German company HyImpulse signs on for more launches from South Australia following successful mission with Southern Launch

IMAGE: Lloyd Damp CEO Southern Launch, Christian Schmierer CO-CEO HyImpulse and Mario Kobald CO-CEO HyImpulse signing the MoU in Adelaide

Southern Launch and HyImpulse have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for more missions from the Koonibba Test Range and to explore using the Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex for future launches of HyImpulse’s SL1 orbital vehicle.

The MoU comes off the back of a successful launch campaign which saw HyImpulse complete the maiden launch of their 11.5-metre-tall single stage SR75 rocket from Southern Launch’s Koonibba Test Range on 3 May 2024.

The maiden launch of the SR75 rocket was to validate HyImpulse’s unique propulsion technology which combines paraffin wax (candle wax) and liquid oxygen. With a successful first lift-off completed, the team has taken the rocket back to Germany for further analysis which will help shape the development of their SL-1 orbital rocket and future SR75 launches.

For HyImpulse it is all systems go for vehicle development as the team heads back to Germany and Shetland for further engine testing following the successful launch campaign in South Australia.

For South Australia, the launch of the SR75-1 mission was a big step forward in the state’s position as the space state for Australia. The successful launch and demonstration of world-class facilities at the Koonibba Test Range signifies to the $550 billion global space industry that South Australia is open for business.  

The Memorandum of Understanding will see the two companies collaborate on further launches of the SR75 sub-orbital rocket from the Koonibba Test Range. These sub-orbital missions will provide opportunities for local researchers to conduct experiments in micro-gravity without having to go overseas.

Southern Launch and HyImpulse will also work together under the MoU to plan for a launch of HyImpulse’s SL1 orbital vehicle from the Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex once vehicle development is complete.  

The Koonibba Test Range was developed in partnership with the Koonibba Community Aboriginal Corporation and brings economic investment and job opportunities to this small indigenous community in South Australia.

QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO MINISTER FOR TRADE AND INVESTMENT, JOE SZAKACS

The South Australian Government through Invest SA works closely with industry to provide business support and insights that help to grow the sector, which is evident as South Australia’s space ecosystem continues to lead the nation.

I was pleased to catch up recently with the HyImpulse team and was impressed by their dedication to innovation and their work in South Australia.

I congratulate Southern Launch and Hylmpulse on the signing of an MoU which will provide opportunities for future missions from our state, propelling us as a leader in the global space community.

QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO LLOYD DAMP, CEO SOUTHERN LAUNCH

Thanks to Southern Launch’s overland test range at Koonibba the team from HyImpulse were able to recover their rocket to understand the performance of the vehicle.

Being able to recover the rocket means the HyImpulse team has vital information at their fingertips rather than at the bottom of the ocean, which is what differentiates the Koonibba Test Range from most other test ranges around the world.

HyImpulse are leaders in rocket manufacturing and Southern Launch is incredibly proud to sign this MoU and bring further launches to South Australia.

The MoU will help secure more jobs in the space industry and support the infrastructure that the Koonibba Community Aboriginal Corporation has developed in partnership with Southern Launch.

QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO CHRISTIAN SCHMIERER, CO-CEO HYIMPULSE

The launch from the Koonibba Test Range has given the team great confidence in the development of our rocket engines and systems. Being able to recover the rocket and understand what happened during the flight accelerates our engineering process and we are already looking forward to our next launch.

The Koonibba Test Range is unique and provides our company with a launch site that cannot be found anywhere else.

The support we received from the South Australian community was incredible, we look forward to returning in the future.

QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO MARIO KOBALD, CO-CEO HYIMPULSE

The successful lift-off of our sounding rocket was a huge milestone in the development of HyImpulse as a space company. It marks the beginning of our commercial operations and highlights the capabilities of our team and technology.

It was a great team effort to conduct a launch in Australia for a German NewSpace company and we are very happy with the great collaboration with Southern Launch and their professional team.