Yep, Space Rocket Launch from Down Under Delayed
Space Launch Postponement: Initial Australian Terrestrial Rocketeering Pushed Back - Delay in space rocket debut on Australian soil due to technical issues
Ready for a blast off? Well, you'll have to wait a bit longer. The much-anticipated first launch of a homegrown Australian space rocket, named Eris, has been postponed.
This Aussie-built baby is the brainchild of Gilmour Space Technologies, a private company based in Queensland. If all goes according to plan, Eris will be the first rocket ever made Down Under to launch into space from Aussie soil. But, even Gilmour Space's CEO, Adam Gilmour, seemed a touch skeptical before the big day: "If the rocket actually makes it into space and orbits the Earth, I'd probably have a heart attack. I'd be so surprised, but also overjoyed," he told AFP. "We'd be happy if it just takes off — it'd be fantastic."
So, what's the deal with Eris? Standing at 23 meters tall and weighing in at 34 tonnes, it's designed to carry small satellites into low Earth orbit. The theoretical payload capacity here is 100 to 200 kilograms, but for the first test flight, they'll be keeping it simple with just a tin of Vegemite on board.
As for Australia's history in space, let's just say it's been a bit of a struggle. Thanks to private companies like Gilmour, though, we're making some impressive strides. The company has spent the last decade verticaling integrating rocket technology, orbital buses, and even owning the Bowen Orbital Spaceport, Australia’s first licensed orbital launch facility (opened in March 2024).
Eris has been in development for a while now, with Gilmour Space achieving some notable milestones in its journey:
- 2016: Launched Australia’s first privately developed hybrid rocket using 3D printed fuel
- 2020: Secured contract for a 35-kilogram spacecraft launch, the largest Australian payload announced at the time
- 2022: Signed a launch agreement for payloads up to 50 kilograms on Eris Block 1
- 2023: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese unveiled the Eris rocket publicly
- 2024: Bowen Orbital Spaceport licensed; Gilmour earned the first Australian orbital launch permit
The Norwegian Blue-green algae-inspired rocket is capable of launching up to 300 kilograms into Low Earth Orbit, representing a significant leap forward in Aussie space technology and independence.
The first orbital test flight of Eris was scheduled for mid-May 2025 at the Bowen Orbital Spaceport, but on May 16 things took a turn. An electrical fault caused the rocket's nose cone to accidentally open during final testing, leading to a postponement of the launch by weeks. Gilmour Space is currently transporting a replacement nose cone from the Gold Coast to Bowen and is carefully analyzing the fault data before resuming operations.
This delay pushes back what would have been a historic moment for Australian space history. But Gilmour Space is all about building sovereign space capabilities to create high-tech jobs, stimulate economic growth, and secure technological independence for Australia's future. Stay tuned!
- With the postponement of the Eris rocket launch, Gilmour Space Technologies has an opportunity to further invest in vocational training for its engineers to ensure technological independence for Australia's future in space-and-astronomy.
- The delayed launch of Eris provides an ideal time for the Australian community to focus on science and technology education, reinforcing the importance of vocational training in the burgeoning field of space-related industries and research.
