Newspaperis to transfer them for 40 years to the successful bidder, who will have to pay a fee. “Between October or November we will be able to issue the specifications to coincide the end of the construction of the warehouse with the start of the corresponding activity,” acknowledges the counselor.
The aerospace company Sceye has shown its interest in establishing itself at the Teruel airport, but the Aragonese Executive wants the tender to be open, so that any interested company in the world can apply.
Images | Teruel Airport and Government of Aragon
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