Inovor announces SA spacecraft launch

South Australian space companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at launching a rocket and a spacecraft with an interfaced electronic warfare payload from the Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex (WWOLC) near Port Lincoln on Eyre Peninsula.

Spaceport operator Southern Launch, ATSpace Australia, Asension (formerly DEWC Systems), and Inovor Technologies will utilise ATSpace’s Kestrel I launch vehicle, a 10-metre, two-stage rocket to launch multiple payloads to more than 200 kilometres above Earth.

Onboard will be a mission specific spacecraft designed and manufactured by Inovor Technologies. The Inovor Technologies spacecraft will interface with an electronic warfare payload designed and built by Asension.

Inovor Technologies will also be testing its communication protocols during the suborbital flight. Approvals are still required from the Australian Space Agency. CEO of Asension Ian Spencer highlighted the coming together of and strength of the South Australian space industry.

“In South Australia we are very fortunate to not only be home to the Australian Space Agency but to also have a growing ecosystem of space companies dedicated to the establishment and operation of a world class and sovereign space industry capability.

“This launch will demonstrate the power of this ability to collaborate and rapidly deploy Australian payload to space in Australian spacecraft from Australian soil.”

CEO of Southern Launch Lloyd Damp said: “We have always said that launch facilities create a centre of gravity.

The mid-July  announcement is all about different South Australian companies coming together to demonstrate an end to end space capability from payload development through to rocket manufacture and onto space launch.”

“This is the start of something fantastic not only for the state but for us as a nation here in Australia.

By: Peter Roberts

From: https://www.aumanufacturing.com.au/inovor-technologies-announces-spacecraft-launch