INNOSPACE Multi-Launch Contract goes to ELA
A multi-year, multi-launch contract has been signed with Korean aerospace company INNOSPACE for a series of orbital launches from the Arnhem Space Center (ASC) being developed by Equatorial Launch Australia (ELA).
“Last year’s three successful launches with NASA allowed us to showcase the skill and capabilities of both the ELA team and the Arnhem Space Center."
Michael Jones, ELA
The ASC is located on the Gove Peninsula in Australia’s Northern Territory. The agreement will see the launch of several INNOSPACE rocket variants each carrying between 50kg and 500kg (≈110-1,100 pound) payloads into low earth orbit from the ASC across a five-year timeframe through December, 2028.
ELA is widely regarded as the most advanced multi-user commercial spaceport in the world, and the signing of this contract has validated the business concept and development plans by securing the only hybrid-fueled rocket company worldwide to have successfully launched into space as the first commercial company to become a ‘resident launcher’ (long term tenant and regular launcher) at the Australian spaceport. The first launches by the company from the ASC are expected to be early in 2025. ELA previously had a three-launch contract with NASA.
ELA has been working with the Australian Space Agency (ASA) to expand its existing Launch Facilities Licence (LFL) to support orbital launches from the ASC with a range of orbital rockets, differing azimuths and trajectories and a much wider array of propellant mixes and rocket configurations as part of its Phase 2 Development Plan. This work with the ASA will now expand to assist INNOSPACE to obtain its first Australian Launch Permit (ALP). This ALP approval process is expected to take between 6 and 14 months commencing later his year.
INNOSPACE one of Seven Planned Resident Launchers as ASC
As one of up to seven planned ‘resident launchers’ INNOSPACE will be allocated a Space Launch Complex (SLC), comprising two modern ASC launch pads customized to INNOSPACE’s rocket requirements and an extensive Horizontal Integration Facility (HIF) which allows for rocket assembly, payload integration (in an ISO 8 clean room) and has overhead cranes, offices, workshops and system test facilities in a temperature and humidity controlled environment. Each SLC is fully enclosed and encompasses a range of ITAR compliance measures including video and movement sensor security, extensive fencing, and access control.
"INNOSPACE is one of the first of the next batch of “new space” rocket companies to launch and with increasing congestion at major spaceports globally, INNOSPACE has recognized the unique launch/geographic, infrastructure and commercial benefits of launching from the ASC,” said Michael Jones, Executive Chairman and Group CEO of ELA.
“The launch contract and associated space launch complex agreement which we have been discussing for over a year provide INNOSPACE with the flexibility they require around launching a range of launch vehicles at an increasing cadence over the next five years,” he said. “Last year’s three successful launches with NASA allowed us to showcase the skill and capabilities of both the ELA team and the Arnhem Space Center to the world. It is a very important part of our ethos and culture to be known for what we achieve and not what we predict, and this contract again shows this aspect of ELA.”
"Our goal is to offer customers greater flexibility for their launch schedule and orbit access with frequent dedicated launch opportunities. We expect to enable our satellite customers to achieve significant innovation with our orbital launch services by launching from the ASC,” said Dr Soojong Kim, CEO of INNOSPACE.
(Source: Equatorial Launch Australia news release. Images provided)