The deal, covering approximately 300 square kilometres, clears the way for development of the Atakani Space Centre (ASC), a world-class launch facility that blends cutting-edge space technology with cultural heritage and community priorities.
The binding term sheet, signed with the support of Mokwiri RNTBC, represents the first time an Australian spaceport has secured a lease and opportunity of this scale. The agreement guarantees traditional owners access to country for cultural and ceremonial purposes, participation in governance through the soon-to-be-established Luthiggi Corporation, and direct involvement in environmental management, cultural heritage monitoring and operational activities. A royalty framework will provide long-term economic benefits alongside operational revenue.
Space Centre Australia (SCA) chief executive James Palmer said the agreement was “more than a commercial deal, it’s a moment of national significance”.
“The Atakani Space Centre is the first spaceport in Australia to achieve a lease of this size, and it’s the result of nearly six years of Indigenous and community consultation,” Palmer said.
“We have built this project with the Luthiggi people from the ground up, ensuring respect for culture, country and community is at its core. This raises the bar for Indigenous engagement in major infrastructure projects, not just in space, but across Australia.”
Representing the Billy’s Lagoon family area, Andrea Toby said the partnership safeguards cultural connections to country while creating new opportunities.
“This agreement protects our cultural connection to country while opening new opportunities for our community,” Toby said. “Over the past six years, Space Centre Australia has worked alongside us, listening to our needs and respecting our traditions. Atakani will be a place where our heritage is honoured, and our young people can reach for the stars – both literally and figuratively.”
Advisory chairman of SCA, former prime minister Scott Morrison AC, said the agreement was central to realising Australia’s space ambitions.
“This agreement secures the essential platform for Space Centre Australia to now develop the Atakani Space Centre and the world-class space ecosystem it will establish for Australia,” Morrison said. “It importantly recognises that our vision is shared with our traditional owner partners, who appreciate the multigenerational benefits this will bring to their community. We look forward to seeing the promise of this agreement realised for them and the broader Western Cape community.”
Located near Weipa in North Queensland – at 12 degrees south of the equator — the Atakani Space Centre is the only Australian spaceport with secured land currently in development. Its location offers unmatched orbital launch opportunities, year-round operational capacity and strategic access to both equatorial and polar orbits.
The facility will be capable of supporting a wide range of activities, including sounding rockets, scientific balloon missions, suborbital test flights, low-Earth orbit satellite launches and heavy-lift missions for both commercial and defence customers.
The project builds on SCA’s growing international partnerships, including collaboration with NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility and Goddard Space Flight Centre, and engagement with US state and federal agencies to enable cross-border aerospace operations.
The Atakani Space Centre will be developed in four stages, beginning with surveys and civil works before expanding to full commercial operations. Once complete, it will serve commercial, defence and scientific missions– securing Australia’s place in the global space economy while setting a new benchmark for culturally integrated infrastructure development.