The site on the tip of the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia intends to specialise in orbital blast-offs, but has previously used a temporary launchpad after gaining what was effectively interim authorisation for test launches.
However, in the last week, the firm received the go-ahead from both the South Australia’s Minister for Planning and the Commonwealth’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
Southern Launch CEO Lloyd Damp said access to space launches is critical for humanity, with many existing sites operating at near capacity.
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“The Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex enables rapid access to orbit thanks to our good year-round weather and low sea and air traffic,” he said.
“In addition to this, Southern Launch also secures all required approvals under Australian legislation, further removing any obstacles to orbit for space companies.”
Southern Launch is planning its first commercial launch next year after securing a number of deals with launch companies to blast off from both Whalers Way and its separate Koonibba Test Range, which specialises in suborbital launches. It follows three failed attempts in 2021.
“The Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex can accommodate direct ascent trajectories from 55 to 177 degrees including polar, sun-synchronous orbits and 135-degree (equivalent to 45 degree) inclination, making it one of the most versatile launch sites globally,” said Southern Launch.
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“Under the approval, the complex will have two launch pads along with associated infrastructure such as vehicle assembly buildings, clean rooms and integration facilities.
“Approvals have been granted initially for up to 42 launches per year. The final approvals that have been granted encompass all environmental approvals required to use the site under Australian legislation.
“This means rocket companies do not need to undertake any environmental assessments to use the site and the onus is on Southern Launch to ensure launch activities meet environmental guidelines.”
Australia is currently home to two other spaceports: Equatorial Launch Australia’s Arnhem Space Centre in the Northern Territory and Gilmour Space Technologies’ Orbital Spaceport in North Queensland.
A fifth, Space Centre Australia, is planned for Far North Queensland and recently appointed former prime minister Scott Morrison as its new chairman.
The news of Whalers Way’s approval comes after Space Connect reported in July how Southern Launch signed a deal with a South Korean rocket manufacturer to host at least four blast-offs per year starting in late 2025.
The agreement will allow Unastella to iteratively test and launch a small lift rocket that will pave the way for it to eventually develop a larger crewed rocket and spaceship.
Adam Thorn
Adam is a journalist who has worked for more than 40 prestigious media brands in the UK and Australia. Since 2005, his varied career has included stints as a reporter, copy editor, feature writer and editor for publications as diverse as Fleet Street newspaper The Sunday Times, fashion bible Jones, media and marketing website Mumbrella as well as lifestyle magazines such as GQ, Woman’s Weekly, Men’s Health and Loaded. He joined Momentum Media in early 2020 and currently writes for Australian Aviation and World of Aviation.
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