August 21, 2006 - 4:44PM
A deal between NASA and a US-based company has revived hopes that Woomera will be the launch site for rockets to supply and maintain the International Space Station (ISS).
The company, Rocketplane Kistler, announced it had secured a $272 million NASA contract to launch rockets from Woomera, in South Australia's far north.
Kistler first announced plans to use Woomera to operate re-useable rockets almost a decade ago, saying test flights were scheduled to begin in 1998. However, financial delays meant the project never got off the ground, despite Kistler's insistence it was still committed to the launches.
Kistler now intends to launch its K-1 rocket from Woomera in late 2008.
The K-1 rocket, which has not yet flown, is being designed to transport both cargo and crew to the ISS, as well as items from the outpost back to Earth.
"Our contractors are all lined up, ready to go," said Kistler spokesman Will Trafton. "We begin work on September 1."
If the project proceeds, it will give a much needed boost to Woomera, which was the scene of Australia's space industry in the 1960s and 70s.
More recently, the township became associated with the controversial Woomera detention centre, which was the scene of mass hunger strikes, protests and breakouts before it closed in 2003.
Woomera is home to about 200 residents.
It is still used for weapons trials, as well as for the launch of scientific research rockets.
NASA awarded a similar contract to US company SpaceX.
© 2006
AAP