Koonibba Test Range and Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex
South Australia is rapidly emerging as a premier destination for space launch and returns. With a unique end-to-end space flight ecosystem dedicated launch infrastructure and world-class mission support, South Australia offers an ideal environment for launch and re-entry.
South Australia hosts critical launch infrastructure and as the location of one of the largest commercial rocket testing facilities in the Southern Hemisphere, offers a unique end-to-end spaceflight ecosystem supporting launch and returns.
The state’s two licensed spaceports are operated by Southern Launch, delivering capability across orbital launch, sub-orbital missions, orbital re-entry and comprehensive range services.
Koonibba Test Range
The Koonibba Test Range is located 40 kilometres north-west of Ceduna on the West Coast of the Eyre Peninsula, South Australia. Jointly operated by Southern Launch and the Koonibba Community Aboriginal Corporation, the test range is one of the largest commercial testing facilities in the world and was Australia’s first licensed space launch facility.
Encompassing 41,000 square kilometres and extending across 350 kilometres of land, the launch site accommodates sub-orbital launches, returns from space and recovery following a sub-orbital launch.
The range is equipped with a 16.8 metre launch rail capable of launching rockets up to 4,200 kilograms.
In April 2023, Southern Launch and the Koonibba Aboriginal Corporation announced their partnership to develop permanent world-class facilities at the Koonibba Test Range after the Koonibba Aboriginal Corporation was awarded $4.5 million in funding to expand the offerings at the test range.
In March 2025, Konnibba Test Range marked a major milestone, welcoming the first-ever successful re-entry of a commercial spacecraft to a commercial site anywhere in the world.
View the Southern Launch website for further information about the Koonibba Test Range.
Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex
The Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex is located on the Southern tip of the Eyre Peninsula, less than a one-hour flight from Adelaide and around 35 minutes from the regional city of Port Lincoln.
The site supports direct ascent trajectories from 55 to 177 degrees including polar, Sun-synchronous orbits and 135 degree (equivalent to 45 degree) inclination.
Covering 1,600 hectares of open land and 6 kilometres of ocean frontage, the Complex provides commercial users with access to high cadence, direct ascent flight trajectories, maximising spacecraft payload mass and profitability. The complex can also accommodate hypersonic flight testing and the return of space technology from orbit over water.
Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex offers ideal launch conditions, including stable year-round weather, low maritime and air traffic, as well as greater launch window availability.
The site received State and Federal Government planning and environmental approvals in October/November 2024, with construction to begin in 2026.
View the Southern Launch website for further information about Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex.
