Southern Launch has signed an agreement with U.S.-based space company Lux Aeterna to support future orbital re-entry missions at the Koonibba Test Range in South Australia, marking another step toward routine satellite recovery and circular space operations.
Under the contract, Southern Launch will host the controlled re-entry and recovery of Lux Aeterna’s reusable Delphi satellites, with the first mission targeted for return in 2027. Two Delphi spacecraft are currently planned under the agreement.
Lux Aeterna, headquartered in Denver, is developing a reusable satellite platform designed for operations in low Earth orbit, with applications across defence, intelligence and commercial sectors. Intended mission profiles include technology demonstrations, materials and hypersonic testing, in-orbit servicing and space-based manufacturing. The Delphi platform is engineered to withstand the thermal and structural stresses of atmospheric re-entry, enabling both payloads and satellite buses to be recovered and reused.
Southern Launch will provide end-to-end range services for each mission, including regulatory approvals, coordination of airspace and maritime exclusion zones, range operations and recovery activities.
Lux Aeterna founder and chief executive Brian Taylor said access to reliable re-entry infrastructure is critical to validating reusable satellite systems and supporting faster technology development cycles.
Southern Launch chief executive Lloyd Damp said the partnership reflects growing demand for controlled orbital re-entry services as satellite operators seek to move beyond single-use spacecraft. He said the Koonibba Test Range is well suited to recovery operations due to its geographic isolation and scale.
South Australia’s Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Joe Szakacs, welcomed the agreement, describing it as further evidence of the state’s growing role in the global space sector and its ability to attract international investment.
The Koonibba Test Range covers more than 41,000 square kilometres of sparsely populated land with low air traffic density. Southern Launch operates the range in partnership with the Koonibba Community Aboriginal Corporation, supporting both space industry growth and local community participation.
The agreement adds to a growing portfolio of orbital and suborbital activities being developed in South Australia, as operators explore new models for reusable spacecraft, in-space manufacturing and sustainable space operations.
