Equatorial Launch Australia boss flags $100m space development in Nhulunbuy

The Territory’s space company is planning a $100m upgrade in Nhulunbuy but has slammed a lack of federal government funding as disturbing. See the concept designs here.

Approaching the first anniversary of Arnhem Space Centre’s inaugural launch, up to $100m in infrastructure spending is planned at the centre over the next few years.

With a second customer not scheduled until at least April next year, Arnhem Space Centre operator Equatorial Launch Australia is using the break to roll out infrastructure as part of project stages 2a and 2b.

World leaders in private sector space porting, ELA chief executive Michael Jones said the works and additional launch pads would increase the space centre’s capacity to launch 2000kg payload rockets, compared to the 300kg units NASA launched last year.

By way of comparison, SpaceX rockets have a 25,000kg payload.

The proposed administration area at Arnhem Space Centre.

The company is preparing to submit its license upgrade to cater for bigger rockets as well as seeking zoning changes with the Gumatj Corporation from a mining to a regular lease.

High on ELA’s priority list is a horizontal integration facility where rockets are assembled in a sterile environment free from contamination before launch.

In addition, up to another 14 pads will be constructed over both stages adjacent to the existing three pads used for last year’s launches.

A new radar tracking and telemetry station is planned as are multiple radars with varying bands and power, a fuel farm, 20-tonne gantry crane, a man-made lake for in-house water supplies and a water tower for water pressure at the site.

An aerial image of how the Arnhem Space Centre may eventually look.

Mr Jones said the works would be done over two phases and bankrolled by income from previous launches, debt and equity raises.

In April, the company announced it was in negotiations with United States rocket maker Phantom to launch their rockets from 2025.

The company has also signed a consultation agreement with United States-based space logistics company Jacobs, the main contractor for Kennedy Space Centre and NASA, for support with construction, maintenance and operations.

“There’s not a lot of experienced space guys in Australia and ELA wanted an independent view so the vision of Michael Jones wasn’t a sample of one,” Mr Jones said.

“We’re working our butts off and trying to get as much done as we can and it’s a nice problem trying to sequence what work we do in the Dry and Wet.”

Equatorial Launch Australia's executive chairman and chief executive Michael Jones. Picture: Kelly Barnes

Launches the company had hoped to make late last year never went ahead, which created the opportunity to step up with the works.

The company has about 30 employees as well as 13 full-time contractors.

Mr Jones said the blue sky optimism that had driven growth in the Australian space industry in recent years was smashed in this year’s federal budget.

“This federal government has provided us with zero support and the most recent budget cancelled $30m of support,” Mr Jones said.

“I’m going to change our company motto to ‘we will be successful despite you’.

“I’m really disturbed the federal government doesn’t even appear to be able to spell space. They have abandoned the space program and we’re entering a valley of death for space and only a few companies will survive.

“There was an expectation there would be a stimulus package, but instead they cut the guts out of the space agency.”

The federal government has been contacted for comment.

Originally published as Equatorial Launch Australia boss flags $100m space development in Nhulunbuy