Stephen Mullighan MP
Treasurer
Minister for Defence & Space Industries
South Australia’s space industry is reaching new heights, with approvals granted for a rocket launch facility on Eyre Peninsula.
SA Space company Southern Launch has been granted approval for its Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex, located on the Southern tip of the Eyre Peninsula, after receiving State Government planning approval.
The approval, granted by the State Planning Minister, Nick Champion, follows the project being approved by the Federal Government’s extensive environmental approvals process, with the company providing a comprehensive biodiversity strategy.
The site will allow Southern Launch to conduct orbital launches of satellites into space and will attract both national and international organisations to use the facilities.
The approval allows Southern Launch to build two launch pads at the uniquely positioned Whalers Way facility.
This will enable companies from around the world to launch satellites into the highly sought after polar and sun-synchronous orbits, which are essential for earth observation, and weather and climate change monitoring.
The facility is expected to bring huge investment in the local community, with each launch reaping significant expenditure for travel, accommodation and other logistics, along with creating highly-skilled, highly-paid job prospects.
It represents another key capability for South Australia in the space supply chain, which already includes satellite manufacturing, mission control and data analytics.
The first launches from the site are expected to take off at the end of 2025.
Attributable to Stephen Mullighan
The approval of Southern Launch’s Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex represents a significant milestone for South Australia, cementing our place in the global space industry.
The Eyre Peninsula site will attract companies from around the world, keen to take advantage of the unique positioning of Whalers Way for Earth monitoring.
This will bring huge investment in the region, providing a boost for the local economy and creating ongoing jobs for the community.
Attributable to Lloyd Damp, Southern Launch, CEO
South Australia is home to an incredible local space industry.
The approval for the Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex is the final piece of the puzzle in creating an end-to-end space supply chain right here in SA.
It’s safe to say we’re over the moon to bring an orbital launch facility to our state that could one day see missions launched to the moon and beyond!
