Gilmour Space Technologies encouraged by historic launch despite crash
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More news: Gilmour Space Technologies has hailed the passing of a major milestone after the historic first test launch of its Australian-made Eris-1 Orbital Rocket, even though it was over in about 14 seconds.
The company said initial data indicates that key systems such as ignition, liftoff, first-stage thrust, range tracking and telemetry “performed well” until an anomaly led to “early termination”. The cause of the anomaly is currently under review.
TestFlight 1 was “the first integrated attempt of an orbital-class rocket designed and built entirely in Australia”, according to the company. It featured about 23 seconds of engine burn.
It required the support of 200 Gilmour staff, more than 500 Australian suppliers and coordination with a slew of regulators including the Australian Space Agency, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, Air Services Australia and Maritime authorities.
Gilmour Space said there were no injuries or adverse environmental impacts.
What they said: “Space is hard. SpaceX, Rocket Lab and others needed multiple test flights to reach orbit. We've learned a tremendous amount that will go directly into improving our next vehicle, which is already in production,” Gilmour Space CEO Adam Gilmour said in a statement.
“Getting off the pad and into flight is a huge step forward for any new rocket program. This was the first real test of our rocket systems, our propulsion technology, and our spaceport — and it proved that much of what we've built works."
Gilmour Space Technologies' first test launch ends with crash
The news: Gilmour Space Technologies has completed the first test launch of its Eris-1 Orbital Rocket. It crashed within seconds of lifting off the launchpad.
The context: The rocket was launched from Gilmour’s Bowen Orbital Spaceport on Wednesday morning around 8:30am AEST.
In unofficial footage of the test, the rocket appears to lift off slightly above the launchpad tower but then veers off course and crashes into the ground. This is followed by plumes of white smoke billowing out from the site.
It was the first orbital launch attempt from Australia in more than 50 years, according to the company, and the first orbital launch attempt for a locally made rocket.
A launch permit for Eris TestFlight1 was received from the Australian Space Agency in November 2024 after a more than two year wait.
An attempt to launch the rocket on Tuesday was scrubbed due to high winds.
Plans for the test launch earlier this year were scuppered on several occasions due to poor weather conditions and technical faults.
The company is hoping to test its hypersonics launch services for suborbital flight testing above speeds five times faster than the speed of sound later this year. It was first announced in July 2024.
Earlier this month it signed a strategic partnership with Japanese space business integrator Space BD to deliver satellite launch services on Gilmour’s Eris rockets and ElaraSat satellite bus.
Gilmour’s first ElaraSat satellite bus was launched and deployed on the SpaceX Transporter-14 launch on 24 June.
What they said: "Got off the Pad, I am happy. Of course I would have liked more flight time but happy with this," Gilmour Space CEO Adam Gilmour said in a post on LinkedIn.
The sources: Gilmour Space Technologies media release, Gilmour Space Technologies website
