Aussie backs APSC center

Aussie backs APSC center

CANBERRA (AP): The Australian government said Saturday it will help develop an Asia-Pacific space launch center on Christmas Island off the country's west coast.

The government said it will give up to A$100 million toward costs of building the A$800 million facility, known as the Asia Pacific Space Center (APSC). The facility would be used to launch rockets to put satellites into space.

The decision was made after government officials met with Asia Pacific Space Center (APSC) head David Kwon Friday.

"The proposed facility will not only signal Australia's re- entry into the space industry, but will provide critical diversification -and jobs -in the local economy," Regional Services Minister Ian Macdonald said in a statement.

The money will go toward extending an airport runway so it can accommodate large wide-bodied aircraft and new port and road facilities