Government approves Australia's first orbital spaceport
Make us a preferred source
Make us a preferred source on Google
The news: Gilmour Space's Bowen Orbital Spaceport in Queensland has been granted Australia's first orbital launch facility licence.
The numbers: Gold Coast-based startup Gilmour closed a $55 million Series D funding round last month for the manufacture, test and launch of rockets and satellites to orbit. The company, which was founded in 2015, has plans to increase its headcount from 100 to over 300 by mid-2027.
The context: Located within the Abbot Point State Development Area in north Queensland, the Bowen Orbital Spaceport is built and operated by Gilmour, which offers commercial orbital launch services to Low Earth Orbits.
Gilmour said the licence, granted by minister for industry and science Ed Husic, is a vote of confidence in the company's technical capability and paves the way for the launch of Australia’s first sovereign-made rockets. The company has also secured approval from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water enabling the operation of the spaceport at Abbot Point.
Gilmour's Eris Orbital Launch Vehicle, a three-stage rocket capable of launching small satellites into low earth orbits, is expected to launch in the coming months, pending approvals from the Australian Space Agency.
What they said: Gilmour Space co-founder and CEO Adam Gilmour said: "Australia now has its own ‘road’ to space. The ability to launch our own satellites, on launch vehicles that we own and control, to key orbits in space from Australia, will be a significant capability for our global customers, as well as for our nation and allies".
Fellow co-founder and head of launch operations James Gilmour said: “It’s been two years since we started the project, engaging with the Juru traditional owners and other stakeholders at the local, state and federal levels".
"We've seen these efforts lead to diversified business opportunities, jobs, and investment in Bowen and greater Whitsunday region; and it will be exciting to see ‘rocket tourism' emerging to support the local economy," he said.
The source: Gilmour Space Technologies media release
