Image courtesy Virgin Orbit
Small-satellite launcher Virgin Orbit has announced Wagner Corporation’s Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport as the location for its next satellite launch site and spaceport.
The Queensland city will become just the third location worldwide, after Cornwall in the UK and California in the United States, to host Virgin Orbit, which uses a rocket launched from a 747 aircraft to boost satellites into space for climate monitoring, telecommunications services, asset tracking and other commercial activities.
Wagner Corporation has signed an MOU with Virgin Orbit for a 2024 launch demonstration, with permanent horizontal launch site to follow within three years.
Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport was chosen for its ideal location for satellite launches and its ability to be a catalyst for growth in the Australian small satellite market.
It will also provide the Australian defence industry and government with a proven national launch capability.
“Plans for a pilot orbital flight of Virgin Orbits Launcher One from Wellcamp Airport within 18 months is exciting news indeed,” said Queensland Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk.
“My government is committed to working with both companies in their bid to certify Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport as a national spaceport for the orbital launch demonstration.
The Premier added that the Virgin Orbit agreement is the culmination of 12 months of hard work behind the scenes.
Part of the apron area of Wagner Corporation’s Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport.
“Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport and Business Park is on track to becoming one of the most sustainable carbon neutral destinations internationally with Virgin Orbit to join Boeing and other international companies as part of Wellcamp’s new world class, Aerospace and Defence Precinct and Campus, with stage one due for completion by the end of 2024,” said Wagner Corporation Chairman, John Wagner.
“We’re thrilled to be working alongside Wagner Corporation, one of the region’s most successful privately-owned companies, to bring the first national orbital launch to Australia,” said Virgin Orbit CEO, Dan Hart.
“Combining their deep knowledge of infrastructure development and affinity for aerospace with our proven, responsive LauncherOne system, we have all the ingredients to bring spaceflight to Queensland.”
The next step for the companies will be to begin discussions with the Australian Space Agency on facility licensing requirements.
Research will also be undertaken by Wagner Corporation, including environmental analysis and identification of associated infrastructure that can be sourced locally, while Virgin will explore optimal flight paths from Toowoomba for the aircraft and satellites.
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