'Big step': Australia's first rocket crashes mere seconds after launching
The Eris 1 rocket, developed by Gold Coast company Gilmour Space Technologies, managed to lift off the pad before crashing back to earth.
Co-founder Adam Gilmour said the company was still "happy" with the result, calling liftoff itself a win after multiple weather and technical delays.
Mr Gilmour previously said the rocket underwent extensive checks before any potential launch.
The historic launch marked the first of its kind from Australian soil in over 50 years.
"For a maiden test flight, especially after an extended 18-month wait on the pad for final approvals, this is a strong result and a major step forward for Australia's sovereign space capability," the company posted to Facebook.
They said their team was safe after the rocket crashed down and were "energised for Test Flight 2".
"Only six nations launch to orbit regularly, and just a handful are working to join them. Today brings Australia closer to that club."
A successful launch would have also marked the first hybrid-propelled rocket in the world to reach orbit, a safer and cheaper than traditional liquid and solid rocket fuels, according to the company.
The endeavour is backed by federal funding, including $5 million towards the orbital rocket on July 25.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Gilmour Space Technologies was "an example of Australian innovation" during a tour of their factory in 2023.
"Australia can compete with the rest of the world. What we need to do is to back our businesses that are doing it," he said at the time.
Gilmour Space posted on X that there were 14 seconds of flight and 23 seconds of engine burn time.
"Big step for launch capability. Team safe, data in hand, eyes on TestFlight 2," they wrote.
READ MORE: Meet the Aussie teen hoping to be the youngest to fly around the world
Australia's first orbital rocket has crashed just 14 seconds after launching from Bowen in north Queensland.
The Eris 1 rocket, developed by Gold Coast company Gilmour Space Technologies, managed to lift off the pad before crashing back to earth.
Co-founder Adam Gilmour said the company was still "happy" with the result, calling liftoff itself a win after multiple weather and technical delays.
Mr Gilmour previously said the rocket underwent extensive checks before any potential launch.
The historic launch marked the first of its kind from Australian soil in over 50 years.
"For a maiden test flight, especially after an extended 18-month wait on the pad for final approvals, this is a strong result and a major step forward for Australia's sovereign space capability," the company posted to Facebook.
They said their team was safe after the rocket crashed down and were "energised for Test Flight 2".
"Only six nations launch to orbit regularly, and just a handful are working to join them. Today brings Australia closer to that club."
A successful launch would have also marked the first hybrid-propelled rocket in the world to reach orbit, a safer and cheaper than traditional liquid and solid rocket fuels, according to the company.
The endeavour is backed by federal funding, including $5 million towards the orbital rocket on July 25.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Gilmour Space Technologies was "an example of Australian innovation" during a tour of their factory in 2023.
"Australia can compete with the rest of the world. What we need to do is to back our businesses that are doing it," he said at the time.
Gilmour Space posted on X that there were 14 seconds of flight and 23 seconds of engine burn time.
"Big step for launch capability. Team safe, data in hand, eyes on TestFlight 2," they wrote.
READ MORE: Meet the Aussie teen hoping to be the youngest to fly around the world
Australia's first orbital rocket has crashed just 14 seconds after launching from Bowen in north Queensland.
The Eris 1 rocket, developed by Gold Coast company Gilmour Space Technologies, managed to lift off the pad before crashing back to earth.
Co-founder Adam Gilmour said the company was still "happy" with the result, calling liftoff itself a win after multiple weather and technical delays.
Mr Gilmour previously said the rocket underwent extensive checks before any potential launch.
The historic launch marked the first of its kind from Australian soil in over 50 years.
"For a maiden test flight, especially after an extended 18-month wait on the pad for final approvals, this is a strong result and a major step forward for Australia's sovereign space capability," the company posted to Facebook.
They said their team was safe after the rocket crashed down and were "energised for Test Flight 2".
"Only six nations launch to orbit regularly, and just a handful are working to join them. Today brings Australia closer to that club."
A successful launch would have also marked the first hybrid-propelled rocket in the world to reach orbit, a safer and cheaper than traditional liquid and solid rocket fuels, according to the company.
The endeavour is backed by federal funding, including $5 million towards the orbital rocket on July 25.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Gilmour Space Technologies was "an example of Australian innovation" during a tour of their factory in 2023.
"Australia can compete with the rest of the world. What we need to do is to back our businesses that are doing it," he said at the time.
Gilmour Space posted on X that there were 14 seconds of flight and 23 seconds of engine burn time.
"Big step for launch capability. Team safe, data in hand, eyes on TestFlight 2," they wrote.
READ MORE: Meet the Aussie teen hoping to be the youngest to fly around the world
Australia's first orbital rocket has crashed just 14 seconds after launching from Bowen in north Queensland.
The Eris 1 rocket, developed by Gold Coast company Gilmour Space Technologies, managed to lift off the pad before crashing back to earth.
Co-founder Adam Gilmour said the company was still "happy" with the result, calling liftoff itself a win after multiple weather and technical delays.
Mr Gilmour previously said the rocket underwent extensive checks before any potential launch.
The historic launch marked the first of its kind from Australian soil in over 50 years.
"For a maiden test flight, especially after an extended 18-month wait on the pad for final approvals, this is a strong result and a major step forward for Australia's sovereign space capability," the company posted to Facebook.
They said their team was safe after the rocket crashed down and were "energised for Test Flight 2".
"Only six nations launch to orbit regularly, and just a handful are working to join them. Today brings Australia closer to that club."
A successful launch would have also marked the first hybrid-propelled rocket in the world to reach orbit, a safer and cheaper than traditional liquid and solid rocket fuels, according to the company.
The endeavour is backed by federal funding, including $5 million towards the orbital rocket on July 25.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Gilmour Space Technologies was "an example of Australian innovation" during a tour of their factory in 2023.
"Australia can compete with the rest of the world. What we need to do is to back our businesses that are doing it," he said at the time.
Gilmour Space posted on X that there were 14 seconds of flight and 23 seconds of engine burn time.
"Big step for launch capability. Team safe, data in hand, eyes on TestFlight 2," they wrote.
READ MORE: Meet the Aussie teen hoping to be the youngest to fly around the world
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