In the late 60s Woomera moved onto supporting the United States Defence Nurranger project, for intelligence regarding missile launches and nuclear explosions .. ending when the Cold War was over.
In 1967 Australia’s first satellite was launched from Woomera using an American rocket. The launch site was at Lake Hart (yesterday’s post) because water is needed for cooling.
In the 1990s Woomera became the site of joint Japanese/Australian project for a gamma ray observations. Today it does work for various defence and civilian activities and calls itself as the largest test and evaluation range in the world. A huge chunk of land is still a restricted zone.
My brother joined the RAAF in 1961, training at Laverton in Victoria. His first, and only, posting was to Woomera. He went AWOL early in 1966. He was unsuited to the military way, and Woomera sent him batty as all there was to do at that time was drink.
ReplyDeleteWe overnighted there a couple of years ago - a fascinating spot! But there's so much sadness attached to its history.
ReplyDeleteHappy travels!!
It has an interesting if not secretive history.
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