The eagerly anticipated maiden launch of Australia's first homegrown orbital rocket has been delayed after a technical issue halted proceedings just hours before liftoff.
Credit: Gilmour Space Technologies
Queensland-based aerospace company Gilmour Space Technologies had planned to launch its Eris rocket from the Bowen Orbital Spaceport on May 15. However, a malfunction involving the rocket’s payload fairing forced the team to postpone the mission.
“During final checks last night, an unexpected issue triggered the rocket’s payload fairing. No fuel was loaded, no one was injured, and early inspections show no damage to the rocket or launch pad,” the company shared on social media platform X.
Gilmour Space confirmed that a replacement fairing will be dispatched from its Gold Coast manufacturing facility following a comprehensive investigation. The company has stood down from the current test campaign and will announce a new launch date once the issue is resolved. In a lighthearted note, Gilmour assured followers that the mission's payload—a symbolic jar of Vegemite—remains unscathed.
Founded in 2015 by brothers Adam and James Gilmour, Gilmour Space Technologies has spent the past decade building Australia’s orbital launch capabilities. The 25-meter-tall Eris rocket is the result of years of development and testing, and its upcoming mission will also mark the inaugural use of the Bowen Orbital Spaceport, a privately constructed facility on Queensland’s northern coast.
“This is about more than just a rocket launch,” said CEO Adam Gilmour in a previous statement. “Launching Australian-owned and controlled rockets from home soil means more high-tech jobs, greater national security, economic growth, and technological independence.”
While the delay is a setback, expectations for the Eris debut remain grounded. First launches rarely go perfectly, and Gilmour Space emphasizes the value of the test flight in gathering critical data.
“Whether we make it off the pad, reach max Q, or get all the way to space, every second of flight will provide insights that enhance the rocket’s reliability and performance for future missions,” Gilmour added.
Despite the delay, Australia’s journey to becoming a key player in the space industry is firmly underway.
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