Southern Launch has signed a contract with Canadian rocket manufacturer Reaction Dynamics to conduct the inaugural launch and flight of their RE-102 hybrid rocket engine and Aurora vehicle from the Koonibba Test Range in 2025.
The Aurora suborbital mission will serve as the maiden flight qualification test for Reaction Dynamics’ rocket engine within the vacuum of space. This two-stage vehicle is designed to reach an altitude of 125 kilometres above Earth, providing critical performance data and demonstrating Reaction Dynamics’ technological capabilities in preparation for future orbital missions. This flight will mark a historic milestone as one of the first demonstrations of a hybrid rocket engine operating in space.
“Southern Launch exists to help companies like Reaction Dynamics test their breakthrough technology,” said Southern Launch CEO Lloyd Damp. “We are proud to be hosting the Aurora suborbital mission from the Koonibba Test Range. This mission will test a novel hybrid propulsion system which will ultimately result in technological breakthroughs that will propel the entire space industry forward.”
The Aurora mission will focus on the validation of Reaction Dynamics’ RE-102 hybrid rocket engine, which leverages a groundbreaking advancement as part of the first-ever hybrid propulsion system family to incorporate a regeneratively-cooled thrust chamber assemblies.
Announcement made at the Australian Stand at IAC 2024, Milan, Italy by (left) Maxime Goulet-Bourdon, COO of Reaction Dynamics and Daniele Dallari of Southern Launch
“We believe that the RE-102 hybrid rocket engine will be the most efficient hybrid rocket engine in the world,” said Reaction Dynamics CEO Bacher Elzein. “Extensive hot fire tests have shown that the engine is able to maintain performance during prolonged burn periods thanks to our patented innovations. We are eager to put this technology to the test in the vacuum of space during our upcoming suborbital mission from the Koonibba Test Range.”
The Aurora suborbital rocket is 7.3 metres tall and will launch from the Mid-Range Launch Rail that Southern Launch has onsite for customers to use at the Koonibba Test Range.
“Having our Mid-Range Launch Rail installed and ready to go at the Koonibba Test Range means we can maintain a level of flexibility in our mission timeframes to meet our customer’s requirements,” said Damp. “Every mission conducted by Southern Launch is a true partnership with our customer and we are looking forward to welcoming Reaction Dynamics to South Australia.”
Reaction Dynamics will visit the Koonibba Test Range later this year with the Aurora mission scheduled to launch in 2025.
Southern Launch operates the Koonibba Test Range in partnership with the Koonibba Community Aboriginal Corporation.
