Portugal has granted a license to operate its first-ever spaceport in the Azores, specifically on the island of Santa Maria, marking a significant step in its space ambitions. The license was awarded to the Atlantic Spaceport Consortium (ASC) for a five-year period, allowing the development of a launch center in Malbusca. This facility aims to facilitate suborbital flights as early as 2026 and supports infrastructure for the European Space Agency's Space Rider, Europe's first reusable spacecraft, with a demonstration planned for 2027. The Azores' strategic Atlantic location offers advantages such as low traffic, extensive safety zones, and attractive orbital trajectories, positioning Portugal as a key player in Europe's space industry and reducing reliance on non-European launch sites. The move aligns with Portugal's national space strategy, Portugal Space 2030, and enhances European access to space. The Azores could become a vital hub for orbital and suborbital missions, fostering technological development, international partnerships, and a competitive aerospace industry, transforming the archipelago into a critical asset in Europe's space race.