Southern Launch expands national presence with Canberra office opening
Caption: L-R - Mr Michael Clausen, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission, United States Embassy Canberra, Mr Lloyd Damp, CEO, Southern Launch and Mr Andrew Barr MLA, Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory cutting the ribbon to open the Southern Launch Canberra office.
Southern Launch, has officially opened a Canberra office, reinforcing the company’s vital role in advancing Australia’s sovereign space and national security capabilities.
Located at Brindabella Business Park in the heart of Canberra's premier advanced aerospace precinct, the new office reflects the company’s continued growth following a $25 million capital raise backed by the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation. The Canberra office will support Southern Launch’s contribution to national priorities including sovereign capability, advanced manufacturing, emerging technologies, defence and continued growth of Australia’s space sector.
“Canberra sits at the heart of national policy development, defence capability planning and scientific research.” Said Lloyd Damp, CEO of Southern Launch.
“Having a presence here allows us to strengthen relationships and support the collaborative efforts required to build a globally competitive Australian space industry.”
The office was officially opened by Andrew Barr, MLA, Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory, and Michael Clausen, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy. Both acknowledged the opening as a significant milestone for Australia's expanding space sector and the increasing importance of international collaboration in defence and space capabilities.
Southern Launch is Australia’s leading space infrastructure company and has become a critical piece of the national defence and space ecosystem. Since being founded in 2017, Southern Launch has conducted many firsts for the Australian space industry including Australia’s first commercial space launch and the world’s first commercial spacecraft re-entry to a commercial spaceport.
Southern Launch has built an internationally renowned reputation for delivering world-class space mission services. The company has worked with organisations including Varda Space Industries, AtSpace, HyImpulse, Lux Aeterna and SpaceWorks Enterprises, while also supporting NASA-related mission activities, including the Artemis II mission.
These partnerships reflect the strong and growing collaboration between Australia and the global space sector, proving Australia as a leading destination for commercial space operations.
“The establishment of our Canberra office reflects both Southern Launch's growth and the increasing importance of Australia's space sector to our nation's future prosperity, security and technological advancement.”
The Canberra office will further strengthen Southern Launch's engagement with Federal Government agencies, Defence, research institutions and industry partners, supporting national priorities including sovereign capability, advanced manufacturing, emerging technologies, national security and economic growth.
Caption: The Southern Launch Executive team - Chief Risk Officer Justin Hill, Chief Operating Officer Rebecca Darcey, Director Mike Damp, CEO Lloyd Damp, Chief of Ranges and Infrastructure Tori Murray and Chief Growth Officer Mark Ramsey.