Southern Launch to Support Orbital Re-Entries of Lux Aeterna’s Reusable Satellites in South Australia
Southern Launch and Lux Aeterna have signed a contract to conduct orbital re-entries of Lux Aeterna’s reusable satellite infrastructure to the Koonibba Test Range in South Australia. The partnership will support the future of circular space manufacturing and operations with rapid, reliable, and flexible access to orbit, enabling governments, businesses, and research organizations to maximize the benefits of the space economy.
Under the agreement, two Lux Aeterna Delphi satellites will return to the Koonibba Test Range with Southern Launch. The first mission is targeted to return in 2027.
Lux Aeterna, based in Denver, Colorado, is developing a reusable satellite platform designed to operate in Low EarthOrbit and support defense, intelligence, and commercial missions such as technology demonstrations, hypersonic and materials testing, in-orbit servicing, and in-space manufacturing. The Delphi platform and its core components are engineered to withstand the thermal and structural demands of atmospheric re-entry, enabling routine return and recovery of both the satellite bus and payload to support expedited technology development.
“Lux Aeterna’s mission is to make repeatable space operations as routine as reusable launch services,” said Lux Aeterna Founder and CEO Brian Taylor. “Partnering with Southern Launch enables us to conduct missions at the cadence we require to validate key elements of our reusable satellite platform and deliver outcomes for the broader space community.”
Under the partnership, Southern Launch will provide end‑to‑end services for each orbital re-entry, including regulatory approvals, range operations, air and maritime coordination, and recovery operations.
“Southern Launch is the leading range service provider for orbital re-entries globally," said Southern Launch CEO Lloyd Damp. "Lux Aeterna is developing technology that is key for the future of in-space research and technology development, and we look forward to partnering with them to bring their spacecraft back to the Koonibba Test Range safely.”
The Koonibba Test Range in South Australia is one of the most ideal places globally to accept the return of space technology back to Earth thanks to low air traffic and more than 41,000 square kilometers of open land. Southern Launch operates the Koonibba Test Range in partnership with the Koonibba Community Aboriginal Corporation.
About Southern Launch
Southern Launch provides bespoke mission services for orbital launch, sub-orbital missions, orbital re-entries and range services for the global space industry. Southern Launch provides an end-to-end service for missions including sourcing all regulatory approvals, managing logistics, coordinating range management, and leading recovery operations. The company is headquartered in Adelaide and operates two world-class spaceports the Koonibba Test Range and Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex.
Southern Launch Media Contact: Amy Featherston, General Manager, Sales & Marketing, Southern Launch, +61 400 456 016, media@southernlaunch.space
About Lux Aeterna
Lux Aeterna is building the world’s first fleet of reusable satellites to transform the future of space operations. Our vehicles offer high-tempo, reliable, and flexible access to orbit and back with flight-proven hardware and accurate re-entry. We serve defense, intelligence, commercial, and in-space manufacturing customers with a fleet-based model designed to scale alongside the evolving launch ecosystem. By introducing reusability and decoupling the satellite bus from payload development, we help customers reduce risk, iterate faster, and conduct critical post-mission analysis. Our engineering facility in Denver, Colo., is the hub for design, development, and testing as we prepare for our first demonstration mission in 2027.
Lux Aeterna Media Contact: Kristin Cody, +1 703 350 6753, kristin@astraeastrategies.com