CANCELLED??: LauncherOne - Toowoomba - 2024

[Steven Pietrobon]

Virgin Orbit is heading to Australia!

https://www.spaceconnectonline.com.au/launch/5617-toowoomba-to-host-virgin-orbit-launch-site

"Toowoomba to host Virgin Orbit launch site
Liam McAneny
20 September 2022

Australia will become the third country to host a Virgin Orbit launch site and spaceport after the company announced its plans to launch from Toowoomba Airport in 2024."

Toowoomba is located on the east coast of Australia, at 27°34′S 151°57′E.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toowoomba

See also the Virgin Orbit press release at

https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=51745.msg2410038#msg2410038

[Welsh Dragon]

I guess their business strategy is to have governments pay them for the bragging rights of having a launch "from their territory". Even though it'll be out in international waters, and there is absolutely no reason to launch from the UK or Australia. It's really quite a clever business model from Virgin in the short term, but I don't see how that'll work long term.

[edzieba]

I guess their business strategy is to have governments pay them for the bragging rights of having a launch "from their territory". Even though it'll be out in international waters, and there is absolutely no reason to launch from the UK or Australia. It's really quite a clever business model from Virgin in the short term, but I don't see how that'll work long term.

It's not so much about launching "from their territory", but more that their hardware does not need to be shipped to or launched from anyone else's territory (and thus are not directly beholden to their particular laws).

[trimeta]

I guess their business strategy is to have governments pay them for the bragging rights of having a launch "from their territory". Even though it'll be out in international waters, and there is absolutely no reason to launch from the UK or Australia. It's really quite a clever business model from Virgin in the short term, but I don't see how that'll work long term.

It's not so much about launching "from their territory", but more that their hardware does not need to be shipped to or launched from anyone else's territory (and thus are not directly beholden to their particular laws).

Since Virgin Orbit is legally a US-based launch provider, aren't their payloads still subject to US law when launching from other countries? Same as how Rocket Lab launches are subject to US law, not (just) New Zealand.

[CameronD]

Since Virgin Orbit is legally a US-based launch provider, aren't their payloads still subject to US law when launching from other countries? Same as how Rocket Lab launches are subject to US law, not (just) New Zealand.

Well.. they'll need to get a Launch Permit from the Australian Space Agency for starters.  That permit would most likely encompass all they need to do under existing agreements between the US and Australia and could take anything from 2 months to 2 years to get.

Second, they'll need to find a payload to launch.  Since there's currently no market for launching anything from the middle of Australia (meaning a several-hour flight north or south to get to an appropriate launch area), it'll be most interesting to see what they start with.
 

[Vahe231991]

The latest regarding the Toowoomba spaceport (from April):
https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/development/toowoomba-wellcamp-spaceport-proposal-future-unclear-after-virgin-orbit-bankruptcy/news-story/80252c4853c24c557e3d8f6379ca3b50

Moderator edit: This article is behind a paywall. It is requires that the visitor submit payment to a subscription paywall service to gain access. Poster please remember to state if article a paywalled if not free to access.

[CameronD]

The latest regarding the Toowoomba spaceport (from April):
https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/development/toowoomba-wellcamp-spaceport-proposal-future-unclear-after-virgin-orbit-bankruptcy/news-story/80252c4853c24c557e3d8f6379ca3b50

Paywalled.  I could guess, but would you mind enlightening us??

[trimeta]

The latest regarding the Toowoomba spaceport (from April):
https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/development/toowoomba-wellcamp-spaceport-proposal-future-unclear-after-virgin-orbit-bankruptcy/news-story/80252c4853c24c557e3d8f6379ca3b50

Paywalled.  I could guess, but would you mind enlightening us??

Perhaps related to this article (about Australia cutting its budget for spaceports, including Toowoomba)?

https://www.smh.com.au/national/plan-for-australian-spaceports-axed-as-federal-budget-cuts-run-deep-20230510-p5d7do.html