VS01 Launch Updates

22 September 2021 at 12.00pm ACST

After inspection of the Hapith I vehicle, post the September 16th launch attempt, Southern Launch and TiSPACE have concluded that we won’t continue with any further launch attempts of this particular vehicle.

Lloyd Damp, Southern Launch CEO said,
This test launch vehicle may not have taken Australia to space, however it has provided our teams with valuable data and insights, which will lead TiSPACE in refining their launch vehicle capabilities further, and Southern Launch with the vibration and noise data needed to support the major development of the Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex.

We thank the Australian Space Agency, the Government of South Australia, and the emergency services for their support of the VS01 test launch campaign. And, we thank all of the businesses and individuals who went above and beyond in their assistance to our teams during the test launch.”

The Southern Launch team are now underway preparing for the next two proposed test launch campaigns from the Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex.

More details to come on VS02 and VS03 test launch campaigns, proposed to be completed by 31 December 2021.

16 September 2021 at 17.03pm ACST

At 4:09 pm (ACST) on 16 September 2021 Southern Launch and TiSPACE attempted to launch the Hapith I from the Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex.

During ignition, the launch vehicle suffered an internal fault causing the vehicle to catch alight. The fire was contained to the launch pad and was attended to by the South Australian Country Fire Service, who were onsite.

No people or the environment were put at risk.

16 September 2021 at 14.27pm ACST

Here we go again!

The rocket has been given the all clear by the team for launch.
The Australian Space Agency has announced a launch window for today, closing at 6.30pm (ACST).

Stay tuned for updates

15 September 2021 at 16.26pm ACST

At 2:18 pm (ACST) Southern Launch and TiSPACE countdown was halted just before lift-off, stopping the launch sequence. During the final steps prior to lift-off, one of the systems did not come online. As per Southern Launch and TiSPACE’s safety protocols, the rocket was put into a safe state.

Lloyd Damp, Southern Launch CEO said, “The Southern Launch and TiSPACE teams are assessing the status of the launch vehicle, including the ability to attempt another launch at a later date.”

14 September 2021 at 12.06pm ACST

It’s been a busy few days as the Southern Launch and tiSPACE teams look to the skies to determine our next launch date.

And we are excited to announce that tomorrow, Wednesday September 15th, both the upper and lower winds level are looking to be in our favour!

Once again, the launch window is open from 6:00am and 18:00pm ACST

Southern Launch, TiSPACE and the Australian Space Agency stand in front of the Hapith I rocket at the Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex

Southern Launch, TiSPACE and the Australian Space Agency stand in front of the Hapith I rocket at the Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex

10 September 2021 at 17.09pm ACST

Unfortunately, due to strong upper winds the Southern Launch and TiSPACE teams, as well as the Australian Space Agency, came to the decision to postpone the Hapith I launch that was schedule for today (Friday, September 10th). Our teams monitored the winds using radiosondes, in conjunction with information provided from the Bureau of Meteorology, and determined that it would be unsafe to launch in the wind conditions monitored throughout the day.

Southern Launch and TiSPACE will determine a revised test launch date with the Australian Space Agency.

Southern Launch CEO Lloyd Damp said,

Space is hard and that’s why we’re taking an incremental approach to developing an Australian space launch capability. We had planned and trained for this potential outcome, facing an external factor like weather which would result in our teams needing to postpone the launch. The team are disappointed that we were unable to make history today for the Australian space industry, however our launch window is still open until Thursday, September 23rd, so we will be back on the range to attempt another launch.

9 September 2021 at 18.02pm ACST

T-12:00 HOURS TO LAUNCH WINDOW!

After a successful Flight Readiness Review, we are GO for launch window opening at 06:00am ACST pending final weather balloon at T-02:00.

In the lead-up to launch, we have planned for all possible outcomes, including unfavourable weather. Regardless of what tomorrow may bring, we are so proud of both Southern Launch and TiSPACE in getting us to this point. It is important to remember that this is a maiden test launch and whatever happens, we will still gain valuable data that will propel us towards Australia, once again, becoming a space-fairing nation

9 September 2021 at 11.08am ACST

LAUNCH WINDOW HAS OPENED!

Southern Launch and TiSPACE are aiming to launch the Hapith I at the Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex on Friday, September 10th. Due to high winds at the site, launch has been postponed from Thursday, September 9th.

A huge thank you to the Bureau of Meteorology for their continued support in providing us with this critical weather data to help us perform a safe launch.

Image provided by Bureau of Meteorology, Australia

Image provided by Bureau of Meteorology, Australia

7 September 2021 at 06:40am ACST

To ensure safety to people and the environment we will be restricting marine access from in front of the Whalers Way Launch Complex on launch days. Check out our Aquatic Activities License for the three test rockets planned for this year.

Update*
Due to the postponement of the launch, the restrictions will come into effect on 16 September 2021.

Read more here.

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VS01 Launch Announcement