Southern Launch proud to partner
with the Koonibba Community Aboriginal Corporation to
develop world-class spaceport
Southern Launch and the Koonibba
Community Aboriginal Corporation will begin work on
permanent world-class space facilities after the Federal
Government awarded almost $4.5 million in funding to the
Koonibba Community Aboriginal Corporation.
Southern Launch CEO Lloyd Damp
says, ‘This funding will enable us to work with the
Koonibba community to develop world-class space
facilities that secure a high-tech future for the
community. The Koonibba Test Range
brings a global industry to South Australia’s doorstep
and we’re excited about the opportunities this will
bring to the community through employment, investment
and inspiration.’
The Koonibba Test Range is jointly
operated by Southern Launch and the Koonibba Community
Aboriginal Corporation and is one of the largest
commercial rocket testing facilities in the world. The
range is Australia’s first licensed space launch
facility and has a long list of local and international
customers ready to use the range to launch and accept
re-entries of ground-breaking space technology.
Koonibba Community Aboriginal
Corporation Chief Executive Corey McLennan says, ‘The
partnership we have had with Southern Launch over the
past few years has been tremendous for our community
through investment and employment opportunities. We are
looking forward to what this next chapter will bring and
excited to inspire our community with the world of
opportunities available to them when space is right on
our doorstep.’
The Koonibba Community Aboriginal
Corporation will also use a portion of the funds to
develop an observatory on Koonibba lands. Corporation
Chief Executive Corey McLennan says, ‘This observatory
will combine our rich stargazing history as First
Nations people with the ground-breaking space
exploration happening from our lands. We hope the
observatory will be a drawcard for every launch from the
facility and must-see destination as people travel
across Australia.’
Frequent launches from the facility
will provide direct employment for more than 30
community members and generate significant revenue for
the community through tourism, launch support and
construction.
The establishment of permanent
space launch facilities in Koonibba Test Range puts the
Eyre Peninsula on the map as the space capital of
Australia. Lloyd says, ‘The positive collaboration we
have had with the Koonibba community in establishing the
Koonibba Test Range is a testament to what can be
achieved when local stakeholders, commercial enterprises
and government work together. We are excited to follow
this blueprint as we look to establish permanent
facilities at our Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex and
bring even more investment to the Eyre Peninsula.’
Plans for the permanent facilities
are currently with the local council for approval.
Southern Launch and the Koonibba Community Aboriginal
Corporation hope that works can begin in the second half
of 2023. A number of missions are contracted to launch
from the Koonibba Test Range later this year and in
2024.
One of Satellite's most highly respected
conferences anywhere
13 & 14 June 2023
Fullerton Hotel
Sydney
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