SpaceX is reportedly discussing the possibility of conducting Starship rocket tests with officials in Australia. The news broke right before the United States signed a $ 1 billion bilateral agreement with the Australian Space Agency.
The Technology Safeguards Agreement ensures that US technology launched in Australia remains protected and under US control. Australia’s Joint Standing Committee on Treaties approved the agreement this month, citing that it “would benefit the Australian space sector and provide opportunities for Australian companies.”
A spokesperson for the Australia Space Agency already confirmed that it is ending in talks with domestic and international companies to export new opportunities from the Technology Safeguards Agreement.
“It’s estimated, with the agreement in place, spacecraft operators could supply up to 100 space launches over the next decade with a benefit to the Australian economy of $1 billion,” said the spokesperson.
The United States’ bilateral agreement with the Australian Space Agency might pave the way for SpaceX to conduct Starship tests down under. Reuters sources shared that SpaceX seeks to land and recover Starship rockets off the Australian coast.
Prior to the agreement’s approval, SpaceX was already discussing opportunities for Starship in Australia. The space company plans to launch Starship from its facility in Texas and land it on the Australian coast. SpaceX would then recover the rocket on Australian territory.
The United States would have needed to loosen export controls on sophisticated space technologies for SpaceX to proceed with its Starship launches down under. The bilateral agreement between the US and Australia might have solved security concerns or issues over SpaceX’s new Starship plans.
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