Gilmour Space Technologies postpones rocket launch due to fault
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The news: The maiden launch of Gilmour Space Technologies’ Eris rocket has been pushed back after an electrical fault was discovered during testing overnight, delaying Australia’s first sovereign orbital rocket launch by at least a few weeks.
The context: The electrical fault inadvertently deployed the carbon-fibre nose cone designed to protect the rocket’s payload during ascent and will require a replacement to be sent from Gilmour’s Gold Coast manufacturing facility to its launchpad in Bowen.
The latest launch window was open for the two weeks from Thursday, although technical issues stymied any attempt on the first day. A new target launch window will be announced at a later date.
The company received its launch permit for Eris TestFlight1 from the Australian Space Agency in November 2024 after more than two years, and it had initially hoped to launch in March 2025, although hopes were dashed by Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
What they said: “The good news is our team and rocket are both fine. While we’re disappointed by the delay, we’re already working through a resolution and expect to be back on the pad soon,” Gilmour Space CEO Adam Gilmour said.
“As always, safety is our highest priority. We’ll take the time needed to identify and resolve the issue before resuming launch operations.”
The source: Gilmour Space Technologies media release
