Southern Launch and Varda Space Industries have signed a landmark agreement to facilitate 20 additional spacecraft returns at the Koonibba Test Range through to 2028, cementing South Australia’s position as a global hub for orbital re-entry operations.
The new contract builds on the success of the W-Series missions, including the historic W-2 mission, which marked the world’s first commercial spacecraft landing to a commercial spaceport in February 2025. The W-3 mission landing at the Koonibba Test Range just 10 weeks later demonstrates Southern Launch’s capacity to support high-cadence orbital returns.
The 20 new missions will see Varda’s in-space manufacturing capsules return to Earth with payloads that have made novel pharmaceuticals in orbit or conducted experiments in microgravity. The capsules re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere at Mach 25 and land under parachute in the Koonibba Test Range, which Southern Launch operates in partnership with the Koonibba Community Aboriginal Corporation.
Varda and Southern Launch are the two key commercial entities leading the global emerging orbital economy. Together, the two companies have formed a valuable partnership that serves as a shining example of new space companies collaborating to bring home products made in space, benefiting people on Earth.
This new agreement between the companies will cement Australia’s role as the leader in commercial space launch and returns, and secure landing space for Varda’s future missions, which are planned to increase to a near-monthly cadence by the end of 2028.
Southern Launch and Varda will continue to collaborate on the W-Series missions, with the W-4 and W-5 missions scheduled to re-enter at the Koonibba Test Range by the end of this year.
Southern Launch CEO, Lloyd Damp, said the agreement reflects the growing demand for reliable re-entry infrastructure as the global in-space manufacturing economy becomes standard practice and grows. “This contract is a vote of confidence in our team and our facilities. With each successful mission, we’re proving that the Koonibba Test Range is the best place on Earth to bring space technology home Routine re-entries are no longer a dream; they are happening now, and we are proud to lead the way alongside Varda.”
Varda Chief Revenue Officer, Eric Lasker, said, “Products improved through production off Earth are within reach. Our partnership with Southern Launch is the lynchpin to realizing this new economy, and Varda’s increasing cadence is only possible due to the exceptional quality of work consistently delivered by the Southern Launch team. With this new contract we are thrilled to take another step towards the future.”
Premier and Minister for Defence and Space Industries, Peter Malinauskas, said the announcement represented a huge step forward for the state’s space ecosystem. “To establish South Australia as the first commercial spaceport to accept commercial returns speaks volumes to our reputation as a global leader in this field. Southern Launch securing these additional missions with Varda to enable their commercial space return operations reinforces our state’s position as a trusted, strategic location for this capability.”
Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Joe Szakacs, said the South Australian Government would continue to work closely with industry to unlock further opportunities. “South Australia is one of the few places in the world that can offer land-based returns like this in a comparably safe environment. Our government will continue to work collaboratively with the sector to deliver mutually beneficial outcomes.”
