Reaction Dynamics has signed a contract with Southern Launch to conduct the inaugural launch and flight of their RE-102 hybrid rocket engine and Aurora vehicle from the Koonibba Test Range in Australia in 2025.
The Aurora suborbital mission will serve as the maiden flight qualification test for Reaction Dynamics’ rocket engine within the vacuum of space. This two-stage vehicle is designed to reach an altitude of 125 km above Earth, providing critical performance data and demonstrating Reaction Dynamics’ technological capabilities in preparation for future orbital missions.
The Aurora mission will focus on the validation of Reaction Dynamics’ RE-102 hybrid rocket engine, which leverages a groundbreaking advancement as part of the first-ever hybrid propulsion system family to incorporate a regeneratively-cooled thrust chamber assemblies.
This flight will mark a historic milestone as the one of the first demos of a hybrid rocket engine operating in space. The Aurora suborbital rocket is 7.3 meters tall and will launch from the Mid-Range Launch Rail that Southern Launch has onsite for customers to use at the Koonibba Test Range.
“Southern Launch exists to help companies like Reaction Dynamics test their breakthrough technology,”” said Southern Launch CEO Lloyd Damp. ‘We are proud to be hosting the Aurora suborbital mission from the Koonibba Test Range. This mission will test a novel hybrid propulsion system which will ultimately result in technological breakthroughs that will propel the entire space industry forward. Having our Mid-Range Launch Rail installed and ready to go at the Koonibba Test Range means we can maintain a level of flexibility in our mission timeframes to meet our customer’s requirements. Every mission conducted by Southern Launch is a true partnership with our customer and we are looking forward to welcoming Reaction Dynamics to South Australia.’ Reaction Dynamics will visit the Koonibba Test Range later this year with the Aurora mission scheduled to launch in 2025. Southern Launch operates the Koonibba Test Range in partnership with the Koonibba Community Aboriginal Corporation.”
Reaction Dynamics CEO Bachar Elzein said, “We believe that the RE-102 hybrid rocket engine will be the most efficient hybrid rocket engine in the world. Extensive hot fire tests have shown the that the engine is able to maintain performance during prolonged burn periods thanks to our patented innovations. We are eager to put this technology to the test in the vacuum of space during our upcoming suborbital mission from the Koonibba Test Range.”
About Southern Launch
Southern Launch is a launch and range service provider, headquartered in Adelaide, South Australia. Southern Launch operates the Koonibba Test Range and Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex. The Koonibba Test Range is one of the largest commercial rocket testing facilities in the world. The range is used to launch sub-orbital missions and accept re-entries of space technology. The Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex at the tip of the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia supports high-cadence orbital launches into the highly sought after polar and sun synchronous orbits. Southern Launch expands space exploration from the Southern Hemisphere with end-to-end launch services for every space mission.
About Reaction Dynamics
Reaction Dynamics was founded in 2017 after developing a breakthrough hybrid propulsion technology that solves the problems of classical hybrid rocket engines. Reaction Dynamics’ propulsion systems can burn for longer while maintaining highly efficient combustion. This technology enables Reaction Dynamics to offer dedicated launches at a third of the price of competitive smallsat launchers, while offering lower environmental impacts and a more responsive approach. Reaction Dynamics also offers in space propulsion solutions derived from its core rocket technologies.