Culminating more than a year of obtaining environmental, regulatory and permitting authorizations, Spaceport Woomera, a wholly owned subsidiary of Kistler Aerospace Corp., is set to begin construction of the world’s first fully operational commercial spaceport at Woomera in South Australia, following a major ground-breaking event.
The spaceport, which will incorporate the world’s most advanced
technology, will provide the operational base for the launch of the
world’s first fully reusable launch vehicle, the Kistler K-1.
The multimillion-dollar spaceport is due for completion in the
fourth quarter of this year, with test flights of the vehicle
scheduled for late 1998. The first commercial payload is expected to
be launched next year.
“This is a very special day for Kistler and all of the key
stakeholders involved with the Woomera spaceport, including the
Commonwealth government, the South Australian government, regulatory
bodies, government agencies and local Aboriginal groups,” said Robert
Wang, chairman of Kistler Aerospace.
“Kistler has made very significant strides in the last six months
in accomplishing many milestones. However, this ceremony signifies a
very important transition for us. Moving this project from concept to
construction in such a short time is a testament to our business
capabilities and our commitment to become the world’s first fully
reusable launch provider.”
As a reusable vehicle, the Kistler K-1 promises to significantly
decrease the cost of launching satellites into low Earth orbit. These
benefits are expected to be passed on to consumers in the form of
reduced costs for communications and satellite-based services.
“Kistler plans to lead the world’s commercial space revolution to
a level comparable with commercial aviation,” said Wang. “Satellite
communications permit faster and increased access to global
information, more effective connections for commerce, and enhanced
communication links between countries and people.”
Kistler hopes to begin construction on its second spaceport site,
in Nevada, in the 1999-2000 time frame. The company plans to operate
the two spaceports simultaneously to allow greater flexibility in
scheduling and in the range of launch azimuths that can be flown to
meet customer requirements.
In achieving this milestone, Kistler worked in cooperation with
the minister for industry, science and tourism, John Moore; the
minister for defense, Ian McLachlan; the premier of South
Australia, John Olsen; and various government agencies to obtain
all the necessary environmental, regulatory and permit authorizations.
“The planning and approval of this facility has come together
through superb government and industry cooperation,” said Wang.
“Environmental, regulatory and negotiation issues relating to native
title claims have all been harmonious. We look forward to a continued
successful relationship with the Commonwealth government, the South
Australian government and Aboriginal groups.”
Kistler Aerospace is the developer of the K-1 fully reusable
aerospace vehicle, designed to deliver satellites to low Earth orbit
and provide a low-cost alternative to single-use launch vehicles.
Kistler is a privately funded U.S. company with corporate offices in
Kirkland, Wash., and executive offices in Los Angeles.
Another wholly owned subsidiary, Kistler Woomera Pty. Ltd., will
own and operate the K-1 vehicle from the Woomera spaceport.
