asa made history with a rocket launch in Australia, the first launch from a commercial spaceport outside the US.
The launch from the remote wilderness of Northern Australia early Monday local time will allow for studies that can only be conducted in the southern hemisphere, the agency says.
It is Australia’s first successful commercial space launch and the first rocket launch in more than two decades.
High winds initially interrupted the countdown several times for the successful detonation from the Arnhem Space Center in the Northern Territory.
Scientists say the launch, one of three in June and July, will help explore how a star’s light might affect a planet’s habitability.
The mission will carry detectors to measure X-rays produced by hot gases that fill the space between stars to help study how they affect the evolution of galaxies.
The second and third missions in July will observe Alpha Centauri, the closest star to Earth, and the closest star to the Southern Cross constellation on the Australian flag.
The constellation and Alpha Centauri can only be seen in the southern sky.
Those traveling to the site only saw the rocket about 10 seconds before it entered Earth’s atmosphere.
One, Merrkiyawuy Ganambarr-Stubbs, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation: “It was in the blink of an eye, but to me it was like it was in slow motion because the whole area had just been lit up.
‘It went up, and then the sound, it was like a thumping thump, like nothing I’ve ever heard. And I just shook in amazement.”
The indigenous Yolngu people, who helped build the Arnhem Space Center, will assist in future launches.
The Northern Territory’s chief minister, Natasha Fyles, said the launch was an “extremely proud” moment for Australia, adding that it was carried out with the blessing of the region’s traditional Aboriginal owners.
“Here on Yolngu land, young Territorians can look to the sky and know what can be done,” Ms Fyles said in comments from ABC.
“When we see the oldest living culture combined with the science of space, as we have here, it’s something we can all reflect on and be very proud of.”