Queensland is seeking to host a new space launch facility at Abbot Point near Mackay.
Minister for State Development, Steven Miles said the Queensland had plenty of home-grown advantages that would qualify it for the emerging space industry.
“Growing our space industry in Queensland will add billions to the economy and create thousands of local jobs,” Dr Miles said.
“That’s why we are committed the development of launch infrastructure,” he said.
“Our easterly facing position, proximity to the equator, and our leading launch and propulsion companies make Queensland the perfect place to invest in space.”
He said the technical and environmental investigation into the opportunity to launch space rockets from Abbot Point had found it suitable for small-scale launch vehicles.
In addition, a company, Gilmour Space Technologies, had expressed interest.
“We are keen to work with the team at Gilmour and local stakeholders,” Dr Miles said.
“A facility like this would launch Queensland’s economic recovery into orbit.”
He said other potential launch sites in Queensland would also be considered.
“Having multiple launch facilities would be a huge drawcard for Queensland, which would undoubtedly bring more global players and jobs to the State,” the Minister said.
Queensland’s Strategic Defence Advisor for Aerospace, former Air Vice-Marshal Neil Hart said launch facilities were one of the foundational elements of developing a true sovereign space capability.
“There is considerable interest in leveraging the geographic advantage of an east coast launch from low latitudes,” Mr Hart said.
“Identifying a site along the Queensland coast with the potential to launch multiple and large payloads to a range of nationally significant orbits would be a significant contribution to Australia’s growing space capabilities.”
