South Australia could be one step closer towards becoming a hub for the emerging in-space manufacturing industry through a partnership between Southern Launch and US-based orbital manufacturing pioneer Varda Space Industries.
Varda Space Industries specialises in developing orbital manufacturing and space re-entry systems. The company seeks to develop life-saving pharmaceuticals in space and take them Earth-bound using their specialised return capsule.
As part of the collaboration, Southern Launch and Varda Space plan to conduct high-cadence re-entry operations at the Koonibba Test Range to help meet a wide range of Varda’s customer needs.
“In-space manufacturing is the next evolution of humanity’s industrial capacity, and elements produced in-orbit have the potential to change the course of history. We are excited to be partnering with Varda Space Industries to bring this emerging industry to Australia through the Koonibba Test Range,” said Lloyd Damp, CEO of Southern Launch.
In-space manufacturing uses the natural advantages of the space environment, such as microgravity and vacuum, to enable the production of goods that cannot be manufactured on Earth.
The Koonibba Test Range, which Southern Launch operates in partnership with the Koonibba Community Aboriginal Corporation, offers over 23,000 sq km of uninhabited land to accept the re-entry of in-space manufacturing capsules.
Subject to regulatory approvals, the range is set to be used for re-entry operations as soon as the launch of Varda Space’s second orbital mission in mid-2024.
“The opportunities for South Australia are immense. It’s likely that by the end of this decade everyday Australians will use products with parts manufactured in orbit. This makes space the resource industry of the future and we have the potential to expand on Australia’s high-tech manufacturing industry and develop the consumer end products right here in Australia,” Damp added.
“Our partnership with the Koonibba Test Range is a great example of the ongoing collaboration between the United States and Australia within aerospace and defence. In the future, you will know this partnership has been successful when you look up at the sky above South Australia to see our spacecraft create a shooting star before landing softly on the desert floor,” said Will Bruey, CEO of Varda Space Industries.
