27-05-2025
Cockatoo caught on camera near wires at Queensland rocket launch site amid technical troubles
Cow paddocks, Vegemite and now a cockatoo — Gilmour Space Technologies' latest failed rocket launch couldn't get more Aussie.
The Queensland aerospace trailblazer was forced to cancel the highly anticipated launch of its 23-metre Eris rocket on May 16 due to a last-minute electrical fault.
Almost two weeks after the start of Australia's first locally-made rocket from the purpose-built Bowen Orbital Spaceport on a former cow paddock was abruptly aborted, an unlikely suspect has emerged: a cheeky cockatoo caught on camera suspiciously close to some critical wiring.
Gilmour Space themselves shared a photo of the curious cockatoo on Facebook with a cheeky caption: 'Not saying this is the root cause of our electrical issues ... but we're not ruling him out!'
Comments flooded in, mixing humour with disbelief: 'Lucky he didn't launch, could have turned into a flamin' galah,' one said.
Another quipped, 'So computers have bugs and rockets have cockatoos.'
Another commented, 'Could this be any more Aussie?'
Adding to the Aussie flavour, the rocket's payload included a jar of Vegemite — the iconic salty yeast spread that's a staple in homes across the country.
Some say the cockatoo might have been lured by the unmistakable aroma.
'It can smell the Vegemite, how Australian,' one Facebook post said.
While the bird hasn't been officially named the culprit, Gilmour Space confirmed it might have been 'at best a contributing factor' in the electrical fault that led to the launch being called off.
Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox summed it up: 'This is what happens – in all seriousness – when you are launching a rocket out in the elements.'
Gilmour Space told 7NEWS they're continuing to investigate the issues and making good progress toward fixes.
'Our team is continuing to investigate the issues identified during our last launch attempt.
'We're making good progress and expect to begin implementing fixes soon.
'We'll share an update on the next launch window as soon as it's confirmed.'
