Spaceport operator and launch technology infrastructure company, Equatorial Launch Australia (ELA), today announced Brian Duane, as its new General Manager Arnhem Space Centre. 

With the company’s recent announcement that French launch vehicle provider, Sirius Space Services (Sirius), has secured the second ‘Resident Launcher’ position at the spaceport, the appointment has been made to oversee all spaceport operations and services to deliver a world class operational launch site for Sirius as well as support ongoing preparations for South Korean rocket company, Innospace.  

The role will lead the team on the ground and work closely with the Launch Operations team to optimise mission success for Sirius and Innospace, who will take up their residencies onsite in 2025. 

Importantly, the appointment is also made in preparation for the arrival of a number of additional rocket companies in the final stages of negotiation to take up the remaining Space Launch Complexes at the spaceport. 

Mr Duane, who recently left the RAAF, and his team will have critical operational oversight of delivery of all clients’ ground-based needs at the Arnhem Space Centre including fuel, logistical support, security, infrastructure, and engineering support. He will also be responsible for the development of the spaceport’s ICT capabilities, having spent over 10 years prior to his service in the ADF as an ICT professional. The role supports the company’s mission to further develop the spaceport into a world-class multi-user commercial launch facility.  

Group CEO of ELA, Michael Jones, welcomed Mr Duane by saying “Brian’s rare experience, qualifications and expertise as both a civil engineer and ICT professional will benefit ELA and its customers, and I am delighted to welcome him to the team.”  

Providing all the essential and mission critical services and support to our customers prior to launch, and then quickly and efficiently refurbing and re-readying the pads and spaceport achieving a quick turnaround between launches – so as to maximise the ASC’s high launch cadence objectives - will also be a primary responsibility of this role.  

“Within ELA and our ASC operations, safety and efficiency are our mantra and these two potentially conflicting goals are always paramount in everything we do. Management of these elements of this role will be key to ensure ELA delivers on our promise to our customers of "You build the rockets… we'll take care of the rest.™“ said Mr Jones. 

Following on from our contracts with Sirius and Innospace ELA is experiencing significant inbound enquiry and progression in contract negotiations with several launch service companies from the U.S., Europe and Asia.  

“Our reputation as a world-leading spaceport with innovative and state-of-the-art designs and facilities added to our determination to provide seamless launch services for our customers is driving that interest. This is coupled with the fact that we are in deep discussions with multiple launchers to fill our remaining Space Launch Complexes – with launch companies realising they need to urgently secure a position at the ASC to guarantee their access,” said Mr Jones. 

Mr Duane cited both the scale of the project and its significance to the Australian space industry were factors that drew him to the role. 

“For me, the challenge of an ambitious program to bring Australia to the forefront of space launch, and the opportunity to work on a project that will benefit the entire nation by providing sovereign launch capability and advancing the Australian space industry as we know it, was extremely appealing.” 

Working within Defence, Mr Duane gained significant experience in the delivery and management of infrastructure across Australia including multiple sites in the top end and other remote locations such as Woomera in South Australia.  Having recently managed a national program of works covering a multitude of different and complex infrastructure requirement and projects, Mr Duane is well suited to support ELA in the delivery of a complex program of works.  

Brian joins the executive team of CEO Michael Jones; GM of Operations and Launch, Ben Tett; GM Regulatory and Corporate Affairs Francois Lambert and CFO Alex Somers, and will work closely with Joshua Daish, Head of Launch and Mission Operations and Head of Business Development Nina Patz and Head of launch Programs Dr Sholto Forbes-Spyratos.  

Brian will split his time between ELA’s headquarters in Adelaide’s CBD with extensive travel to the Arnhem Space Centre in East Arnhem Land.