While performing my "day job" in Kenya today I happened unexpectedly across a space artifact in Africa, specifically off the African coast near Malindi, Kenya. While I knew that Malindi was home to an equatorial tracking station frequently used by Ariane launches. I also knew it had another space related connection but couldn't put my finger on it. As I flew northward along the coast from the city, spotting the cluster of small platforms just offshore spurred my memory. So with a little deviation from course, these aerial pictures from today of the currently inactive San Marco offshore launch center, the world's first maritime space base, active decades before Sea Launch or ASDSes were even a dream. Its a little worse for wear, but there is still at least caretaker activity aboard.
I've shot space sites across the US but it was an unexpected pleasure to shoot one on the other side of the world. Also fun to fly and shoot at the same time!
Wikipedia link for background:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broglio_Space_Centre
Nice shots! Was talking to a group last week about potential launch sites around the world (specifically addressing microlaunch concepts), and I'd mentioned San Marcos from the past, but had no idea its status, so your picture is quite timely.
There are several vehicles that could make use of it, including European, Russian, American ones to begin with (there are some stirrings from a few nearby countries on the other side of the horn.
Be careful in setting down in that part of the world, those Somali pirates are tough customers.
Although inactive, I think it is maintained. Otherwise, it would be all rust and looted by now.
Several years ago I attended an event at the Italian embassy in Washington where somebody gave a presentation about their recent visit to that facility. They had indoor photos as well, and the lights were on. So it had power.
Wow, these are great. Anyway I can contact you and get higher resolution versions of these. (I am working on a small project on the history of these platforms)?
Asif Siddiqi
In case people are wondering about the scale, it appears this was based on a platform that was 300 feet long by 90 feet wide with a 13 foot hull depth, supported by 20 pylons each 6 feet in diameter and 100 feet long.
(Ref. pp 20-22. of this document:
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19720007316.pdf. Also of interest is Figure 14 of the general layout of the platform.)
Although inactive, I think it is maintained. Otherwise, it would be all rust and looted by now.
Several years ago I attended an event at the Italian embassy in Washington where somebody gave a presentation about their recent visit to that facility. They had indoor photos as well, and the lights were on. So it had power.
There are people on it in these pictures. They appear to be operating a crane of some sort.
(I am working on a small project on the history of these platforms)?
very interesting Asif! should you ever need help with translating from Italian just let me know
The blue crane is either lifting or lowering a RIB-style boat with a couple of people aboard it.