SpaceX is negotiating with U.S. and Australian officials to land and recover a Starship rocket off Australia's coast, which could validate the rapid delivery capabilities envisioned by the Pentagon.

Under a $102 million contract with the Pentagon, SpaceX has been studying Starship for military delivery applications, with plans for advanced prototypes in the coming years.

Rocket-based cargo delivery using Starship could significantly reduce transit times, achieving deliveries in roughly 90 minutes compared to the traditional 12 to 24 hours by aircraft.

Starship is a fully reusable rocket system designed for multiple high-capacity missions, including satellite launches, lunar landings, and military cargo transport.

The proposed plan involves launching Starship from Texas, landing it in the sea near Australia, and recovering it on Australian territory, pending necessary regulatory approvals.

Approval for this operation would require modifications to U.S. export controls related to advanced space technologies for Australia.

Discussions have highlighted the need to address regulatory challenges associated with recovering a Starship booster in a foreign country.

This initiative follows a successful controlled splashdown of a Starship rocket in the Indian Ocean, prompting SpaceX to pursue further testing.

The potential Starship launch and recovery off Australia could mark a new phase for SpaceX in the region, enhancing Australia's space defense program and civil-military cooperation with the U.S.

The Biden administration has been working to ease restrictions within the AUKUS security alliance, which includes the U.S., Australia, and Britain, to counter China's influence.

These ongoing discussions reflect U.S. intentions to support Australia's military capabilities amid rising Chinese assertiveness in the region.

While towing the recovered Starship to Australian ports is part of the discussions, specific logistics and timing for the landing remain uncertain.