Equatorial Launch Australia, currently constructing the Arnhem Space Centre near Nhulunbuy Northern Territory, are working with twenty-seven personnel from NASA to prepare the site for the historic launch of three sounding rockets mid 2022. The rockets will carry scientific instruments into space to conduct research and provide scientists with the opportunity to observe objects that cannot be seen from rocket ranges in the Northern Hemisphere.
“It’s another strong signal that Australia is open for launch business, which will rocket Australia’s economy forward and inspire generations of young Australians to dream big and study hard.”
Enrico Palermo, Head of the Australian Space Agency
It is anticipated up to eighty NASA personnel will be in Nhulunbuy for the 2022 launch campaign. This will be the first time NASA will lift-off from a commercial launch facility outside of the USA.
The Territory Government is co-investing in Equatorial Launch Australia to support the rapid development of the Arnhem Space Centre to accelerate the Territory’s space industry and drive new investment. The Australian launch market is estimated to be worth $1.2 billion over the next decade and the Australian Space Agency expects 20,000 new jobs in the Australian space industry to be created by 2030.