First from a launch pad outside the US, NASA rocket launches from Australia

The US space agency NASA launched a rocket from the newly built Australian Arnhem Space Centre (ASC) on Monday morning.

According to local media, it was the first commercial rocket launch in Australia's history and NASA's first from a launch pad outside the United States of America.

Operated by Equatorial Launch Australia (ELA), the ASC is "the only commercially owned and run multi-user equatorial launch site in the world," according to an ELA statement.

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The rocket, which is expected to travel over 300 kilometers (186 miles) in space, is carrying equipment to observe the Alpha Centauri constellations, studies which can only be done from the Southern Hemisphere according to ELA.

Two more launches are planned for July 4 and July 12.