US, Australia Plan to Sign Technology Safeguards Agreement
US, Australia Plan to Sign Technology Safeguards Agreement
Would Clear the Way for US Companies to Launch to Space from Australia
The United States and Australia have announced that they intend to sign a Technology Safeguards Agreement (TSA) that provides the legal and technical framework for U.S. commercial space launch vehicles to launch from Australia. The agreement will protect sensitive U.S. launch technology and data while in Australia and creates the potential for new space-related commercial opportunities between the two countries.
“ELA has been engaged with and negotiating with US rocket manufacturers for several years now and we have all been awaiting the TSA completion."
Michael Jones, ELA
According to the US State Department, the agreement, upon entry into force, provides the legal and technical framework for U.S. space launches from Australian spaceports while ensuring proper handling of sensitive technology, consistent with our long-standing partnership as members of the Missile Technology Control Regime.
U.S. State Department Assistant Secretary for International Security and Nonproliferation C.S. Eliot Kang and Australian Ambassador to the United States Kevin Rudd signed the agreement between the two countries.
This agreement protects sensitive U.S. technology and sets the standard for how others should use such sensitive technology in the conduct of satellite and rocket launches from foreign locations.
The action was welcomed by the Space Industry Association of Australia (SIAA). “The Australian Space Industry is already open for business and are ready to sign up US customers to launch from and return to Australian soil. We hear regularly from both the US government and industry of their demand for this capability in Australia. This agreement removes the blockage stopping this demand being met by the Australian Space Industry and we look forward to the new business opportunities that will emerge for the industry,” said SIAA Executive Chairman, Jeremy Hallett.
While the text of the treaty is not yet public, it is expected the types of activities this agreement enables include:
The launch of US rockets from Australian spaceports, which opens the US launcher market for Australian spaceport operators, but also provides local launch options for Australian spacecraft manufacturers on board US rockets;
The launch of US spacecraft on board Australia rockets, from Australia, which opens the US market for Australian rocket manufacturers, and
The return of US spacecraft to Australian soil, which helps unlock access to the booming, in-space manufacturing, science and medical research market.
“For Southern Launch the TSA means our US customer, Varda, can return their in-space manufacturing capsules to the Koonibba Test Range and we could now relaunch them to orbit from our Whalers Way Range on a US rocket, said Lloyd Damp, CEO of SIAA Member Southern Launch. "This circular process unlocks a new pharmaceutical industry potential in Australia that will benefit all humankind, and give our nation a robust space launch and returns capability.”
“ELA has been engaged with and negotiating with U.S. rocket manufacturers for several years now and we have all been awaiting the TSA completion," said Michael Jones, Chairman and Group CEO of SIAA Member Equatorial Launch Australia (ELA). "(This is) great news for us and clears the way for us to finalize our contracts with US launchers."