ADELAIDE, Australia, and DENVER, Colorado — In a move that signals a significant shift toward circular space manufacturing, Southern Launch and Lux Aeterna have finalized a contract to conduct orbital re-entries of reusable satellite infrastructure at the Koonibba Test Range in South Australia.
This strategic partnership aims to provide the global space industry with rapid, reliable, and flexible access to orbit, allowing government, commercial, and research entities to maximize the economic and scientific potential of in-space operations.
Under the terms of the agreement, two of Lux Aeterna’s Delphi satellites are slated to return to Earth at the Koonibba facility, with the inaugural mission currently targeted for 2027. This collaboration underscores a shared vision for a sustainable space ecosystem where hardware is not merely discarded after a single use but recovered and repurposed.
Lux Aeterna, headquartered in Denver, is currently developing a sophisticated reusable satellite platform engineered for Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The Delphi platform is specifically designed to support a wide array of missions, ranging from defense and intelligence gathering to hypersonic testing, materials science, and in-orbit servicing. By engineering the satellite bus and core components to withstand the intense thermal and structural stresses of atmospheric re-entry, Lux Aeterna facilitates the routine recovery of both the spacecraft and its payload, thereby accelerating technology development cycles.
Brian Taylor, Founder and CEO of Lux Aeterna, emphasized that the company’s mission is to make repeatable space operations as routine as reusable launch services have become. He noted that partnering with Southern Launch provides the necessary operational cadence to validate the reusable platform and deliver tangible outcomes for the broader space community.
Southern Launch will serve as the end-to-end service provider for these re-entry missions. The company’s responsibilities encompass securing regulatory approvals, managing range operations, coordinating air and maritime safety, and leading the physical recovery of the hardware upon landing.
Lloyd Damp, CEO of Southern Launch, expressed pride in the company’s position as a global leader in orbital re-entry services. He highlighted that the technology Lux Aeterna is developing is a critical component for the future of in-space research and stated that the Southern Launch team looks forward to bringing the Delphi spacecraft home safely to the Koonibba Test Range.
The Koonibba Test Range is uniquely suited for such operations, offering over 41,000 square kilometers of uninhabited land and minimal air traffic. Operated in partnership with the Koonibba Community Aboriginal Corporation, the range provides a secure and expansive environment for the complex logistics required for high-velocity re-entry and recovery.
About the Partners
Southern Launch provides bespoke mission services for orbital launch, sub-orbital missions, and orbital re-entries for the global space industry. The company offers a comprehensive service suite that includes regulatory navigation, logistics, and range management. Based in Adelaide, Southern Launch operates two world-class facilities: the Koonibba Test Range and the Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex.
Lux Aeterna is building the world’s first fleet of reusable satellites to transform the future of space operations. Their vehicles offer high-tempo, reliable, and flexible access to orbit and back with flight-proven hardware and accurate re-entry capabilities. Serving defense, intelligence, and commercial customers, Lux Aeterna utilizes a fleet-based model designed to scale with the evolving launch ecosystem. Their engineering facility in Denver serves as the hub for the design and testing of the Delphi platform as they prepare for their 2027 demonstration mission.