Southern Launch has signed a contract with South Korean launch service provider INNOSPACE to conduct space missions from Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex and Koonibba Proving Ground in South Australia.
The agreement allows INNOSPACE to carry out a number of missions from the Southern Launch Spaceport, including orbital launches of satellites and demonstration flights of suborbital technologies. Operations within the framework of the partnership are planned to begin in 2026 year. Cooperation will last at least ten years, which will strengthen South Australia's role in the global space launch sector.
INNOSPACE has become a significant player in the global launch market after achieving several key milestones. The company was the first private South Korean firm, which successfully launched the HANBIT-TLV test apparatus in 2023 year, showing off its hybrid rocket engine with thrust 150 kN during a suborbital flight from the Brazilian Alcantara Space Center.
Since this mission, INNOSPACE has continued to advance technologies for orbital-class propulsion and is expanding discussions with potential customers for future orbital and suborbital launch opportunities.
Sujong Kim, founder and CEO of INNOSPACE, stated, that the deal with Southern Launch strengthens the company's international launch capabilities. "This expanded network of launch sites allows us to respond more flexibly to a variety of mission needs – from satellite launches and technology demonstrations to space manufacturing product return missions – while further enhancing our commercialization competitiveness with dedicated rapid launch services and multi-launch operations structures.".
Southern Launch said, that the contract with INNOSPACE demonstrates the ability of its infrastructure at Whalers Way and Koonibba to support a high mission frequency, covering suborbital and orbital launches.
Source: https://www.spacedaily.com