• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to secondary sidebar
  • NEWS:
  • SatNews
  • SatMagazine
  • MilSatMagazine
  • SmallSat News
  • |     EVENTS:
  • SmallSat Symposium
  • Satellite Innovation

SatNews

  • HOME
  • Magazines
  • Events
  • Perspectives
  • Industry Calendar
    • IN PERSON
    • VIRTUAL
  • Subscribe

German Aerospace Centre Signs Cooperation Agreement With Australia’s Southern Launch

October 19, 2020

DLR ReFEx in space.

Building on the MoU that was previously signed between DLR – Space Operations and Astronaut Training – and Southern Launch on March 26, 2020, the organizations have now signed a Cooperation Agreement further enhancing their relationship.

The Cooperation Agreement aims to implement joint civilian research activities in the field of suborbital and orbital space launch, especially in the field of reusable launch vehicles (RLV). Working together on such activities is a major step towards further developing Southern Launch’s capabilities and launch sites to conduct safe and economically affordable rocket launches.

Southern Launch’s liftoff of TED-01 on September 19, 2020, from the Koonibba Test Range, followed shortly afterwards by TED-02. Both rockets carried payloads for DEWC Systems.

A notable spin-off from the agreement is that the organizations will work to establish an educational sounding rocket program in Australia, allowing universities to undertake space-based research projects from the Southern Hemisphere. The signing of the agreement follows the successful launch of two space capable rockets by Southern Launch at the Koonibba Test Range, both completed on September 19, 2020.

DLR is looking into the feasibility of using Southern Launch’s Koonibba Test Range for the testing of new rocket technologies and launch equipment, in line with DLR’s efforts to research and develop future reusable launcher technologies. Together, DLR and Southern Launch are working toward a launch date of the first DLR research mission in mid-2022. DLR has also released their video of the Reusable Flight Vehicle launch from South Australia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eerdVjl8M7I

A DART rocket carrying a Royal Australian Air Force payload was launched from Koonibba Rocket Range in South Australia on Saturday, September 19, 2020 — this marked the first commercial rocket launch to the edge of space from Australia.
Photo is courtesy of Sean Jorgensen-Day, DEWC Systems Engineer.

Executive Comment

“This cooperation unlocks flight testing potential that is not otherwise attainable through a joint effort by DLR and Southern Launch. It further strengthens and adds to Mobile Rocket Base’s cooperation with Australian research partners, adding to the growing collaboration of the two countries in space research and utilization,” said Rainer Kirchhartz, Head of DLR’s Mobile Rocket Base.

“We are very proud to be working with DLR on a number of rocket projects and look forward to contributing into an international space program such as DLR’s,” said Lloyd Damp, CEO of Southern Launch.

South Australian Premier Steven Marshall said the agreement showed the demand for launch within South Australia’s space industry. “This collaboration is further evidence of South Australia’s attractiveness to international space companies, thanks to our thriving local space industry and proven ability to facilitate successful rocket launches from within the state,” Premier Marshall said, adding, “There has never been a better time to be involved in the space industry in this age of global space exploration and advancement, and South Australia is the best place to centre Australia’s global space endeavors.”

Filed Under: Launch

Primary Sidebar

Most Read Stories

  • A OneWeb Satellite Is In Danger Of In-Space Collision
  • Virgin Orbit's Launch of First Satellite for Dutch Ministry of Defense
  • UPDATE 2: SpaceX Starship SN9 Sent Forth... Return Landing Is A RUD
  • Direct From SmallSat Symposium, Sir Richard Branson, Founder, Virgin Galactic, + Dan Hart, President + CEO, Virgin Orbit, Keynote Address
  • Direct From SmallSat Symposium: Responsive Launch Services Session

About Satnews

  • Contacts
  • History

Archives

  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020

Secondary Sidebar

x
Sign up Now (For Free)
Access daily or weekly satellite news updates covering all aspects of the commercial and military satellite industry.
Invalid email address
Notify Me Regarding ( At least one ):
We value your privacy and will not sell or share your email or other information with any other company. You may also unsubscribe at anytime.

Click Here to see our full privacy policy.
Thanks for subscribing!