Australia will take another step forward as a space faring nation with a 11.5-metre-tall single stage rocket set to launch from Southern Launch’s Koonibba Test Range on Thursday — this launch is for German rocket manufacturer HyImpulse who transported their SR75 rocket to South Australia for the maiden launch.
The Koonibba Test Range was developed in partnership with the Koonibba Community Aboriginal Corporation and brings economic investment and job opportunities to this small indigenous community in South Australia.
The launch will test HyImpulse’s unique propulsion technology which combines paraffin wax (candle wax) and liquid oxygen. This innovative hybrid rocket engine is non-explosive and offers a greener alternative to traditional rocket fuels – a potential game-changer for the space industry.
The launch is set to be a spectacular sight over the South Australian outback. A dedicated viewing area will be established at the Koonibba township for members of the public wanting to view the launch.
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“This launch will be a momentous occasion for Australia as a nation,” said Southern Launch CEO Lloyd Damp. ‘It signifies to the world that we are capable of launching large rockets and positions our nation as a key player in a global space industry worth billions of dollars.“
Koonibba Community Aboriginal Corporation Chairperson Geraldine Ware said, “This is an exciting time for the Koonibba Community and the Ceduna region as a whole. This will be the first launch from our new permanent facilities and we are all excited to see our planning become a reality.”
About Southern Launch
Southern Launch is a launch and range service provider, headquartered in Adelaide, South Australia. Southern Launch operates the Koonibba Test Range and Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex.
The Koonibba Test Range is one of the largest commercial rocket testing facilities in the world. The range is used to launch sub-orbital missions and accept re-entries of space technology. 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. Southern Launch expands space exploration from the Southern Hemisphere with end-to-end launch services for every space mission.
About HyImpulse
HyImpulse is a launch services provider based in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Founded with the goal to revolutionize access to space, HyImpulse’s orbital Small Launcher, SL1, is powered by a unique and proprietary hybrid propulsion system. This disruptive technology enables HyImpulse to offer affordable, frequent, responsive, and safe access to space for small satellites and spacecrafts. SL1 has a payload capacity of 600 kg to LEO. SR75 is a single-stage rocket powered by the disruptive HyImpulse rocket engine technology using a solid paraffin fuel and liquid oxygen. The rocket carries payloads up to 250 kg and to fly up to an altitude of 300 km. It is designed to launch microgravity experiments, to be used as a versatile rocket booster and it serves as the technology demonstrator for HyImpulse’s orbital launch vehicle, SL1. This SR75 maiden launch is set to flight-qualify the innovative hybrid propulsion technology, a cornerstone in the development of SL1.
