The small town of Koonibba on the edge of the Nullarbor continues to play an integral part in the nation's space industry with the launch of one

Koonibba cements place in Australia's space race with launch of rocket powered by candle wax

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2024-05-14 09:30:03

The small town of Koonibba on the edge of the Nullarbor continues to play an integral part in the nation's space industry with the launch of one of the largest rockets from Australian soil from a private facility on Friday.

The Koonibba community first held talks with South Australian launch company Southern Launch six years ago with plans to develop a launch pad on a wheat paddock on the state's far west.

Then, together with Southern Launch, the town hosted Australia's first commercial, space-capable rocket launch in September 2020.

The venture has already brought jobs and educational benefits, culminating in the launch of the 11.5-metre carbon fibre SR75 rocket made by German company HyImpulse.

A crowd of locals and VIPs, who travelled to Koonibba from across Australia and Europe, witnessed the historic achievement on Friday.

"Hopefully, over the next 12 to 18 months we'll be able to make space launch an everyday phrase," Mr Damp said.