On December 15, 2022, ATSpace prepared a Kestrel I rocket for the VS02 mission from the Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex in South Australia. During the oxidizer filling process, a leak was detected and the launch preparations were halted — after further investigation, it was determined that the launch should be postponed.
Southern Launch and ATSpace now shift their focus to launch the VS03 mission before the campaign window closes on December 20th. ATSpace and Southern Launch will determine when a launch of the ATSpace Kestrel I VS02 rocket will be reattempted.
The VS03 mission brings together four South Australian companies that aim to launch a rocket and state-of-the-art payloads to space. On board the ATSpace Kestrel I rocket will be an Inovor Technologies spacecraft integrated with payloads designed by Asension and Southern Launch.
Southern Launch CEO, Lloyd Damp, said, “We are incredibly excited that we still have the opportunity to launch the VS03 mission before the end of the year.”
ATSpace CEO, Dr. Yen-Sen Chen, said, “Launching to space is a challenging task. The VS03 mission is another chance for us to test our systems to achieve technical maturity.”
Southern Launch is an innovative space company providing launch services and bespoke rocket subsystems and designs to customers. The Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex at the tip of the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia supports high cadence orbital launches into the highly sought after polar and sun synchronous orbits. In addition to the Orbital Launch Complex, the company also operates the overland suborbital Koonibba Test Range near Ceduna.
ATSpace was founded in Australia in January of 2021 and is the sister company to TiSPACE from Taiwan. Following support from the Global Australia program within the Australian Trade and Investment Commission, in November of 2021 ATSpace opened its Australian rocket manufacturing facility in Wingfield, South Australia, firmly integrating Australian supply chains and vendors into the manufacture of the Kestrel I and Kestrel V space launch vehicles. Currently, ATSpace is developing cost-effective space launch systems using proven, cutting-edge, non-explosive hybrid rocket propulsion technologies. Their hybrid rocket engines are delivering class-I rocket engine performance that enable fast turnaround space launch services.
Original news posting…
ATSpace has confirmed that the company is ready to launch two of their Kestrel I rockets before the end of the year after a planned launch in November was postponed due to severe weather.
Under permissions granted by the Australian Space Agency, Southern Launch and AT Space will aim to launch the VS02 and VS03 missions from the Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex in December, showcasing the capabilities of that venue.
ATSpace made the decision to attempt to launch the two consecutive missions after investigations revealed that the lightning damage to the VS03 rocket was not as severe as first thought. Safety is always a priority for Southern Launch and the preparations for the potential, consecutive missions has involved the same rigorous approvals from regulatory bodies at a local, State and Federal level.
Southern Launch has worked extensively with the South Australian Country Fire Service (CFS) to prepare a launch site that exceeds regulatory requirements. The CFS has thoroughly assessed the safety of launch activities and has provided permits for Southern Launch to conduct the launches during fire ban season.
Public viewing areas of the launch will be located at a safe distance from the launch facilities.
Southern Launch CEO, Lloyd Damp, said, “We have proven over multiple launch campaigns that we can deliver a world-class launch facility for our customers. We are excited to assist ATSpace to deliver two consecutive, safe sub-orbital launches to space. We have invested significantly in developing in-house firefighting capability and fire suppression systems for the launch pad at the Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex. The launch trajectory for both potential missions is over the Southern Ocean which further minimizes the risk of fire. Exclusion areas will once again be in place on the launch day to ensure public safety. Detailed information about the exclusion areas that will be in place for land, air and sea will be available on the Southern Launch website. Fishery Bay is not included in any marine or land launch exclusion areas.“
Dr. YenSen Chen, Chief Executive Officer of ATSpace, said, “We were very pleased to discover that the repairs required to the VS03 rocket were minimal. We always planned to launch the VS02 rocket in 2022 and it is fantastic that we can attempt to combine the two missions to be consecutive launches.””
