Wind, operational delays force Gilmour Space launch postponement

The news: The launch window for the first test flight of Gilmour Space's Eris rocket has been pushed back to 27 July after “operational delays” and the “latest upper wind forecasts” ruled out a safe launch this week.

The context: Initially targeting a 16-20 July launch window, Gilmour Space said operational delays had pushed the launch back by a day before the latest upper wind forecasts stymied efforts altogether.

Wind conditions delayed plans for a launch attempt earlier this month while plans in May were scuppered by an electrical fault that inadvertently deployed the carbon-fibre nose cone designed to protect the rocket’s payload during ascent.

Plans in March were also scrapped because of Cyclone Alfred.

What they said: “Not the outcome we hoped for, but that's the nature of test flights. Chin up and eyes forward to [no earlier than] 27 July,” Gilmour said on its website.