SpaceX Eyes Rocket Landings Near Australia

SpaceX could soon be landing its rockets near Australia.

Sources say Elon Musk’s firm is in talks to bring one of its giant Starships down just off the coast.

That follows a June test, which saw one of the rockets conduct a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean.

It also comes as the U.S. and Australia step up their security ties in a bid to counter China.

Going ahead will require Washington to relax strict controls on the overseas use of the sophisticated technologies in the rockets, according to the sources.

The plan would see a Starship blast off from Texas, land in the sea off Australia, and then be towed ashore for recovery and reuse.

That could reportedly be the first phase of a more ambitious plan that would see the rockets take off from or land on Australian soil.

Starships are designed to be fully reusable, and could have applications besides launching satellites and astronauts.

The U.S. Air Force is examining whether they could be used to deliver cargo to the far side of the world in just 90 minutes.

SpaceX has also been researching the idea, funded by a Pentagon grant.

U.S. budget documents suggest it will start working on a prototype next year.

Some at the Pentagon reportedly viewed the June landing in the Indian Ocean as a key step towards the capability.

SpaceX, the U.S. Space Force and the Australian Space Agency did not immediately reply to requests for comment.

Towing Starship, after it has landed in the ocean or on a barge, to a nearby port on Australia's western or northern coasts would be ideal, though more specific plans and locations are still being discussed, the sources said.

The conversations underscore the U.S. determination to help Australia build up its military as a deterrent to an increasingly assertive China in the region.