Southern Launch
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace |
| Headquarters | Adelaide , Australia |
Area served | Australia |
Key people | Lloyd Damp (CEO) |
| Products | Rocket launch services, launch infrastructure and logistics support |
Southern Launch operates as the commercial identity of SouthernLaunch.space Pty Ltd, an aerospace firm based in Australia specializing in launch services. As of 2023, it manages the nation's sole rocket launch facilities authorized by the Australian Space Agency for space missions.
With its headquarters situated in Adelaide, South Australia, Southern Launch delivers essential infrastructure and logistical support tailored for both orbital and sub-orbital deployments of commercial satellites and payloads. This offering caters to the increasing need from small satellite enterprises that prefer dedicated launches to prevent scheduling conflicts inherent in shared payload arrangements. The company runs two launch locations positioned on the western and southern parts of the Eyre Peninsula.
Facilities
Southern Launch collaborates with Perigee Aerospace from South Korea under an agreement granting access to its launch infrastructure. Additionally, it serves as the contracted launch provider for DEWC Systems, headquartered in Adelaide, which executed its inaugural launch in September 2020. DEWC specializes in cutting-edge satellite sensing solutions designed to enhance the Australian Defence Force's capability to detect and monitor challenging targets.
The company manages two distinct sites: the Koonibba test area located on western Eyre Peninsula, northwest of Ceduna, and the Whalers Way site situated on southern Eyre Peninsula, southwest of Port Lincoln.
Southern Launch aims to facilitate up to 40 rocket launches annually, contingent upon securing permanent governmental approvals for its leased properties. The Australian federal government, via the Australian Space Agency, issued launch licenses for individual test flights during 2020, 2021, and 2022. Concurrently, the South Australian government granted temporary environmental clearances while considering long-term approval for the Whalers Way launch facility as of 2023. Presently, only concrete pads have been constructed at both locations; all other operational infrastructure remains mobile and is deployed as required during launches.
Koonibba
Situated near the Aboriginal community of Koonibba, the Koonibba Test Range supports sub-orbital launches following flight paths over uninhabited national parks, allowing straightforward retrieval of equipment on land. This site hosted Southern Launch's initial missions in September 2020, marking the first commercially capable rocket launches within Australia.
Operating on Aboriginal-owned land with community consent, several local residents are employed to assist with various operational roles including traffic management, emergency response coordination, and ensuring safety for spectators during launch events.
Whalers Way
The Whalers Way location is optimized for launches into polar and Sun-synchronous orbit trajectories. Positioned just a few kilometers from the Southern Ocean coastline, it facilitates southbound flight paths extending beyond Antarctica. By late 2022, discussions with the South Australian government were ongoing to obtain extended or permanent development approval for its concrete launch pad.
Rockets and payloads
Southern Launch’s early efforts concentrated on facility testing, conducting environmental impact studies, and verifying rocket propulsion systems along with guidance, telemetry, and structural integrity.
The company’s first launches occurred on 19 September 2020 using small , DART rockets following a northward sub-orbital trajectory from Koonibba.
Later missions included launches of Hapith 1 rockets produced by Taiwanese firm TiSPACE, which was invited by the Australian Government to establish manufacturing operations domestically. In 2021, Southern Launch formed an Adelaide-based subsidiary named TASpace to support local rocket production.
TASpace’s "Kestrel" vehicles are two-stage rockets weighing and measuring in height. They utilize TiSpace's non-explosive hybrid propulsion technology to achieve sub-orbital altitudes near , reaching velocities between Mach 2 and Mach 6 (noting that achieving orbit requires speeds around Mach 25).
On 3 May 2024, HyImpulse achieved a successful maiden flight of its SR75 suborbital rocket launched from Koonibba Test Range, representing a significant advancement for commercially viable launch systems within Australia.
Environmental considerations
Avian conservationists express concerns that rocket launches could endanger the Southern emu-wren and increase the likelihood of wildfires. Lloyd Damp, CEO of Southern Launch, pointed to the comprehensive 3,200-page environmental impact report created in collaboration with industry specialists. The company actively supports studies on indigenous wildlife and plant species, implements programs to control invasive weeds and feral animals, and restores native vegetation. Damp also highlighted their proven capability to safely manage fire risks during previous launch operations and outlined plans to form a specialized emergency response team for fire, medical, and other urgent situations should the site receive permanent authorization.