Space News by Jeff Foust October 27, 2023
The governments of Australia and the United States have signed an agreement that could allow American rockets to launch from Australian spaceports, although it is unclear how much demand there is for them.
The U.S. State Department announced Oct. 26 that the two countries signed a technology safeguards agreement (TSA) regarding space launches from Australia. The agreement provides the “legal and technical framework” for American launches from Australian facilities while protecting sensitive technologies.
The TSA is required to allow the export of U.S.-built launch vehicles to Australia. Industry officials in Australia said the agreement will allow spaceport projects there to sign long-awaited deals to host launches by American companies.
“We hear regularly from both the U.S. government and industry of their demand for this capability in Australia,” said Jeremy Hallett, executive chairman of the Space Industry Association of Australia, in a statement. “This agreement removes the blockage stopping this demand being met by Australian space industry and we look forward to the new business opportunities that will emerge for the industry.”
Spaceport projects in Australia include the Arnhem Space Centre in the Northern Territory, being developed by Equatorial Launch Australia (ELA), as well as the Whaler’s Way Orbital Launch Complex and Koonibba Test Range in South Australia by Southern Launch.
More:
https://spacenews.com/new-agreement-enables-u-s-launches-from-australian-spaceports/
