A small commercial rocket has been launched from Australia to the edge of space for the first time. First commercial space capable rocket is followed by a second rocket within two hours.

At 10:09:47 am on 19 September, Southern Launch ignited Australia’s first commercial space-capable rocket at the Koonibba Test Range northwest of Ceduna in SA.

And in a second first for Australia, only an hour and forty minutes later at 11:49:47 am a second space capable launch was safely completed.

The rocket launch forms part of Air Force’s Plan Jericho advanced sensing program to detect and track challenging targets. It was also carrying an air force radio prototype. The program also includes high altitude balloon launches.

The federal government is investing $7bn in increasing Australia’s space capabilities over the next decade.