https://spacewatch.global/tag/koonibba-test-range/ AN INDEPENDENT PERSPECTIVE ON SPACE Fri, 20 Mar 2026 10:37:06 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 https://spacewatch.global/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SpaceWatchGlobal-Sign-90x90.png https://spacewatch.global/tag/koonibba-test-range/ 32 32 https://spacewatch.global/2026/03/hyimpulse-and-saxavord-spaceport-sign-launch-agreement-to-advance-european-launch-capabilities/ Fri, 20 Mar 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=72194 HyImpulse Technologies has signed a launch services agreement with SaxaVord Spaceport for the second flight of its SR75 suborbital launch vehicle. The mission is targeted for later this year and will mark HyImpulse’s first launch from European territory. The agreement follows the successful inaugural lift-off of SR75 from Koonibba, Australia, where the vehicle demonstrated stable flight validating system performance under operational conditions.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2025/12/southern-launch-to-host-innospaces-space-missions-from-its-launch-facilities-in-australia/ Tue, 16 Dec 2025 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=69843 Southern Launch has signed an agreement with INNOSPACE to enable the latter conduct space missions from the Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex and the Koonibba Test Range in South Australia. Beginning in 2026 and continuing for at least the next decade, the strategic partnership enables INNOSPACE to conduct a diverse range of missions from Southern Launch sites, including orbital satellite launches and suborbital technology demonstrations.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2025/05/varda-successfully-returns-third-orbital-laboratory-capsule-to-earth/ Fri, 16 May 2025 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=65319 Varda Space Industries has returned its Winnebago-3 capsule from orbit, landing it at Southern Launch's Koonibba Test Range. W-3 is Varda's third successful reentry mission and comes just 11 weeks after its previous successful mission, W-2. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2025/03/southern-launch-closes-funding-round-to-scale-spaceport-offerings/ Thu, 27 Mar 2025 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=64587 Southern Launch has closed out a significant funding round, propeling the company to build out its spaceports and scale its service offerings. The funding round was led by a syndicate of prominent Australian infrastructure investors who recognize the unique capabilities that Southern Launch has to offer the global space and high-tech industries.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2025/03/varda-space-completes-capsule-return-to-koonibba-test-range/ Mon, 03 Mar 2025 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=64226 Varda Space Industries has successfully returned its Winnebago-2 (W-2) capsule to Southern Launch’s Koonibba Test Range in South Australia after launching aboard the Transporter-12 rideshare mission with SpaceX on January 14.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2024/08/hyimpulse-signs-launch-service-mou-with-spacemanic/ Thu, 08 Aug 2024 06:00:12 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=56494 HyImpulse Technologies and Spacemanic CZ s.r.o. have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on launch services. Under this MoU, HyImpulse and Spacemanic will prepare and enter into launch contracts for up to 10 orbital missions from 2026 to 2036. This collaboration also includes utilizing HyImpulse's Small Launcher 1 (SL1) for orbital services and the SR75 vehicle for suborbital technology demonstration missions.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2024/03/koonibba-test-range-gets-set-for-inaugural-launch/ Thu, 28 Mar 2024 07:00:37 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=54380 The new launch facilities at the Koonibba Test Range, South Australia’s first permanent spaceport, are almost complete ahead of the impending inaugural launch. Located northwest of Ceduna, the range is a partnership between Southern Launch and the Koonibba Community Aboriginal Corporation. It is the largest commercial testing range in the Southern Hemisphere. Subject to final regulatory approval, the spaceport will witness its first suborbital test launch of German manufacturer HyImpulse’s SR75 rocket at the end of April or early May.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2024/02/hyimpulse-sr75-rocket-ship-to-australia-for-inaugural-launch/ Mon, 26 Feb 2024 07:00:42 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=53826 HyImpulse has announced that its SR75 rocket and its ground support equipment have begun the journey by ship through the Atlantic Ocean, around South Africa and to Southern Australia for its inaugural launch. Southern Launch's Koonibba test range is the final destination for the rocket, and the launch campaign will tentatively commence in mid-April at the Koonibba test range.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2023/11/hyimpulse-secures-kooniba-and-saxavord-spaceports/ Fri, 17 Nov 2023 07:00:24 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=52349 HyImpulse has partnered with Southern Launch to launch into space from the Koonibba Test Range in 2024. In the same vein, the German rocket manufacturer has entered into agreements regarding the provision of facilities and services of the SaxaVord spaceport for future launch activities. As a result, HyImpulse will offer launch services from SaxaVord Spaceport in the Shetland Islands, and test its SR75 rocket via a suborbital launch at the Koonibba test range. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2023/10/southern-launch-signs-tsa-with-us/ Fri, 27 Oct 2023 06:00:12 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=51966 Southern Launch, an Australian rocket launch and range service provider company have announced the signing of a Technology Safeguards Agreement (TSA) between Australia and the US. The agreement will allow for the transfer of US Space Technology including rockets and satellites to be launched from, or returned to Australia. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and President Joe Biden signed the TSA during Prime Minister Albanese’s first official state visit to the US. The agreement must still be ratified by the Australian parliament.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2023/10/varda-space-partners-southern-launch-for-re-entry-operations/ Tue, 24 Oct 2023 06:00:48 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=51903 Varda Space Industries and Southern Launch have announced a partnership to conduct re-entry operations at the Koonibba Test Range, with the goal of making South Australia a hub for an in-space manufacturing industry. As a result, Southern Launch will support Varda Space Industries in conducting high-cadence re-entry operations at the Koonibba Test Range to meet a wide range of Varda’s customer needs.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2023/08/koonibba-to-host-permanent-commercial-space-launch-facility/ Thu, 03 Aug 2023 06:00:56 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=50343 Southern Launch and the Koonibba Community Aboriginal Corporation will begin work on Australia’s first permanent commercial suborbital space launch facility after planning consent was granted for the Koonibba Test Range. The Koonibba Test Range is one of the largest commercial rocket testing facilities in the world.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2023/04/southern-launch-partners-space-forge-for-satellite-test-range/ Thu, 27 Apr 2023 06:00:15 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=48270 Southern Launch has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with UK-based Space Forge at the International Space Symposium to explore possibilities of Satellite Return to Southern Launch’s Koonibba Test Range.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2022/02/southern-launch-expects-funding-boost-from-government/ Fri, 25 Feb 2022 07:00:22 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=39524 The Australian Federal Government announced its Space Infrastructure Fund of AU $65 million, which was welcomed by Southern Launch, as the country’s only licensed company with launch facilities. The announcement confirms that Australia wants to establish a vibrant space launch capability.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2021/03/australia-grants-first-launch-facility-license/ Mon, 29 Mar 2021 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=31467&preview=true&preview_id=31467 Australia grants first launch facility license]]> https://spacewatch.global/2020/05/equatorial-space-systems-signs-mou-with-southern-launch-australia/ Wed, 27 May 2020 05:00:09 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=22910 Equatorial Space Systems announced on 25 May 2020 that it has signed a memorandum of understanding to use the facilities of Southern Launch Australia for its upcoming suborbital mission programme.]]>