South Australia Range Signs U.S. Firm for Multiple Orbital Reentry Missions
SpaceWorks RED Capsules to Return Space-Manufactured Payloads at Koonibba Test Range
Southern Launch has signed an agreement with SpaceWorks Enterprises of Atlanta, Georgia, to host multiple orbital reentry missions at the Koonibba Test Range in South Australia.
“This partnership with Southern Launch represents an important step forward in the commercialization of our RED reentry systems.” Dr. John Bradford
SpaceWorks Enterprises
Under the agreement, Southern Launch will provide end-to-end range services for SpaceWorks’ atmospheric Re-Entry Device, or RED, capsule operations. Those services include regulatory approvals, range operations, airspace and maritime coordination, tracking, and recovery.
The first recovery operation under the agreement will support SpaceWorks’ Commercial Orbital System for Microgravity Crystallization, known as COSMIC — a demonstration mission funded in part by a NASA TechLeap Prize and a NASA SBIR Phase III contract.
SpaceWorks is developing a line of RED capsules designed to provide low-cost, autonomous return of payloads from Earth orbit. The systems support commercial, scientific, and defense missions, including material testing, flight environment profiling, and in-space manufacturing.
“This partnership with Southern Launch represents an important step forward in the commercialization of our RED reentry systems,” said Dr. John Bradford, CEO of SpaceWorks Enterprises. “The scale, favorable conditions, and operational flexibility of the Koonibba Test Range provides a world-class environment as we bring reliable, cost-effective reentry and recovery services to the commercial space market.”
The Koonibba Test Range has completed multiple successful orbital returns in the past year, positioning itself as a destination for commercial reentry missions. Southern Launch operates the range in partnership with the Koonibba Community Aboriginal Corporation.
“SpaceWorks are developing reentry capsules for the return of payloads manufactured in space,” said Lloyd Damp, CEO of Southern Launch. “Southern Launch offers world leading expertise and infrastructure to support their missions. We look forward to welcoming their capsules back to Earth at the Koonibba Test Range.”