Blast off ... Rockets will be launched from Woomera to the International Space Station within two years, NASA has said. Rocketplane Kistler will start work on a South Australian launch pad for its K-1 rocket in October. Artist's impression from Rocketplane Kistler

NASA space launch for Woomera

By Matt Williams and Xanthe Kleinig

August 21, 2006 01:00am

ROCKETS will be launched from Woomera in South Australia 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 Australia's defence state, US-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.

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Rocket town ready to take off again

BY Xanthe Kleinig

August 21, 2006 12:00am

THE Outback town named for an Aboriginal spear-throwing tool when established to host the British rocket program in the 1950s, residents hope the plan to supply the International Space Station from the South Australian desert will bring back its glory days.

In those times, Woomera had about 5000 inhabitants, but its population is now only about 200.

At the Eldo Hotel, Trudy Vanderlaan, 30, described the news as "huge".

"It has the potential to turn this town back into what it was," she said.

After moving to the town "for a break" three years ago, falling in love and starting a family, she is looking forward to building a prosperous life as a predicted 200 new jobs become available.

"More of a population would be great. It would be unbelievable," she said.

"We will all stay here longer. There will be more children and more families and more for them (the children) to do."

BHP's expansion at Roxby Downs is already having an impact, with the Woomera playgroup re-starting four weeks ago. Numbers at the school have almost doubled in the past 12 months.

Electronics technician Peter Rocco, 41, said Woomera would "show its colours again". "There was always the potential for this town to kick off," he said.

"All it needs is something to happen. It's been up and down since its original history of rocket launching." Bar manager Daniel Young, 23, says the town has had a quiet patch since the immigration detention centre closed three years ago.

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