Latest news with #Australian-launched
Economic Times
an hour ago
- Science
- Economic Times
Australia set to make history with first-ever homegrown rocket launch after explosive delays
TIL Creatives After nose-cone failures, high-altitude winds, and months of delays, Australia's first entirely homegrown rocket is finally ready to blast off—carrying national pride, a jar of Vegemite, and the hopes of a rising space power The first Australian-made, Australian-launched rocket is set for takeoff in just a week. Gilmour Space Technologies, a privately-owned aerospace company based on Australia's Gold Coast, has confirmed it is targeting July 1–3 for the launch of the first entirely Australian-made and launched orbital rocket. The 25-metre tall, three-stage rocket called Eris will lift off from the Bowen Orbital Spaceport, about 150 kilometres southeast of Townsville. 'We have done a full test again of the vehicle just to be safe,' said CEO Adam Gilmour, who has personally led the project through years of challenges. 'I'm kind of almost sick of this rocket,' he admitted to 7News, reflecting the fatigue and emotional strain after repeated delays. This will be Gilmour's second attempt to reach orbit. The first launch was aborted in May after the rocket's nose cone, a part that protects the payload during flight, accidentally opened just 30 minutes before takeoff. Before that, other technical glitches had halted progress. Upper-level winds are the biggest environmental challenge now facing the 25-metre, three-stage Eris the team didn't give up. Engineers worked around the clock, retesting the rocket systems and addressing vulnerabilities. Now, all eyes are on the weather, particularly upper-level winds, which recently delayed a SpaceX rocket carrying a Gilmour-designed satellite.'That launch was delayed three days because of upper-level winds, and we're seeing the same high winds here as well,' Gilmour major international launches, this one isn't carrying a commercial payload. Instead, a small camera and a jar of Vegemite, Australia's iconic yeast spread, will ride into space as a lighthearted symbol of national this launch, Gilmour Space aims to become a reliable, sovereign launch provider, eventually sending satellites for environmental monitoring, communications, and even defense purposes. Founded in 2013 by Adam and his brother James Gilmour, the company has grown into one of the most promising players in the global space industry. The team behind Eris comprises more than 200 employees, supported by 300 local suppliers, investors, and the Australian Space Agency, which provided final launch approval in May. With this mission, Australia could join a small elite club of countries capable of launching rockets to orbit from their soil.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Science
- Time of India
Australia set to make history with first-ever homegrown rocket launch after explosive delays
Gilmour Space Technologies is targeting July 1–3 for the launch of Eris, the first Australian-made orbital rocket, from the Bowen Orbital Spaceport. This second attempt follows a previous aborted launch and aims to make Australia one of the few countries capable of launching rockets to orbit from its own soil. After nose-cone failures, high-altitude winds, and months of delays, Australia's first entirely homegrown rocket is finally ready to blast off—carrying national pride, a jar of Vegemite, and the hopes of a rising space power Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Second chance Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads What's on board? The first Australian-made, Australian-launched rocket is set for takeoff in just a week. Gilmour Space Technologies , a privately-owned aerospace company based on Australia's Gold Coast, has confirmed it is targeting July 1–3 for the launch of the first entirely Australian-made and launched orbital 25-metre tall, three-stage rocket called Eris will lift off from the Bowen Orbital Spaceport , about 150 kilometres southeast of Townsville.'We have done a full test again of the vehicle just to be safe,' said CEO Adam Gilmour , who has personally led the project through years of challenges. 'I'm kind of almost sick of this rocket,' he admitted to 7News, reflecting the fatigue and emotional strain after repeated will be Gilmour's second attempt to reach orbit. The first launch was aborted in May after the rocket's nose cone, a part that protects the payload during flight, accidentally opened just 30 minutes before takeoff. Before that, other technical glitches had halted winds are the biggest environmental challenge now facing the 25-metre, three-stage Eris the team didn't give up. Engineers worked around the clock, retesting the rocket systems and addressing vulnerabilities. Now, all eyes are on the weather, particularly upper-level winds, which recently delayed a SpaceX rocket carrying a Gilmour-designed satellite.'That launch was delayed three days because of upper-level winds, and we're seeing the same high winds here as well,' Gilmour major international launches, this one isn't carrying a commercial payload. Instead, a small camera and a jar of Vegemite, Australia's iconic yeast spread, will ride into space as a lighthearted symbol of national this launch, Gilmour Space aims to become a reliable, sovereign launch provider, eventually sending satellites for environmental monitoring, communications, and even defense in 2013 by Adam and his brother James Gilmour, the company has grown into one of the most promising players in the global space industry. The team behind Eris comprises more than 200 employees, supported by 300 local suppliers, investors, and the Australian Space Agency , which provided final launch approval in this mission, Australia could join a small elite club of countries capable of launching rockets to orbit from their soil.
Perth Now
11 hours ago
- Business
- Perth Now
Historic Aussie rocket launch just days away
The first Australian-made, Australian-launched rocket is set for takeoff in just a week. Gilmour Space Technologies has confirmed it is targeting a launch window of July 1 to July 3 from launchpad in North Queensland. The launch has been delayed by previous technical issues, with Gilmour Space chief executive, Adam Gilmour, telling 7News: 'I'm kind of almost sick of this rocket'. The protective nose which shields the rocket from the atmospheric pressure was one issue for the engineers to fix at the last launch attempt, along with problems in the data-collecting sensors. 'We have done a full test again of the vehicle just to be safe,' Mr Gilmour said. Gilmour Technologies has announced the Eris launch window is July 1 to July 3. Gilmour Technologies Credit: Supplied Upper-level winds are the biggest environmental challenge now facing the 25-metre, three-stage Eris rocket. A Gilmour satellite was launched aback a SpaceX rocket this week - a launch which was pushed back by similar weather conditions. 'That launch was delayed three days because of upper-level winds, and we're seeing the same high winds here as well,' Mr Gilmour said. 'That was really good … We'd made a few prototypes, but we'd never taken them to space,' he said of his firm's satellite. The satellite will monitor algae in Queensland's rivers and lakes. The Gold Coast company hopes to finally launch its Eris rocket after months of delays. Gilmour Technologies Credit: Supplied Gold Coast-based Gilmour Space plans to launch its rocket from the only certified Australian launch facility, the Bowen Orbital Spaceport, 150km southeast of Townsville. In May, the Australian Space Agency notified Gilmour Space that the company could launch Eris. Technical issues scuppered two launch attempts, the second time the rocket's nose cone accidentally opened, half an hour before takeoff.
