Australia is already a place that the world wants to launch from thanks to its numerous geographical advantages. 

Increasingly, the nation's reputation as a responsible and sustainable actor in civil space is proving to be another key advantage. 

Last week, Australian launch provider Southern Launch and Varda Space Industries, an American microgravity-enabled life sciences company, received authorisation from the Australian Government to undertake a series of returns in regional South Australia. 

The return authorisation marks the first granted by the Australian Government for a domestically returning spacecraft under the amended Space (Launches and Returns) Act 2018. 

The authorisation will see three Varda pharmaceutical manufacturing capsules re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere and land at Southern Launch's Koonibba Test Range. 

“This historic authorisation is a powerful signal of Australia’s opportunity to become a responsible launch and returns hub for the global space community," said Head of the Australian Space Agency Enrico Palermo.

Creating an environment for Australia's space sector to grow

The Agency supports the nation in meeting its international obligations, while encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship in the space industry. Space sustainability, responsibility and safety are at the core of achieving this goal.

Mr. Palermo points out that while the country's geographic advantages that make it a desirable place for launch and returns, the introduction of a Technology Safeguards Agreement (TSA) with the US is accelerating that growth.  

The TSA came into force in July this year and allows the United States to carry out space launch and return activities in Australia, and ensure US technology is protected. 

"The agreement (TSA) is forging stronger links between our commercial sectors and enabling new possibilities. It generates investment to enhance local infrastructure, scale our sector, and expand market access for Australian companies — bringing economic opportunity across our nation but particularly to our regions where these launch and return facilities are often located,” Mr Palermo added. 

"Varda is honoured to perform Australia’s first commercial space re-entry, and we’re excited to partner with our friends at Southern Launch to support the development of a thriving Australian space sector," said Will Bruey, CEO, Varda Space Industries. 

The Koonibba Test Range offers more than 41,000 square kilometres of uninhabited land.

"This open space combined with low air traffic means we can accept a high cadence of re-entry missions. This is essential for low-earth orbit to be the home for humanity’s next evolution of industrial capacity," said Corey McLennan, CEO, Koonibba Community Aboriginal Corporation. 

In May, the Koonibba Test Range was used to test one of the country's largest commercial rockets. 

 

Main image caption: The Varda capsule from the first mission after it landed in the United States in 2024 | Credit: Varda Space Industries 

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Australia’s space sector

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