Arnhem Space Centre ready to host more rocket launches into orbit

NT locals might be waiting a while for another space launch from the now famous Arnhem Space Centre. Find out why.

THE third and final rocket launch from the Arnhem Space Centre on Monday night was deemed a huge success for the region and Australian space industry.

And now all eyes are on the site for future launches.

After an initial five-minute delay, the rocket was sent into space at 8.31pm ACST Monday, with the livestream commentated by an enthusiastic astrophysicist and cosmologist Dr Brad Tucker from Canberra.

“These missions with NASA have been an incredible chance to prove the capabilities of our team and facility and we are looking forward to welcoming more partners to the site,” Equatorial Launch Australia chief executive Michael Jones said.

“We are really proud to have achieved a very rare feat - three successful launches in just 15 days — even more so given the challenging wind conditions.”

Michael Jones, Executive Chairman and Group CEO. Picture: ELA

Mr Jones said there would be “no rest for the wicked” following the launch in Nhulunbuy, with a busy schedule of events ahead for the organisation, including trying to secure other rocket companies to the site.

“We obviously as a commercial entity want to have more customerssowe’re furthering our discussions with all the rocket companies from around the world to try and get them to come to Nhulunbuy,” Mr Jones said.

Pictures from the third space launch at Arnhem Space Centre on July 11. Picture: YouTube

He said the Arnhem Space Centre was in an advantageous position geographically, to allow for faster and more economical launches, and expected the majority of future missions from the site to be “putting payloads around the orbit”.

“Equatorial launch gives you a massive advantage in the orbits you can obtain by being close to the equator,” he said.

“The benefits as far as space dynamics are concerned are massive.”

However the companies were hitting a snag when it came to securing permits to launch from government agencies.

“The regulatory environment is just so challenging — I’m advocating for an increase in safety and less bureaucracy in doing it,” Mr Jones said.

“We already know there are companies saying it’s taking too long and that’s a frustration for me personally.”

“We bring credibility to the argument and now I’m challenging the space agency to walk the walk and start supporting the Australian space industry,” he said.

Mr Jones said he was hopeful another launch would be possible towards the end of next year, and was excited to work with locals and Traditional Owners in the region again.

“I can’t tell you how nice it was when we’d go into town,” he said.

“People were so nice, saying good luck... this is great — everyone was really behind it.”