Maritime access restricted as Southern Launch prepares for lift-off
Whalers Way will be closed to the public as Southern Launch sends its first suborbital rocket into space. See where to watch lift-off.
Port Lincoln
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General public access will be restricted on Friday as Southern Launch sends its first suborbital rocket into space.
The company will perform its first test of the Hapith I rocket by Taiwanese company TiSPACE from the Whalers Way site on the Eyre Peninsula.
The three tonne, 10m rocket is the first to be launched from the Orbital Launch Complex located in one of Port Lincoln’s most picturesque locations.
A popular area among tourists, surfers and swimmers Whalers Way, known for its rock pools, marine life and surf breaks, will have restricted public access between 6am and 6pm on Friday, due to operation and safety requirements.
Southern Launch CEO Lloyd Damp told the Sunday Mail last month there were no plans to evacuate people from homes or restrict access to Fishery Bay during launches.
However, the company has assured distanced viewing at nearby Wanna Lookout, directly across from the launch site is acceptable.
Whalers Way is the second proposed test launch site by the company and Mr Damp confirmed if successful after three trials, it will establish a permanent site there.
“I foresee a future where people come to Port Lincoln to say ‘I‘m coming to watch Australia send a rover to the moon’,” he said.
Southern Launch have collaborated with appropriate scientific researchers and followed guidelines from the Australian Space Agencies space act to find a site appropriate for the world-first launch.
“That’s where the incredible situation is with Whalers Way,” Mr Damp said.
“It’s privately owned land and we were able to negotiate a long-term lease with the land owners to explore the development of a rocket launch site.”
A poll shared on local a community Facebook page on August 26 asked members if they were in support of the rocket launch.
Three hundred and ninety-two people voted ‘yes’, 156 people voted ‘no’, 84 people agreed the launch site could be in a different location while the remaining 26 ‘don’t care.’
The launch pad was blessed two weeks ago by traditional land owners in a ceremony inviting good spirits and protection for the journey ahead for Southern Launch.
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