Evaluation of Spaceport Site Selection Criteria Based on Hesitant Z-Fuzzy Linguistic Terms: A Case for Türkiye

Abstract

The location of the spaceport is a significant factor in increasing the success of operations and reducing costs. To choose a suitable site, critical features need to be defined and evaluated. In this context, critical criteria have been collected and prioritized to determine the location of Türkiye’s spaceport. As space technologies are a new subject in Türkiye, expert evaluations include some uncertainty. To overcome this problem, a hybrid methodology based on hesitant fuzzy set theory has been developed by integrating two fuzzy multicriteria decision-making methods. By using hesitant fuzzy Z-DEMATEL, the relationships between the criteria were revealed, and the weights of the criteria were calculated by hesitant fuzzy Z-cognitive mapping method. According to the results, the most important main criteria are technical requirements, infrastructure, and cost and economy, while the most important sub-criteria are technical factors, flight safety/cruise route, and main/supporting infrastructure. To show the validity of the proposed methodology, the spherical fuzzy AHP method was employed for the same case. The comparative analysis has determined the same criteria as significant with the proposed methodology. The research would help policymakers and businesses better understand the critical criteria to spaceport site selection to catch the space race worldwide.