Rockets to be Launched from Woomera
Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2006 1:52 pm
NASA in $272m Woomera deal
MATT WILLIAMS, XANTHE KLEINIG
August 21, 2006 12:15am
Article from: The Advertiser
ROCKETS will be launched from Woomera to the International Space Station within two years, in a major deal announced yesterday by NASA in the United States.
In a boost to South Australia's credentials as the defence state, U.S.-based Rocketplane Kistler secured a $272 million NASA contract to launch rockets from Woomera, carrying cargo to the station.
As well as providing hundred of jobs, the decision also could pave the way for Woomera to become the launch site for the first astronauts to lift-off from Australia.
Kistler is one of two companies – the other being California-based SpaceX – which secured the NASA contract to demonstrate its "commercial orbital transportation services".
Kistler now has scheduled the first launch of its K-1 rocket from Woomera in late 2008.
The company told The Advertiser work on a $100 million launch site at Woomera was expected to start in October. The site should be completed by the end of next year.
After a trial of five launches, NASA is expected to decide around 2009-10 which company is capable of better servicing the space station. It is possible both could be selected, Rocketplane Kistler said.
If successful, the Woomera site would be used to launch cargo such as fuel and food to the station as often as every two weeks.
As NASA requires the K-1 to have crew transportation capabilities, however, the Woomera site could see the first astronauts leave from Australia.
NASA plans to retire its space shuttle fleet in 2010.
The Woomera site also could be used to transport satellites into space for major telecommunications companies and defence organisations.
Kistler Woomera chairman Alan Evans said the contract meant "hundreds of jobs" would be created within the aerospace industry in SA.
"The jobs will be within the high-level end of the spectrum of the space industry, which is great news for the state," he said.
"Once in full operation (providing we are successful), the launches would happen at least once a fortnight and they are all spectacular. You would expect the local and Australian tourism industry would develop as a result of this because thousands of people visit Cape Canaveral just to see their launches."
The K-1 launch vehicle is designed to be re-used 100 times. It is powered by liquid-propellant engines and lands back on Earth with the help of parachutes and airbags.
The concept to launch rockets to the space station from Woomera was conceived by Rocketplane Kistler in 1994.
It has been awaiting NASA approval.
"Woomera was chosen because it can be used for polar and equatorial launches and because of its clean land areas," Mr Evans said. "Kistler has already spent US$700 million developing this idea."
Rocketplane Kistler chief executive George French the company was grateful for the chance to demonstrate its capabilities.
Company president Randy Brinkley, who is a former NASA manager for the space station program, said the commercialisation of ISS servicing was a step to maintaining the program and achieving NASA's broader goals.
"We are committed to providing end-to-end services for NASA and the ISS," he said.
MATT WILLIAMS, XANTHE KLEINIG
August 21, 2006 12:15am
Article from: The Advertiser
ROCKETS will be launched from Woomera to the International Space Station within two years, in a major deal announced yesterday by NASA in the United States.
In a boost to South Australia's credentials as the defence state, U.S.-based Rocketplane Kistler secured a $272 million NASA contract to launch rockets from Woomera, carrying cargo to the station.
As well as providing hundred of jobs, the decision also could pave the way for Woomera to become the launch site for the first astronauts to lift-off from Australia.
Kistler is one of two companies – the other being California-based SpaceX – which secured the NASA contract to demonstrate its "commercial orbital transportation services".
Kistler now has scheduled the first launch of its K-1 rocket from Woomera in late 2008.
The company told The Advertiser work on a $100 million launch site at Woomera was expected to start in October. The site should be completed by the end of next year.
After a trial of five launches, NASA is expected to decide around 2009-10 which company is capable of better servicing the space station. It is possible both could be selected, Rocketplane Kistler said.
If successful, the Woomera site would be used to launch cargo such as fuel and food to the station as often as every two weeks.
As NASA requires the K-1 to have crew transportation capabilities, however, the Woomera site could see the first astronauts leave from Australia.
NASA plans to retire its space shuttle fleet in 2010.
The Woomera site also could be used to transport satellites into space for major telecommunications companies and defence organisations.
Kistler Woomera chairman Alan Evans said the contract meant "hundreds of jobs" would be created within the aerospace industry in SA.
"The jobs will be within the high-level end of the spectrum of the space industry, which is great news for the state," he said.
"Once in full operation (providing we are successful), the launches would happen at least once a fortnight and they are all spectacular. You would expect the local and Australian tourism industry would develop as a result of this because thousands of people visit Cape Canaveral just to see their launches."
The K-1 launch vehicle is designed to be re-used 100 times. It is powered by liquid-propellant engines and lands back on Earth with the help of parachutes and airbags.
The concept to launch rockets to the space station from Woomera was conceived by Rocketplane Kistler in 1994.
It has been awaiting NASA approval.
"Woomera was chosen because it can be used for polar and equatorial launches and because of its clean land areas," Mr Evans said. "Kistler has already spent US$700 million developing this idea."
Rocketplane Kistler chief executive George French the company was grateful for the chance to demonstrate its capabilities.
Company president Randy Brinkley, who is a former NASA manager for the space station program, said the commercialisation of ISS servicing was a step to maintaining the program and achieving NASA's broader goals.
"We are committed to providing end-to-end services for NASA and the ISS," he said.