Gilmour Space raises $55m as it tracks toward first launch of Australian-built rocket
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The news: Venture-capital backed Gilmour Space Technologies has raised $55 million in a Series D funding round for the manufacture, test and launch of rockets and satellites to orbit. The maiden orbital launch is expected later this year.
The numbers: Gold-Coast-based Gilmour was founded in 2015 and says it has created over 100 jobs across Queensland so far. It plans to increase its headcount to over 300 by mid-2027.
The context: The company is building a diversified space services platform, including rocket and satellite production, and launch services from their exclusive Bowen Orbital Spaceport in North Queensland.
Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) led the raise along with Blackbird, Main Sequence and Australian superannuation funds HostPlus and HESTA.
Gilmour Space co-founder and CEO Adam Gilmour said the investment would allow the company to enhance Australia’s sovereign space and defence capabilities onshore, more manufacturing, and to hire and upskill Queenslanders.
The funding would support multiple launches and allow Gilmour Space to launch the first Australian-built rocket into orbit.
The Eris Orbital Launch Vehicle is a three-stage rocket capable of launching small satellites into low earth orbits. It is expected to launch in the coming months, pending approvals from the Australian Space Agency.
What they said: “Our vision is for rockets made and launched in Queensland, carrying satellites and other payloads to space for our global customers, and we’re incredibly grateful for the support of QIC in helping us realise that vision,” Gilmour said.
QIC private equity investment director Patrick Chistiansen said: “Never has an Australian-made, Australian-owned rocket launched into orbit, and we join the nation in eager anticipation as all eyes turn to Bowen for history to be written”.
The source: QIC media release
