Palau Could Become World’s 13th Rocket Launch Nation, Entrepreneur Tells Students

By: Laurel Marewibuel KOROR, Palau — A New York-born engineer and four-time founder is urging Palau to pursue an unprecedented economic transformation: becoming the world’s 13th country capable of launching rockets into space. Eric Adolphe, founder of Forward Edge-AI, said the proposal is advancing through the Palau Senate, with a public hearing expected in October. He outlined the vision to students and educators during Pacific 100, an Island Life Systems Forum convened by APAC 2 IMPACT as an official side event of the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Koror. Geography and stability make Palau unique Adolphe said only 12 countries currently possess the ability to launch rockets. He argued Palau’s location near the equator and its stable government make it uniquely suited to join that group. “Palau is in a unique position. You’re close to the equator.

The closer you are to the equator, the more efficient it is to launch. You can reduce the cost,” Adolphe said. He noted that rockets typically launch west to east to take advantage of the Earth’s rotation, and east of Palau lies only the open ocean. “It’s going over the open ocean. There’s nothing on the ground that requires protection, for insurance and that kind of thing,” he said. Adolphe also pointed to political stability as a key advantage. “If you look across the equator, a lot of the countries that could potentially launch rockets, their governments are unstable, so nobody will launch there. You’ve got a stable government. Palau is very unique,” he said. Economic impact could exceed tourism Adolphe estimated a spaceport could generate about $1. 7 billion annually for Palau, surpassing the nation’s current gross domestic product of roughly $240 million to $300 million. He said even two or three launches…