Pictured: The W-2 Capsule as it re-enters over the Koonibba Test Range

South Australia has secured a huge advancement in its space industry capabilities with the announcement that 20 spacecraft re-entries will be managed at the Koonibba Test Range by 2028. This has been achieved through the recent partnership between US-based Varda Space Industries and Adelaide-based Southern Launch. This venture is the first instance globally where routine commercial orbital re-entry operations will be conducted.

Kicking off with two missions later this year, Varda will utilise the Koonibba Test Range for the recovery of its in-space manufacturing capsules. These capsules, having travelled to space as part of SpaceX rideshares, will return to Earth carrying payloads that include newly developed pharmace

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