The deal, signed by US company Varda and local company Southern Launch, positions South Australia as the first jurisdiction globally to deliver routine commercial orbital re-entry operations.
This announcement follows two missions facilitated by Southern Launch just 10 weeks apart in early 2025 and came days after the South Australian Government met with Varda at their global headquarters in California.
Key to SA’s pitch was the State Government’s support for and strong working relationship with Southern Launch, limiting potential roadblocks faced by Varda.
Southern Launch CEO, Lloyd Damp, said the new contract was a vote of confidence in their team and their facilities.
“With each successful mission, we’re proving that the Koonibba Test Range is the best place on Earth to bring space technology home,” he said.
“Routine re-entries are no longer a dream; they are happening now, and we are proud to lead the way alongside Varda.”
The 20 new missions – including two later this year – will see Varda’s in-space manufacturing capsules return to Earth with payloads that have made novel pharmaceuticals in orbit or conducted experiments in microgravity.
The capsules are launched as part of a SpaceX rideshare mission, before re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere at speeds of more than 30,000km/h where they land under parachute on South Australia’s west coast.
Varda’s Chief Revenue Officer, Eric Lasker, said their partnership with Southern Launch was the “lynchpin” to realizing this new economy.
“Products improved through production off Earth are within reach,” he said.
“…Varda’s increasing cadence is only possible due to the exceptional quality of work consistently delivered by the Southern Launch team.
“With this new contract we are thrilled to take another step towards the future.”
Geographically, South Australia is also one of few places in the world that can offer comparably safe, land-based returns.
Varda and Southern Launch are the two key commercial entities leading the emerging global orbital economy.
The Koonibba Test Range is operated by Southern Launch in partnership with the Koonibba Community Aboriginal Corporation.
