Australia is one step closer to reaching the stars with Pad 1 at Southern Launch’s Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex being approved by the Australian Space Agency.
Whalers Way will host satellite launches into orbit around the Earth’s poles and support the growing Internet of Things (IoT), Earth Observation (EO) and space communications industries that supports improved farming, water management and logistics operations worldwide, setting South Australia up to start capturing part of the $5.5 billion global space launch market.
The Complex, located on the tip of the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia, is set to transform Port Lincoln and South Australia into a vibrant space hub and will attract space industry related jobs and growth to the region.
The License was signed by the Hon Christian Porter MP Federal Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, after Southern Launch completed the licensing process through the Australian Space Agency. The approval of the launch facility license comes after the announcement from Minister Porter of the new measures to support the growth of Australia’s civil space sector, including the deferral of cost recovery on launch applications for another year.
Construction of Pad 1 has begun, with the first of up to three test launches from the Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex scheduled in the coming months. Pad 1 is positioned on an already cleared site at Whalers Way and will allow rockets to safely launch southwards over the Great Australian Bight. The launch pad was designed by Southern Launch with the construction awarded to local Port Lincoln company, Owen Construct and Design.
Southern Launch CEO Lloyd Damp said, “This is a momentous occasion for our team, to have been granted Australia’s first fixed space launch facility license, enabling Southern Launch to host rocket launches into space from Australian shores. Our team is now on track to commence the testing of three rocket launches from Whalers Way before the end of 2021. These tests signify a very real opportunity for Australia – becoming once again a space fairing nation.”
