AtSpace A01 Rocket Achieves Altitude Record in Australian Test Flight

The Brisbane-based rocket manufacturer AtSpace successfully executed the suborbital test flight of its A01 vehicle on November 27, 2025, at 09:22 local time. The launch, conducted at Southern Launch's Koonibba Test Range in South Australia, established a new altitude benchmark for commercial rocketry developed in Australia. The 12.2-meter tall A01 vehicle completed its mission profile, reaching an altitude approaching the 80-kilometer target within a flight duration of approximately four and a half minutes.

This ascent validates the initial testing phase of AtSpace's proprietary hybrid propulsion technology and represents a new altitude record for any commercial rocket originating from Australia. Key personnel observing the milestone included AtSpace Chief Operating Officer Nick Chang and Southern Launch Chief Executive Officer Lloyd Damp. The operations were facilitated by Southern Launch, which has been instrumental in establishing Australia’s presence in the global space sector, following the nation's first commercial space return in 2025.

The successful mission underscores a vital collaborative framework, as the Koonibba Test Range itself was developed in partnership with the Koonibba Community Aboriginal Corporation (KCAC). KCAC CEO Corey McLennan noted the significance of community support for First Nations people during the launch event. COO Nick Chang affirmed that the flight proves the viability of AtSpace's hybrid rocket technology, providing crucial data for the next phase: designing and testing future orbital launch vehicles based on the A01 architecture.

Southern Launch CEO Lloyd Damp highlighted that the mission accelerated the development of their hybrid propulsion system capabilities, utilizing the world-class infrastructure at Koonibba, which is the largest commercial rocket testing facility in the Southern Hemisphere. Hybrid rocket technology is gaining global traction for small satellite access due to its intrinsic safety, reliability, and lower production costs compared to bi-liquid systems. This domestic achievement contrasts with concurrent international activities, such as the scrubbing of the SpaceX Falcon 9 Transporter-15 mission, which was rescheduled for November 28, 2025.

The Koonibba Test Range, located 40 kilometers north-west of Ceduna, South Australia, is the nation's first licensed space launch facility, specializing in suborbital launches and returns from space. The collaboration between AtSpace and Southern Launch at this site highlights a multi-faceted approach to building domestic space infrastructure, distinct from other national efforts like Gilmour Space Technologies' Eris rocket. The data gathered from the A01’s successful flight will now inform AtSpace's trajectory toward realizing orbital launch vehicles, supporting the broader ambition to establish Australia as a significant player in the global space economy.