Southern Launch has signed a new agreement with US-based SpaceWorks Enterprises to host multiple re-entry missions at the Koonibba Test Range in South Australia.
"SpaceWorks are developing re-entry capsules for the return of payloads manufactured in space. Southern Launch offers world leading expertise and infrastructure to support their missions. We look forward to welcoming their capsules back to Earth at the Koonibba Test Range," Southern Launch CEO, Lloyd Damp, stated.
The agreement enables SpaceWorks to advance its growing portfolio of atmospheric Re-Entry Devices (RED). SpaceWorks is developing a line of atmospheric RED designed to provide low-cost, autonomous return of payloads from Earth orbit.
The first recovery operation under this agreement will support SpaceWorks' upcoming Commercial Orbital System for Microgravity Crystallization (COSMIC) demonstration mission, funded in part by a NASA TechLeap Prize and a NASA SBIR Phase III contract.
"This partnership with Southern Launch represents an important step forward in the commercialisation of our RED reentry systems,” CEO of SpaceWorks Enterprises, John Bradford, explained.
“The scale, favorable conditions, and operational flexibility of the Koonibba Test Range provides a world-class environment as we bring reliable, cost-effective reentry and recovery services to the commercial space market."
SpaceWorks’ RED product line it claims provides small, affordable re-entry systems designed to return high-value payloads from space, supporting commercial, scientific, and defence missions including material testing, flight environment profiling, and in-space manufacturing.
Under the agreement, Southern Launch will support SpaceWorks’ missions through the provision of end-to-end range services, including regulatory approvals, range operations, airspace and maritime coordination, tracking, and recovery operations.
The Koonibba Test Range has rapidly emerged as the preferred destination for commercial re-entry missions, with multiple successful orbital returns completed in the past year.
Southern Launch operates the Koonibba Test Range in partnership with the Koonibba Community Aboriginal Corporation, a proud collaboration that has created a unique sovereign capability servicing the global space industry.