Historic rocket launch from South Australia on September 15
A rocket will be fired into space from South Australia next month in a historic moment for the nation’s fledgling space industry.
SA News
Don't miss out on the headlines from SA News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- First rocket launch at Southern Launch’s Koonibba test range
- Hayabusa2 space probe to land in South Australian Outback
A rocket will be fired into space from regional SA next month in a historic occasion for a fledgling and lucrative industry.
A hi-tech electronic warfare prototype will be launched from the Southern Launch’s test range at Koonibba, near Ceduna, on September 15.
The DART rocket, weighing just 34kg, will travel 100km into space.
The launch will allow SA defence contractor DEWC Systems, which designed the electronic warfare technology for detecting radar signals, to conduct a vital frequency sensing tests.
But it will also showcase the state’s capabilities as an emerging hub for lucrative space industry work.
“This launch will further cement our state’s reputation as the space capital of the nation and is a prime example of what the collaboration between local companies can achieve across this high-growth sector,” Premier Steven Marshall said.
The DART rocket will travel at a speed of Mach 5 or about 1.5km a second.
Its tiny payload, which is narrower than a 20c piece and only 27cm long, will fall back to Earth under a parachute and land in the national parks north of Koonibba.
Unveiling the launch date, DEWC Systems chief executive Ian Spencer said the mission was an important step for Australia developing a true sovereign, space capability for defence.
It was also a showcase of collaboration between innovative Australian companies. “Now is the time for industry to be bold and to lead,” Mr Spencer said. “The challenging question for Australia now, isn’t can industry deliver, it is can Government and regulators keep up.”
Southern Launch chief executive Lloyd Damp said the launch would help “push the boundaries of the conceivable and inspire future generations to be space farers”.
He has described the launch as the “rumble before the start of the avalanche” for SA’s fledgling space industry.
The front of the rocket will be decorated with artwork from the Koonibba Community. Koonibba Community Aboriginal Corporation boss Corey McLennan said his community was excited to play a role in developing Australia’s space future with Southern Launch’s test range on its lands. The test range is 40km northwest of Ceduna.