Astrophysicist and cosmologist Dr Brad Tucker explains the complexities of launching rockets out of South Australia.

Aerospace company Southern Launch was due to launch one of the biggest commercial rockets ever launched in Australia this afternoon over the South Australian outback.

The Light This Candle mission is so-called because it deploys propulsion technology that combines candle wax with liquid oxygen.

“Weather is always an issue; you want to make sure the winds aren’t blowing around too much,” Dr Tucker told Sky News Australia.

“The ideal rocket place is a desert at the equator.”

“You also do want predictable weather, which is one of the advantages down there.”