Lloyd Damp is CEO of Southern Launch and is at the forefront of the space industry in Australia. He founded Southern Launch in 2017 and the company conducted the first commercial space launch from Australian soil in 2020 and Australia’s first commercial space return in 2025.
Today, Southern Launch employs 30 people and operates two licensed space launch and return facilities in Koonibba and Whalers Way on the Eyre Peninsula of South Australia. These multi-user space launch facilities have been used by domestic and international customers with the Koonibba Test Range hosting the launch of the first high-powered rocket under Australian legislation.
Lloyd leads a team dedicated to developing world-class space launch and return facilities in South Australia and providing bespoke solutions for customers. Lloyd’s vision is to build a connected space industry centred around domestic launch and return capabilities to establish Australia as the next global space hub.
Prior to starting Southern Launch, Lloyd spent over 12 years working for the Australian Government specialising in complex program design and delivery. While there Lloyd also played a small part in helping Australia undertake regular rocket launches into space from Woomera.