With only 12 nations in the world capable of launching their own rockets to orbit, Australia’s achievement is significant.
Gold Coast-based Gilmour Space Technologies is making history as they prepare to launch the first Australian-made rocket from Australian soil.
The final hurdle has been cleared with the announcement by Minister for Industry and Science, Ed Husic, that the Australian Space Agency has granted the country’s first launch permit.
A launch permit is required in Australia under the Space (Launches & Returns) Act to send an object to an altitude of over 100 kilometers. It comes with specific conditions that must be met before launch, including a mandatory 30-day notification period.
The launch is expected to take place from the Bowen Orbital Spaceport in north Queensland, following the facility being granted Australia’s first orbital launch facility license earlier this year.
The Eris, Australia’s first orbital launch vehicle, is capable of taking satellites into orbit using a proprietary hybrid-propellant technology. If successful, it could be the first in the world to achieve orbit using this fuel.
TestFlight1, the first of several planned test launches, aims to flight test the entire vehicle and carry a test payload for Gilmour Space’s new micro-satellite bus.
Gilmour Space CEO, Adam Gilmour, sees this as a major milestone for the local space industry and looks forward to the upcoming test flight.
Since launching its rocket program in 2015, Gilmour Space has grown significantly and attracted support from various entities.
The Bowen spaceport will provide access to low- and mid-inclination orbits and is seen as a key player in Australia’s space journey.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate acknowledges the growth of Gilmour Space and the opportunities it brings to the city.
While the event will not be livestreamed, organizers hope to release video footage after the launch. Spectators can watch the rocket from various locations around Bowen, although visibility is not guaranteed.
Overall, this achievement represents a major step forward for Australia’s presence in the space industry.
