Australia

Virgin Orbit to launch out of Toowoomba

Virgin Orbit, which launches rockets from Boeing 747s, is looking to start launching missions out of Toowoomba.

ANU astrophysicist and cosmologist Dr Brad Tucker the announcement was made at a major space conference in Paris.

“Now they’re looking to deploy in the southern hemisphere and they’ve chosen Toowoomba as that site,” he told Sky News Australia.

“They’re looking for a test launch in 2024 which would mean they would bring the Boeing 747, the satellites that go on the rocket and the rocket down.”

Dr Tucker said Virgin Orbit would likely leave from Toowoomba Airport towards the ocean before launch.

“It just shows how big now space is becoming in Australia,” he said.

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