Southern Launch wins approval for Koonibba Test Range site

Described as a “new frontier for space in Australia”, a local company has secured the green light to develop SA’s first permanent commercial space launch site.

Artist's impression of the Koonibba launch site on the Eyre Peninsula. Picture: Supplied by Southern Launch

Construction of South Australia’s first permanent commercial space launch site will begin later this year on the Eyre Peninsula after being given the green light by local planning authorities.

In what’s been described as a “new frontier for space in Australia”, local spaceport company Southern Launch will oversee a multimillion-dollar investment at its Koonibba Test Range site, putting in place permanent infrastructure that will facilitate suborbital rocket launches.

It’s working with the local Koonibba Community Aboriginal Corporation on the project, which will also include a First Nations observatory.

The project will be delivered in stages, with key components of the facility to be ready for launch campaigns with the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) next year.

Southern Launch chief executive Lloyd Damp said the development of permanent world-class facilities at Koonibba, 40km northwest of Ceduna, would put Australia on the map as a space-faring nation.

Southern Launch chief executive Lloyd Damp with graduate engineers Matthew Willson and Farisha Jamal at the company’s facility in Hindmarsh. Picture: Morgan Sette

He said the site would be developed into one of the largest commercial rocket testing facilities in the world.

“What we have to offer at Koonibba is unique, highly sought after and complements our orbital facility at Whalers Way,” he said.

“We have a long list of global customers ready to use the range and we’re excited about the incredible opportunities this presents for Koonibba and South Australia.”

Unlike the government-owned Woomera Range Complex, which has previously been used as a base for rocket launches, Koonibba is privately operated for commercial space activities.

The permanent launch pad will be used to support suborbital missions to the edge of space, in order to conduct experiments and validate space technology. The range can also be used to accept re-entry of space technology from orbit.

The first stage of development will include a $3 million investment in a launch pad and storage facilities, while the Koonibba Community Aboriginal Corporation will also begin planning for its space observatory.

It is expected that once operational the permanent facilities will contribute more than $500,000 a year towards the local Koonibba economy.

Up to 100 jobs will be created during construction of the facilities, which will support close to 40 ongoing roles once fully operational.

Koonibba Community Aboriginal Corporation chief executive Corey McLennan said the observatory would “combine our rich stargazing history as First Nations people with the groundbreaking space exploration happening from our lands”.

“We hope the observatory will be a drawcard for every launch from the facility and must-see destination as people travel across Australia.”

Space Industries Minister Susan Close said the approval at Koonibba was a “leap towards growing our share of the global space market”.

“Coupled with our strong space heritage, this unique Australian-first facility reaffirms the state’s position as a centre of gravity for space activity and supports the growth of an enduring sovereign capability.”

Southern Launch was established in 2017 and is backed by a group of high net worth South Australian and interstate families.

The company is currently seeking local, state and federal approvals for its Whalers Way orbital launch complex, which would involve a $40m to $45m investment in permanent infrastructure at the site, located at the southern tip of the Eyre Peninsula.

Originally published as Southern Launch wins approval for Koonibba Test Range site