Launching into space from Koonibba
The Koonibba community in South Australia is enjoying the economic benefits and excitement that comes from the growing space satellite industry.
On 19 September, the remote Aboriginal community of Koonibba, South Australia got a taste of the 21st century space satellite industry.
More than 100 community members, scientists and engineers witnessed two rockets blast off northwards from Koonibba at five times the speed of sound.
The roar of each 3.4m long, 34kg DART rocket engine and sight of its gas trail rapidly ascending into the cloudy sky was awe-inspiring for those lucky enough to be there.
Southern Launch, an Adelaide based rocket company, built and launched the rockets, which carried payloads (small cargo) for DEWC Systems.
Each rocket travelled over 100km into the atmosphere and released their payloads, which fell back to earth under parachute. Community members assisted the scientists and engineers to recover stage 1 of each rocket.
Corey McLennan is Chief Executive Officer of Koonibba Community Aboriginal Corporation.
‘There was a sense of pride and achievement, as well as excitement from the children,’ he said.
‘They are now dreaming of becoming astronauts and rocket scientists.’
They also dream of becoming helicopter pilots after community children and adults enjoyed free helicopter rides arranged by DEWC Systems.
Corey said the build up to the launch was exciting for Koonibba, especially for the children who decorated the community with rocket related artwork.
Koonibba Community currently leases land to Southern Launch for the rocket test-range facility.
Koonibba’s location, with a National Park to the north of the community, provides perfect conditions for the recovery of rockets and satellite payloads, to inform design and development of next generation technologies.
It is likely that such test launches will occur on a regular basis and provide some employment opportunities to Koonibba community members as security officers, drivers and in traffic management.
Southern Launch hopes to get a piece of the small rocket launch industry which, over the next few years, is estimated to be $15 billion.
And the Koonibba community is pleased to be part of the company’s Sub-Orbital launch program.
Find out more
For more information, visit Southern Launch.