French Orbital Rockets to Launch from Australia
French Orbital Rockets to Launch from Australia
Sirius Space Services Signs Agreement with Arnhem Space Center
An agreement has been reached to make Sirius Space Services (Sirius) a 'Resident Launcher' at the Arnhem Space Center spaceport in Australia beginning in 2025, taking up their own Space Launch Complex (SLC) for the term of their contract.
"Our decision to select ELA was driven by their advanced commercial spaceport concept."
François Maroquene-Froissart, Sirius Space Services
The agreement was reached last week during the World Space Business Week conference in Paris, France. The campaign will begin with the development and test flights of SIRIUS 1 in 2026 followed by launches of the larger SIRIUS 13 (800kg or 1,764-pound payload capacity) in 2027.
"Sirius will become the second resident launcher at the Arnhem Space Center which means they will leverage ELA's advanced commercial spaceport concept, and our full suite of launch services," said ELA's CEO Michael Jones.
The flexibility to access a range of orbits, including medium and low inclination, SSO and equatorial, as well as ELA's extensive launch services were key to the decision by Sirius.
"It was key for Sirius to have the ability to access unique orbit options to service their clients and we are probably the only place on the planet that could provide all their requirements," Jones said.
Sirius has selected Space Launch Complex No.3 or 'Le Mans'. The Le Mans SLC will have a dedicated 148' x 85' x 40' high Horizontal Integration Facility (HIF) with ISO 8 vertical payload integration clean room with its own full span, 20T gantry crane. Le Mans SLC also has two ASC Advanced Launch Pads (ASCALP) where one will be fully developed with the ability to accommodate Sirius' three variants of rocket, SIRIUS 1, SIRIUS 13 and, in future, the large 4 booster SIRIUS 15 variant. The other will be part-developed as a back-up.
The agreement marks the second 'Resident Launcher' contract for ELA. "We are currently in the final stages of negotiation with three more launchers about our resident launch contracts, so our remaining orbital complexes are filling fast," Jones said.
"Our decision to select ELA was driven by their advanced commercial spaceport concept, which includes state-of-the-art infrastructure, innovative commercial offerings, and exceptional customer service and support," said François Maroquene-Froissart, Co-founder & CTO of Sirius Space Services. "ELA's commitment to safety, operational excellence, and service aligns with our mission to deliver agile and competitive launch solutions to our global clientele."