Australia's first orbital rocket crashes shortly after launch
The launch of Australia's first orbital rocket ended in a crash. Nevertheless, the space company Gilmour Space considers it a success.
The Gilmour Space rocket drifts sideways off the launch pad.
(Image: Screenshot/Gilmour Space)
The first launch of a domestically produced orbital rocket in Australia has failed. The orbital rocket developed and manufactured by Gilmour Space crashed on Tuesday shortly after take-off from Bowen Orbital Spaceport on the Queensland coast. The exact cause is unclear.
The flight of the Australian Eris rocket in “TestFlight1,” the first rocket built by the Australian space company Gilmour Space, lasted just 14 seconds. The rocket lost thrust shortly after launch, drifted to one side, and crashed to earth. No one was injured. According to Gilmour Space, there were also no harmful effects on the environment. The rocket engines were in operation for a total of 23 seconds. Gilmour Space has published a video of the failed launch in a press release.
The cause is now to be investigated. Likewise, It is possible that it was a combination of several circumstances, as this is only the first complete test of the Eris rocket, its propulsion and control systems and the launch pad at the spaceport. The crash was therefore not entirely unexpected. After all, the very first launch of a space rocket is rarely successful. Gilmour Space itself had therefore not expected the first mission to be a complete success.
First flight with partial success
However, Gilmour Space believes it is on the right track with the Eris rocket. Every second of the flight provides valuable data that can be used to improve and optimize the rocket technology and make it more reliable. Leaving the launch pad is already a great success for the rocket program. Much of what has been built has worked, writes Adam Gilmour, CEO of Gilmour Space, in a statement.
The Eris rocket is 25 meters high and should be able to carry a cargo weighing 215 kg into orbit.
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The launch of the rocket was originally scheduled for March 2025. However, the flight had to be postponed because the tropical cyclone “Alfred” threw a spanner in the works. This was followed by further delays caused by technical problems. The last launch was scheduled for the end of June, but strong winds prevented this.
The Australian company Gilmour Space was founded in 2015 by the two brothers Adam and James Gilmour. Their aim is for Australia to play a major role in the space transportation business.
(olb)
