Space flight with rockoon direct from La Gomera soon

The 'rockoon', a word derived from rocket + balloon (this image and video below: b2space.com)

When I first heard about the planned launch of a rockoon (a huge balloon with a rocket attached to it) to take place in the harbour of Valle Gran Rey, La Gomera, I thought it was yet another funny tall tale or false rumour doing the rounds. But what sounds like something that I might have dreamed up for my popular annual April Fool's Day posts is in fact true and about to happen in the middle of this month.

The company behind the venture with the slogan ''taking your business to space'' is B2Space Ltd. It was founded 2016 in the UK and later expanded to Spain with the ''purpose to provide a reliable, flexible and low cost access to Low Earth Orbit for small and micro satellites'' and ''High Altitude Operations and Near Space Testing''. The idea is that a stratospheric globe carries the rocket up close to the earth's atmosphere before its ignition to leave same for space, saving lots of fuel.

Vueltas harbour (Google maps)

The next launch, planned for a ''window of opportunity between November 16th and 23rd 2025'', will be from the harbour of Vueltas in La Gomera, selected as the ideal site because of its remoteness and safety, plus I'd say the predominantly favourable weather played a role , too. According to the local press  ''this maritime environment allows to meet security requirements and obtain the necessary licenses''. Could Valle Gran Rey's little-used harbour now transition to a spaceport ? There's a couple of acres of vacant space available. Before launch, on November 14th, the company will present the system, the associated planned activities, and further details in the harbour of Valle Gran Rey. 

The presentation will take place in the terminal building (Estacion Maritima) in the outer harbour at 11:30am and is open to to the public. The launch of the rockoon is planned for Sunday Nov. 16th, if conditions are favourable. Be there to see it all, or if you fancy hitching a ride. A few space babies and space cadets in La Gomera might feel tempted to stow away and go higher. Rock on, rock-oon, next to the moon ! 

Seriously though, the above is true and the company's video below shows how they intend to do it: