SpaceX is in discussions with U.S. and Australian officials about conducting a test landing and recovery of its Starship rocket off Australia’s coast. This move could mark a significant step toward expanding the company’s presence in the region, aligning with efforts by both countries to strengthen security ties.
Since achieving its first controlled splashdown of a Starship rocket in the Indian Ocean in June, SpaceX has been keen to advance its testing program. Successful landings and recovery of the rockets are crucial for the rapid development of Starship, designed to launch satellites, land astronauts on the Moon, and potentially transport military cargo globally.
The proposed plan involves launching Starship from SpaceX’s Texas facility, landing it at sea near Australia, and then recovering it on Australian territory. This process would require adjustments to U.S. export controls on advanced space technologies, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
The Biden administration has been working to ease such restrictions through the AUKUS security alliance, which includes the U.S., Australia, and the United Kingdom, aimed at countering China’s growing influence.
SpaceX, the U.S. Space Force, and the Australian Space Agency have not yet commented on the talks. The plan envisions towing the recovered Starship to a port on Australia’s western or northern coasts, though specific locations and details are still under discussion.
This initiative underscores the U.S. commitment to supporting Australia’s defense capabilities in response to a more assertive China. The potential test landings are expected to be the first phase of a broader plan that could include launching from an Australian facility or landing a Starship booster on land.
SpaceX’s earlier tests with its Falcon 9 rocket involved ocean-based landings before transitioning to successful touchdowns on land and barges. Falcon 9 is now a staple of SpaceX’s operations, demonstrating the company’s ability to achieve routine landings.
Starship, a towering 400-foot (120-meter) rocket, represents the next-generation of SpaceX’s launch systems. It aims to carry large payloads to space, facilitate lunar landings for NASA astronauts, and potentially offer rapid global military cargo delivery.
The June test flight of Starship was notable for its success, with the rocket executing a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean after a suborbital flight, while its SuperHeavy booster landed in the Gulf of Mexico. Previous attempts had ended in disintegration, making this flight a significant milestone for SpaceX.
The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory’s “Rocket Cargo” program envisions using such rockets for swift global cargo delivery, and the June test has been seen as a key demonstration of this concept.
A Starship launch from Texas with a subsequent landing off Australia could further validate the potential for point-to-point delivery, offering a significant reduction in delivery times compared to traditional aircraft.
SpaceX has been studying Starship for these applications under a $102 million Pentagon contract since 2021, with further prototype efforts planned for next year as part of the U.S. Space Force’s 2025 budget.
