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