‘We are go for launch’ approval granted for the world’s most versatile rocket launch site
The VS02 launch attempt at the Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex in 2022
Southern Launch has been granted all approvals for the Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex located on the tip of the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia. Work on permanent facilities will begin in earnest with the first launches from the site scheduled for late 2025.
Southern Launch CEO Lloyd Damp says, ‘Access to space is critical for humanity with many existing launch sites operating near capacity. The Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex enables rapid access to orbit thanks to our good year-round weather and low sea and air traffic. In addition to this, Southern Launch also secures all required approvals under Australian legislation further removing any obstacles to orbit for space companies.’
The Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex can accommodate direct ascent trajectories from 55 to 177 degrees including polar, sun-synchronous orbits and 135-degree (equivalent to 45-degree) inclination making it one of the most versatile launch sites globally. Under the approval the complex will have two launch pads along with associated infrastructure such as vehicle assembly buildings, clean rooms and integration facilities. Approvals have been granted initially for up to 42 launches per year.
The final approvals that have been granted encompass all environmental approvals required to use the site under Australian legislation. This means rocket companies do not need to undertake any environmental assessments to use the site and the onus is on Southern Launch to ensure launch activities meet environmental guidelines.
‘Our approach to business is to provide customised services to our customers to ensure they meet their mission goals,’ Lloyd says. ‘Our experienced team takes care of all required approvals and range safety considerations and our launch pads can be customised to meet different mission requirements, or even reserved for a dedicated customer needing regular launch cadence.’
The Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex is equipped with ancillary tracking and telemetry sites to ensure vehicles can be observed from launch through to payload separation. The site can also accommodate hypersonic flight testing with land-based tracking systems.
‘We have designed the Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex with versatility in mind,’ explains Lloyd. ‘We understand that access to space is not one size fits all. The complex has been developed in a location that enables different launch trajectories and azimuths so space technology companies can get to where they need to be.’
The Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex complements the sub-orbital Koonibba Test Range which is also operated by Southern Launch. In addition to sub orbital launches. The Koonibba Test Range is emerging as the global location to return space technology from orbit with multiple return missions planned for 2025. The two world-class spaceports are within 400km of each other.
Final plans for the permanent facilities will be completed soon with the first launch from the Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex scheduled for late 2025.
