Adam Gilmour’s long, perilous journey to attempting Australia's first rocket launch into orbit
Gilmour Space Technologies will soon seek to join SpaceX, Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin as it attempts to send its own rocket into orbit.
Adam Gilmour is hoping to make history. Gilmour Space Technologies, the startup he cofounded with his brother James in 2013, could this year become the first Australian company to launch a rocket into orbit.
If he can get regulatory approval, that is.
Gilmour spoke to Capital Brief as part of our In The Arena series, wherein we speak to founders about the biggest challenges they've faced and overcome. As Gilmour explains, he's currently in the eye of a storm — and the only way out is to wait patiently for a launch permit for the company's Eris rocket to get rubber stamped.
If the rocket's launch is a success, it will make Australia the 11th country to put a spacecraft into orbit. From there the action really begins, as Gilmour will be competing against the likes of SpaceX and Virgin Galactic for defence and commercial contracts. After raising $55 million in February, Gilmour Space Technologies was valued at over $600 million.
For Gilmour, the impending takeoff comes after 11 years at the helm of Gilmour Space Technologies, which he cofounded after a 20-year stint at Citi bank. He also spoke about the challenges that come along with funding and running a space startup in Australia, which included letting 30 employees go last year.
