NASA set for 3 rocket launches in space agency's 1st blastoff from overseas commercial site

By Jeyhun Aliyev

ANKARA (AA) - NASA is preparing to blast off three sub-orbital sounding rockets from Australian soil later this month and in July in what will be the first NASA launch from a commercial facility outside the US.

Set to take place at the Arnhem Space Centre in the Northern Territory, the spacecraft liftoff will also be the first from Australia since a launch from the Royal Australian Air Force Woomera Range Complex in 1995.

The research rocket launches between June 26 and July 12 expected to be a "history-making moment for the local space sector," according to the Australian government.

"This project will bring together global and local industry to take Australia's space sector into a new era," Australia-based 9 News quoted Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as saying.

Australia's space industry dates to the 1950s, and includes contributions to the work on the first Moon landing in 1969.

Meanwhile, Northern Territory Chief Minister Natasha Fyles described the launches "a landmark occasion for the Top End," another name for the Northern Territory.

"We have backed this project from inception, which I have seen firsthand, and now we're less than a month away from seeing the launch of NASA's first sounding rocket from the Arnhem Space Centre," Fyles added.

Ed Husic, who was recently sworn in as Australia's new industry and science minister, becoming the first Muslim member of Cabinet, hailed the depth of collaboration on the project with the US.

"Space strengthens our economy -- including in regional areas -- and creates jobs across a diverse range of skillsets," said Husic.

Around 75 NASA personnel are set to be in Australia for the sub-orbital sounding rocket launches.

On Sept. 24 last year, 27 NASA personnel involved in the project were released from mandatory quarantine at the Centre for National Resilience in Howard Springs.