Capturing the First Commercial Spacecraft Re-entry in Australia
History in the Making: Capturing the First Commercial Spacecraft Re-entry in Australia
Re-entry over Ceduna - Sony A7IV
There are moments in life that feel like they’re straight out of a movie. This was one of them. As a mission photographer, I had the honour of capturing history—the first-ever re-entry of a commercial spacecraft into Australia. The mission took place over Ceduna, South Australia, and my task was simple in description but monumental in execution: to photograph the spacecraft’s fiery descent through Earth’s atmosphere.
The Challenge of the Unknown
Unlike other missions, this was a world-first, meaning there was very little intel on how exactly the re-entry would unfold. The only guidance I had was that it would look similar to a shooting star. Fortunately, my experience capturing meteors and fireballs gave me an approach—set up as if I was shooting a high-speed celestial event and trusting my instincts were correct.
Gear Selection: Trusting the Proven
One thing I learned from my Olympic competition days is to never go into battle with an unproven weapon. That philosophy guided my camera and lens choices. I opted for gear that I had used extensively, that I knew inside and out, and that I could operate flawlessly in complete darkness. In total, I had five cameras set up to maximise my chances of success:
Sony A7IV with Laowa 10mm – A massive wide field of view to ensure I didn’t miss anything.
Sony A7III with 14mm f/1.8 – A solid, fast lens for broad capture.
Sony A7SIII with 14mm f/1.8 – Loaned by Sony for the occasion, giving me an extra ultra-wide perspective.
Sony A7III with 20mm f/1.8 – A slightly tighter frame for another angle.
Sony A7SIII with 50mm f/1.4 – A close-up perspective to try and capture fine details of the re-entry.
My exposures were dialled in as if I was capturing a Milky Way timelapse, ensuring I had the best chance of properly exposing the spacecraft’s streak across the sky.
Mission Gear
The Moment of Truth
Inside mission control, I was surrounded by some of the world’s leading scientists and aerospace professionals. My internal space nerd was running overtime. One hour before the expected re-entry, it was time to move to the observation area. I set up all five tripods, tested the gear one last time, checked battery levels, and ensured everything was ready.
At around 12:45 AM, the call came through—it was happening. From the horizon, a brilliant fireball emerged, moving across the sky, burning hotter than the surface of the Sun. It was like watching a plane on fire, except this was no ordinary aircraft—it was a spacecraft returning from orbit. With only seconds to adjust, I made final camera alignments, then stepped back and let them do their job.
The spectacle lasted for about a minute before the capsule disappeared into the darkness. Then came the moment of truth—checking my cameras. And there it was: the shot. I had successfully captured the historic re-entry on all five cameras. Even more astonishing, the 50mm lens revealed detailed breakup images of the spacecraft’s structure.
Rentry - Sony A7s3 / Sony 50mm 1.4GM
I walked over to one of the scientists and showed them the images. Their reaction said it all—this was the culmination of years of hard work and dedication to pushing human exploration forward. Seeing their excitement and knowing that my photography had preserved that moment forever was the ultimate reward.
Day Two: The Recovery Mission
If the first night felt like a movie, the second day felt like something straight out of Independence Day. Aboard what looked like a Black Hawk helicopter, I joined the team tasked with locating and recovering the capsule from the Australian outback.
Upon arrival, the scene was breathtaking. The spacecraft had landed in a classic red, sunburnt desert landscape, a stark contrast to the sleek technology that had just returned from orbit. My goal for this shoot was to capture not just the capsule itself but also the raw, untamed environment in which it had landed—a moment where cutting-edge science met the rugged beauty of Australia’s interior.
As scientists worked to prepare the capsule for its return to mission control, I documented every moment, knowing that these images would tell the story of an historic first.
A Moment to Remember
I have no doubt that more of these missions will take place in the future. But this was the first in Australian history; a moment I will always cherish. To have been part of it, to have captured it, and to have contributed to its legacy—it’s an experience that will stay with me forever.
Final Thoughts
This mission reinforced a truth I’ve always believed: Photography isn’t just about taking pictures; it’s about preserving moments that define human achievement. Capturing the first commercial spacecraft re-entry in Australia was one of those moments, and I am honoured to have been there, camera in hand, witnessing history in the making.
