Two South Australian companies, Ferretti International and Hydroil have been selected to build a transportable rocket launcher.
The mobile launch rail will be used at Southern Launch’s two testing and launch sites on the Eyre Peninsular.
Southern Launch chief executive Lloyd Damp says the project would create more than 10 local manufacturing jobs.
“This offers greater flexibility in the space launch locations available in South Australia and strengthens our position as the space state in Australia,” he said.
The project is the first in the space sector for Ferretti, a pipe fabrication and structural steel company which already employs more than 100 staff across Adelaide and Whyalla.
Ferretti business development manager Scott Searle said the project has the potential to open up more opportunities in the space sector.
“Ensuring that Australia is home to strong manufacturing sector is extremely important to us,” he said.
Hydroil general manager Paul Dreimann says the company manufactures for the mining, construction, transport, energy, and aviation industries with the project the first in the space sector.
“The skilled workforce we maintain in South Australia means we have the flexibility and expertise to take on new challenges such as this one for Southern Launch,” he said.
The project is being funded by a near one million dollar grant to Southern Launch as part of the Australian Space Agency Moon to Mars program.