ATSpace to launch Kestrel rocket

Rocket manufacturer ATSpace and spaceport operator Southern Launch have announced approval from the federal government to launch two suborbital “Kestrel I” rockets from the Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex in South Australia.

The VS02 and VS03 missions will fly the experimental Kestrel I rockets along sub-orbital trajectories to test the rocket design under different operating conditions.

The collection of rocket launch noise data during lift-off will contribute valuable knowledge into the planned future operation of the Whalers Way complex, located at the tip of Eyre Peninsula.

ATSpace CEO Dr YenSen Chen said the launches were significant in testing the performance of the Kestrel I systems and paving the way for ATSpace to become a leading player in Australia’s emerging space industry.

ATSpace is a sister company to Taiwanese rocket developer TiSPACE, which in November opened a facility at Wingfield, Adelaide, with support from the Global Australia program of the Australian Trade and Investment Commission.

In September, earlier launch attempts by TiSPACE failed to lift off at Whalers Way.

Dr Chen said: “These two suborbital launches will provide us with valuable data to validate our future Kestrel V orbital design.

“It’s only possible to attain the technical maturity through well-planned test launches. VS02 and VS03 are part of the equation for us to reach that status.”

Southern Launch’s CEO Mr Lloyd Damp said the VS02 and VS03 launches would provide a significant amount of data that will be used to inform best practice during future launch campaigns and the development of South Australia’s space industry.

Damp said: “Southern Launch is committed to advancing a sustainable local space launch industry in Australia.

“This industry will create new high-paying, skilled jobs for regional and rural Australians and in doing so, will advance Australia’s science and technology capabilities.”

The launches have received support from the South Australian government.

Picture: Southern Launch/ATSpace CEO Dr. Yensen Chen (left) and Southern Lunch CEO Lloyd Damp in front of a Kestrel I rocket

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