NASA Launches Rocket From Australian Soil [Watch]

NASA successfully launched a rocket from the wilderness in Australia Sunday. It was a historic space launch for both the agency and the country.

Despite the delays due to wind and rain, the NASA suborbital rocket successfully launched from the Arnhem Space Center in the Northern Territory, ABC News reported.

In a video shared by the Australian Space Agency, one can see the "milestone moment" of the launch.

The AFP News Agency also shared another view of the momentous event via a video.

The launch was quite historic because it was Australia's first commercial space launch and also NASA's first launch from a commercial facility outside the U.S. NASA also happened to be the first client of the spaceport, which is operated by Equatorial Launch Australia, according to Reuters.

The event was attended by about a hundred VIPs, including scientists, politicians, local community members and indigenous leaders who watched from 800 meters away. Residents of nearby communities also caught a glimpse of the launch.

"Today marks a moment that will go down in history for the United States and Australia, in our space collaboration efforts," U.S. Consul-General Kathleen Lively said prior to the launch, ABC News reported.

"I've always thought this was going to be a new beginning [for the region]," Djawa Yunupingu, senior leader of the Gumatj clan, said, as per the outlet.

The launch reportedly took place on land owned by the Yolngu, the people who live in the north-east Arnhem Land region.

Australia's dryer conditions and closeness to the equator are said to be optimal for such space launches, Australian National University astrophysicist Brad Tucker said, as per Reuters.

"At 12 degrees in Arnhem you don't get many places closer to the equator," Tucker explained, according to the outlet. "Particularly you don't get places close to the equator where you can get dry, stable air. Florida, where Cape Canaveral is, is kind of a swamp."

After Sunday's successful launch, there are reportedly two others that are slated to launch from the Arnhem Space Center in July, the next being on July 4.