September 20, 2022
Virgin Orbit, a US-based company which offers launch services for small satellites, has signed an agreement with Wellcamp Airport to explore a launch facility in Australia.
Virgin Orbit announced on Tuesday it had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Wagner Corporation, which owns and operates Wellcamp Airport.
The aim is to eventually provide satellite launch services from Wellcamp using Virgin Orbit’s LauncherOne System.
LauncherOne is a two-stage, air-launched rocket system designed to carry small satellite payloads into orbit. It is released at high altitude from a modified 747-400.
Virgin Orbit and Wagner Corporation are exploring the potential to certify Wellcamp Airport as a national spaceport to perform an orbital launch demonstration as early as 2024.
Virgin Orbit CEO Dan Hart said he was looking forward to the day soon when satellites would fly to space from Australia.
Wagner Corporation chairman John Wagner said the selection of Wellcamp Airport was “extremely exciting and a further significant boost for Queensland and Australia”.
“Wellcamp Airport and Business Park is on track to becoming one of the most sustainable carbon-neutral destinations internationally,” Mr Wagner said.
“Virgin Orbit will join Boeing and other international companies as part of Wellcamp’s new world-class, Aerospace and Defence Precinct and Campus, with Stage 1 due for completion by the end of 2024.
“Attracting global companies such as Virgin Orbit is recognition of the strategic advantages that Wellcamp Airport and the Aerospace and Defence Precinct offers, and we are looking forward to a long and prosperous relationship.”
