Space Centre Australia (SCA) has announced the development of the Atakani Space Centre, a spaceport development in Cape York, Queensland. The announcement was made during the Australian Space Summit & Exhibition 2025, held last week in Sydney.
Once developed, the Atakani Space Centre will become the cornerstone of Australia’s space infrastructure, offering large-scale launch solutions and fostering international collaboration.
With plans to commence smaller launch operations and radar services before the end of the decade and larger launches commencing soon after in the 2030s, the centre aims to position Australia as a key player in the global space industry.
Located 40 kilometres east of Weipa, Atakani is a 300 square kilometre site and will serve as Australia’s northernmost spaceport, offering direct access to equatorial and polar launch trajectories, making it a unique and highly strategic site for both national and international missions. When completed, it will support a range of orbital and suborbital missions, from small satellite deployments to deep space endeavours.
“The Atakani Space Centre represents a bold step forward for Australia’s space capabilities,” said SCA CEO James Palmer. “Our vision is to establish a world-class facility that not only advances our technological prowess but also brings substantial economic growth to the Western Cape region.”
The summit featured a keynote address by Scott Morrison, former Australian Prime Minister and chairman of Space Centre Australia’s Advisory Board. Morrison highlighted the strategic importance of the Atakani Space Centre in positioning Australia within the global space sector.
“Space is already a highly contested domain that is shaping the geopolitical environment and future technological advancement,” he said. “Australia must leverage its unique geography and network of security relationships, such as AUKUS and the QUAD, to build a sophisticated space ecosystem that is integrated with our allies and partners to protect our shared national security interests.”
“The Atakani Space Centre in Cape York will deliver the essential space launch infrastructure Australia will need to achieve this goal,” continued Morrison. “This makes the Atakani Space Centre a project of great national significance.”
Atakani will provide the primary allied strategic complement to US space launch facilities, used for NASA and Space Force missions, at the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral in Florida. The Atakani site is currently in advanced planning and is expected to reach initial operational readiness by 2029, with full-scale commercial launches commencing shortly thereafter.
The Australian Space Summit & Exhibition 2025 brought together over 70 industry leaders and experts to discuss emerging business opportunities, innovations, and real-world applications shaping the future of the space industry.
The event underscored Australia’s commitment to becoming a strategic partner in the global space sector, leveraging alliances such as AUKUS to elevate its role in space exploration and technological innovation.
