Commercial Space Launch Facility in Koonibba Approved

Planning consent has been granted for Australia's first commercial space launch facility. Southern Launch and the Koonibba Community Aboriginal Corporation will begin work on the sub-orbital launch facility after planning consent was granted for the Koonibba Test Range.

"These facilities will provide employment, investment and educational opportunities for the Koonibba community."

Corey McLennan, Koonibba Community Aboriginal Corporation

The Koonibba Test Range is one of the largest commercial rocket testing facilities in the world. Jointly operated by the Koonibba Community Aboriginal Corporation and Southern Launch, the range is used to launch suborbital missions to the edge of space to conduct experiments and validate space technology. The range can also be used to accept re-entry of space technology from orbit.

Commercial Space Launch Facility Development will Come in Stages

The development of a permanent commercial space launch facility at the Koonibba Test Range will be an iterative process, with the first stage focussed on a launch pad and storage facilities. "These facilities will provide employment, investment and educational opportunities for the Koonibba community," said Corey McLennan, Koonibba Community Aboriginal Corporation Chief Executive. "Partnering with Southern Launch to develop these facilities on our land secures our future as a community and provides an industry to support our people."

"South Australia is at the forefront of our national and international space efforts and approval of a permanent, world-class facility in Koonibba is another giant leap towards growing our share of the global space market," said Susan Close MP, Deputy Premier of South Australia and Minister for Defence and Space Industries.

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

The Koonibba Community Aboriginal Corporation will also begin planning for its space observatory. "This observatory will combine our rich stargazing history as First Nations people with the ground-breaking space exploration happening from our lands," McLennan said. "We hope the observatory will be a drawcard for every launch from the facility and must-see destination as people travel across Australia.’

It is expected that once operational the permanent commercial space launch facility will contribute over $500,000 per annum for the Koonibba community. The project will also generate direct employment for members of the Koonibba Community and opportunities for other local contractors on the Eyre Peninsula.

(Source: Southern Launch news release. Images from Southern Launch Announcement Video)