So, SpaceX is apparently chatting up the U.S. and Australian officials to land their shiny Starship rocket off Australia’s coast. Normally, these rockets take off from Texas—SpaceX’s home turf—but they’ve been trying out landings in the Indian Ocean lately. After a splashdown success in June, they’re itching to expand their horizons.
Why Australia, you ask? Besides wanting to hang out in Crocodile Dundee’s backyard, it’s part of a bigger game plan. Landing a Starship on Australian soil could bolster security ties and counteract China’s influence. But before Elon can play lifeguard down under, he needs the U.S. to chill out on some tight export controls.
Even if they land the booster in Australia, there are hurdles. Everyone from SpaceX to Aussie officials is busy dissecting logistics and regulations. And while the timeline’s still murky, this gig seems like the first act of a more epic SpaceX-Aussie adventure.
Photos: @SpaceX
