Southern Launch and the Koonibba community have developed an immersive experience for attendees at the 2025 International Astronautical Congress (IAC).
The experience transports participants from the heart of Sydney to the Far West Coast of South Australia, sharing the story of partnership behind the creation of the Koonibba Test Range, Australia’s first spaceport.
Attendees can step into a six-metre mirrored tunnel at the South Australian Space Industry Centre stand at IAC to take part in the experience. Once inside, viewers are fitted with headphones and a haptic sub-woofer vest, allowing them to feel the unique experience as they travel to space, before returning to the Koonibba region.
The project brings together the perspectives of the Koonibba locals Auntie Wanda, Auntie Wendy and Southern Launch CEO Lloyd Damp.
At the heart of the experience are the voices of the Aunties, respected Elders and cultural leaders within the community. Their stories provide a perspective of Koonibba’s connection’s relationship with Southern Launch, space and their aspirations for the future.
The project has been a collaboration between Southern Launch, creative technology company Convergen, sound designer Hamish Keen, and cinematographer Justin Broughton. Convergen worked closely with Southern Launch to shape the vision and creative direction for the project, which brings together the perspectives with moments from the company’s progress over the past few years. Convergen also produced the visual effects, editorial, post-production, and technical delivery.
Hamish Keen, a South Australian sound designer with extensive Hollywood experience, spent days between Koonibba and the Adelaide sound studios to capture the sounds and voices of the Koonibba community, and design the sonic worlds that shape the experience.Justin Broughton has been working with Southern Launch and the Koonibba community for more than three years, and his deep connection with this small community is evident in the powerful images captured.
