Southern Launch Successfully Launches South Australia into the New Space Economy Era
On 19 September 2020, the South Australian space sector was given a strong boost with four payloads being launched to the edge of space within two hours. Southern Launch, an Adelaide based start-up, blasted the two rockets, with their small payloads, to around 85km altitude at 10:09:47am and 11:49:47am from the Koonibba Test Range north west of Ceduna.
These were the first commercial launches of space capable rockets from Australian soil, and this successful campaign demonstrates Southern Launch’s ability to provide rapid access to space. It also confirms the feasibility and benefit that New Space activities will bring to Australia’s economy and to developing sovereign capability.
Steven Marshall, the Premier of South Australia, who visited the Koonibba Test Range on Tuesday 15th September, said of the launches, “Congratulations to the team at Southern Launch for successfully launching a rocket to the edge of space from Koonibba, South Australia. It’s the latest example of how SA is at the forefront of this emerging sector and is creating jobs of the future.”
Linda Reynolds, Australia’s Defence Minister said, “The unique DART rocket contained a prototype radio frequency receiver unit designed for Air Force to explore how networked sensors at high altitude can vastly improve Defence situational awareness. This event will go down in history - we have lift off on an exciting future for Australian rocket launches!”
The payloads were developed by the South Australian company DEWC Systems for the Royal Australian Airforce. DEWC plans to develop satellites that will be capable of helping the Australian Defence Force detect potentially dangerous radar signals from enemy forces.
Lloyd Damp, CEO of Southern launch explained, “I am proud of my team that managed this double launch in a very short interval. It demonstrates that rapid access to space is available and heralds a new era of the New Space launch economy.
“Until now, small satellites had to be launched as secondary payloads to larger satellites on large rockets – commonly called ‘ride-share’. This means the small satellites had to wait and align with the schedule of the primary payload, which is often a significant impediment. However, a number of companies are now developing micro-launchers to address this problem. The dual launch by Southern Launch today clearly demonstrates that small satellites can be rapidly deployed whenever they are ready for launch, reducing waiting times and therefore optimizing their business models.”
Due to its unique location in South Australia, Southern Launch will specialize in polar launches out over the Southern Ocean. This has the significant advantage of minimal air traffic and no population areas, allowing for regular and rapid launches as and when required. Recent studies predict that over 50% of micro-launchers will deploy payloads to polar obits, so Southern Launch is expecting to play a leading role in South Australia’s developing New Space economy.
