Southern Launch is building on Australia’s natural advantages as a space launch site by creating a state-of-the-art mobile rocket launch system.
Australia is an attractive global launch destination thanks to its Southern Hemisphere geography, the regulatory framework of the Agency, and an emerging base of cutting-edge launch infrastructure developed by local space companies. Adelaide-based Southern Launch has added to that infrastructure with its mobile launch rail, which can be transported to different locations for launch depending on mission requirements. The rail is designed and built in Australia, and it can send vehicles anywhere between 20kg and 3,500kg into sub-orbital space.
To build the rail, Southern Launch engaged South Australian companies Ferretti International and Hydroil, bringing their respective expertise in structural steel and hydraulic cylinders into the space industry for the first time.
Once assembled, the rail was stationed at the Koonibba Test Range, the largest commercial rocket testing facility in the Southern Hemisphere, operated collaboratively by Southern Launch and the Koonibba Community Aboriginal Corporation. The range is a burgeoning employer for the Koonibba and Ceduna communities in the far west of South Australia – who were involved in launching German company HyImpulse’s SR75 rocket for the rail’s maiden campaign in May 2024.
The HyImpulse launch was the first high-powered rocket launch in Australia, while also setting a new record for the nation’s largest commercial rocket launch – demonstrating Australia’s growing ability to compete in the lucrative international space launch market.
“Receiving the grant from the Australian Space Agency to develop the launch rail is recognition that a launch site is an anchor and catalyst for innovation in the wider space sector. We are incredibly excited that this state-of-the-art launch rail will attract even more companies to Australia to conduct space missions and support our local space industry… we can't wait to launch more missions.”
– Lloyd Damp, CEO, Southern Launch
Technology features
- Transportable system enabling launches from different geographic locations.
- 16m long linear rail with elevation and azimuth adjustable in 0.1 degree increments.
- Capable of launching vehicles up to 3500kg with a 900mm diameter.
- Hydraulic operation.
- Launcher and t-slot rail constructed in sections to aid in transportation and assembly.
Project highlights
- Agency Supply Chain Capability grant awarded to develop the rail.
- Maiden launch conducted for German company HyImpulse in May 2024 – making history as Australia’s first high-powered rocket launch and largest commercial rocket launch at the time.
- Interest from other international companies in conducting similar launches using the rail following the HyImpulse launch.
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