Suitable for launch

The annual global launch services market is worth US$5.7 billion and growing. Reducing launch costs, combined with the rising demand for space-enabled services, are driving the demand for rocket launches and creating opportunities to launch, operate, manufacture, test and develop launch supply chains.

Image courtesy of Rocket Technologies International

In Queensland, Black Sky Aerospace, Gilmour Space  and Hypersonix are developing affordable access to space for small- and medium-sized payloads.

Launching from Queensland

There are a number of technical considerations to identifying a suitable launch location.

Queensland is the only state on Australia’s eastern seaboard with direct access to equatorial orbits. Ideal latitude, clear skies and open waters to the east means that Queensland can launch larger payloads, and into more orbits, than any other place in Australia.

Queensland’s coastline is comparable and at better latitudes to Cape Canaveral, Florida, which hosts the Kennedy Space Centre; one of the world’s busiest launch sites.

Opportunity for launch

Queensland’s geographical attributes, skilled workforce and innovative industry position the state to expand its place in the world’s growing launch supply chain.

Some opportunities to support the development of Queensland’s launch industry include:

1. National support and leadership – launch is a national capability that supports the growth in Australia’s space industry and sovereign capability. A national approach to capability development is key to optimising these benefits.
2. Support for enabling infrastructure – development of enabling infrastructure to test launch vehicles, components and payloads will strengthen Queensland and Australia’s launch supply chain. Key considerations are a static test site and an orbital launch facility in proximity to launch vehicle developers.
3. A versatile launch site – that can launch to multiple orbits and cater for multiple users. A Queensland launch facility would bolster national capability, providing the Southern Hemisphere with a launch location accessible to international markets.