Equatorial Launch Australia was recently awarded ‘Launch Business of the Year’ at the AusSpace24 Australian Space Awards at a gala event held in Sydney.
The judging panel cited ELA’s innovative business strategy, advanced technological offering and the support from its customers and partners as key elements in the decision to present the award to the spaceport operator. ELA’s progress in developing a nationally significant infrastructure project for sovereign space launch capability for Australia was also key to the judging panel’s decision.
ELA successfully launched with NASA in 2022 and has since been undertaking a redevelopment of the Arnhem Space Centre into a high tech, multi-user commercial spaceport. The redevelopment aims to simultaneously deliver a critical space infrastructure project for sovereign launch capability and help to relieve spaceport congestion worldwide, while also planning for future launcher needs to deliver a state-of-the-art launch services facility with a planned increasing launch cadence to more than 50 launches per year.
First orbital launches from the spaceport are planned to commence in 2025 with South Korean launch vehicle provider Innospace.
The AusSpace Australian Space Awards celebrates exceptional achievements in the space sector and is widely accepted as the benchmark for excellence in the emerging field of space. Recognising the leading individuals and businesses driving the development of Australia’s space economy, the AusSpace Awards universally acknowledges all space industry stakeholders driving innovation and accelerating the industry to new heights.
CEO Michael Jones (centre) with ELA team members, from left, Head of Site Operations ASC, Joshua Daish; Head of Business Development, Travis Marshall; Head of Marketing Communications and Public Affairs, Amanda Hudswell; General Manager Launch and Operations, Ben Tett.
Speaking after accepting the award, ELA’s Group CEO Michael Jones said that the honor further endorsed ELA’s value proposition in its innovative approach to launch services and access to space. He said, “I’m thrilled to accept this award for Launch Business of the Year on behalf of the ELA team. This award acknowledges the hard work of our entire team over the past few years in redeveloping the Arnhem Space Centre into the Spaceport of the Future. It’s our aim to be the pre-eminent multi-user commercial spaceport globally. Our ‘Resident Launcher’ business model and high-tech launch pads and integration facilities have resonated with our customers and this award underscores that and reflects that we are well on our way to achieving our goals. Space is hard. To be successful in the space sector there are a lot of hurdles to clear and its only with a high performing team and with the support of our partners and customers that we can be successful. I would like to express my thanks to them.”
