Southern Launch and Varda secure Australian approval for spacecraft re-entry at Koonibba Test Range

Written by Copernical Team Monday, 21 October 2024 11:27

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Sydney, Australia (SPX) Oct 18, 2024

Southern Launch and Varda Space Industries, a U.S.-based company focused on microgravity-enabled life sciences, have been granted approval by the Australian Government for a series of spacecraft returns at the Koonibba Test Range. This marks the first time the Australian Government has authorized a spacecraft re-entry under the revised Space (Launches and Returns) Act 2018. Three pharmaceutical

Southern Launch and Varda secure Australian approval for spacecraft re-entry at Koonibba Test Range
by Simon Mansfield
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Oct 18, 2024

Southern Launch and Varda Space Industries, a U.S.-based company focused on microgravity-enabled life sciences, have been granted approval by the Australian Government for a series of spacecraft returns at the Koonibba Test Range. This marks the first time the Australian Government has authorized a spacecraft re-entry under the revised Space (Launches and Returns) Act 2018. Three pharmaceutical manufacturing capsules from Varda are set to return to Earth and land at the Koonibba Test Range.

This approval positions Varda as the first company authorized for spacecraft re-entry in both Australia and the United States, where they previously received a re-entry license from the U.S. Federal Aviation Authority. Varda aims to establish a future where spacecraft re-entries are as routine as launches, contributing to the growth of the orbital economy.

Southern Launch and Varda are planning a series of missions, known as the W-Series, to highlight South Australia's potential as a global hub for spacecraft re-entry operations.

Varda Space Industries is at the forefront of developing orbital manufacturing capsules that leverage the unique advantages of microgravity. This environment enables the production of pharmaceuticals that cannot be manufactured on Earth.

The W-2 mission, the first of the W-Series re-entries, is scheduled for early 2025 at the Koonibba Test Range. The mission will carry payloads from NASA, other U.S. government partners, and Varda's own research, which focuses on expanding orbital pharmaceutical production capabilities.

Lloyd Damp, CEO of Southern Launch, expressed his excitement about the approval, noting that it reflects the significant effort both companies have invested. "Gaining approval from the Australian Government is testament to the incredible work the Varda and Southern Launch teams have put in during the approval process. Southern Launch has extensive experience in gaining launch facility licenses and launch permits from the agency, and we are proud that our expertise now extends to return authorisations," he said.

Varda's CEO, Will Bruey, highlighted the importance of this milestone for both companies and the wider Australian space sector. "Varda is honoured to perform Australia's first commercial space reentry, and we're excited to partner with our friends at Southern Launch to support the development of a thriving Australian space sector. Australia is clear-eyed about the promise of orbital pharmaceutical processing, and Southern Launch have led the way for the future of space infrastructure on Earth," Bruey commented.

Enrico Palermo, Head of the Australian Space Agency, emphasized the broader significance of this authorization for the country's space industry.

"This historic authorisation is a powerful signal of Australia's opportunity to become a responsible launch and returns hub for the global space community. We have always had geographic advantages that make us a desirable place for launch and returns, but the introduction of our Technology Safeguards Agreement (TSA) with the US is accelerating that growth," Palermo explained.

He also noted that "the 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."

Corey McLennan, CEO of the Koonibba Community Aboriginal Corporation, highlighted the unique advantages of the Koonibba Test Range. "The Koonibba Test Range offers more than 41,000 square kilometres of uninhabited land to accept the re-entry of in-space manufacturing capsules," McLennan explained. "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."