Rob Baker has worked at the Defence Science and Technology Group for 21 years and will bring to the newly created role a “breadth of knowledge regarding rocket range safety and rocket modelling and simulation”, according to CEO Lloyd Damp.
The South Australia-based launch company is still in the trial stages before being approved of operating the commercial launch pad at the Whalers Way Orbital Complex on the Eyre Peninsula.
It is recruiting roles within its engineering and projects team ahead of its fourth launch attempt, following three failed ones last September.
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The next launch date is yet to be announced.
“Coming on board with Southern Launch is a great opportunity to work with a great team on exciting projects and break new ground in the space domain,” Baker said in a statement on Thursday.
After over two decades in defence, his experience includes weapons modelling and simulation, probabilistic range safety methodology and implementation, and active protection systems for armoured vehicles, according to Southern Launch.
He has also worked with delivering range safety advice for rocket and missile testing activities, deployments to Afghanistan, advising Special Operations Command and leading research programs focused on protecting Australian soldiers and vehicles.
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Southern Launch said Rob will be responsible for “delivering safe rocket testing and launch services” to the company’s customer base.
“The recent announcement of ADISCA and bringing Rob into the team aligns with Southern Launch’s increasing capability to support Australia’s strategic space and defence ambitions,” Damp said.
ADISCA, short for the Australian Defence Industry Space Capability Alliance, is a joint collaboration between eight companies to boost the nation’s space industry announced in March.
In November, Baker was a key speaker at the Future Armoured Vehicles Survivability conference in the United Kingdom, discussing the protection of armoured vehicle platforms and personnel in defence.
Southern Launch has also hired two additional workers recently, including former Boeing design engineer Farisha Jamal as the new avionics engineer, and Peter Bailey, as the Port Lincoln-based trade assistant.
Isabella Richards
Bella Richards is a journalist who has written for several local newspapers, her university newspaper and a tech magazine, and completed her Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) at the University of Technology Sydney in 2020. She joined Momentum Media in 2021, and has since written breaking news stories across Space Connect, Australian Aviation and World of Aviation.
You can email Bella on: [email protected]
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