BOWEN ORBITAL SPACEPORT, QUEENSLAND – Australia’s eagerly anticipated first orbital rocket launch, Gilmour Space Technologies’ Eris-1, has encountered further delays, pushing back its historic maiden flight from the Bowen Orbital Spaceport. The Brisbane-based company, which initially aimed for a March launch, then May, and most recently a July 1-3 window, has confirmed the postponement, citing a combination of ongoing technical checks and uncooperative high-altitude winds. The latest target date for the launch of the three-stage, 25-meter tall Eris rocket is now “No Earlier Than (NET) July 3rd” AEST, with a new, more flexible launch window being sought for what is a critical test flight for the burgeoning Australian space industry.
This marks the latest in a series of postponements for Eris-1, a mission that carries not only the hopes of a nation keen to establish its sovereign launch capability but also a symbolic jar of Vegemite. The journey to the launchpad has been fraught with challenges, underscoring the inherent complexities and unforgiving nature of orbital rocket development and operations.
The most notable recent incident occurred in May, when an electrical fault during pre-launch preparations prematurely triggered the deployment of the rocket’s payload fairing – the protective nose cone. This “unexpected issue,” as described by Gilmour Space, caused the fairing to detach while the rocket was still on the launchpad, before fueling had even commenced. While the company confirmed no damage to the vehicle or ground systems, and no injuries, the incident necessitated a replacement fairing to be transported from their Gold Coast manufacturing facility, leading to several weeks of delay. Engineers also had to address sensor issues and redesign the payload fairing system to prevent a recurrence.
Prior to the fairing incident, the Eris-1 launch had already been pushed back from its initial March target due to the impact of Tropical Cyclone Alfred and the complex, extensive process of securing regulatory approvals. Gilmour Space received Australia’s first orbital launch permit in November 2024, a significant milestone that, according to CEO Adam Gilmour, came with “a lot of pain” in terms of compliance.
Despite these setbacks, Gilmour Space maintains a pragmatic and transparent stance. Co-founder and CEO Adam Gilmour has repeatedly emphasized that delays are “normal” in the demanding world of rocket launches. “Rocket launches are complex… weather, range availability, regulatory clearances, final checks (and last-minute anomalies!) can all shift timelines,” he stated. He added that this is especially true for a first-of-its-kind test flight, where every major system is being flown for the first time.
Indeed, the company has stressed that even a partial success would be invaluable. “Whether we make it off the pad, reach max Q, or get all the way to space, what’s important is that every second of flight will deliver valuable data that will improve our rocket’s reliability and performance for future launches,” Gilmour Space outlined in a February press release. This perspective aligns with the historical reality of rocket development, where many highly successful private space companies, including SpaceX, experienced multiple failures before achieving orbital success.
The Eris rocket itself is a testament to Australian innovation. It is a three-stage hybrid-propellant vehicle, utilizing Gilmour’s proprietary Sirius and Phoenix engines. The first and second stages are powered by Sirius hybrid engines, which burn a solid fuel with a liquid oxidizer, offering throttleability and restart capabilities. The third stage employs a Phoenix liquid rocket engine. The rocket is designed to deliver payloads of up to 305 kilograms to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and 215 kilograms to Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO), catering to the growing small satellite and constellation market.
The company’s ambition extends beyond this initial test flight. Gilmour Space plans to evolve the Eris platform into a monthly launch vehicle, aiming for a “1.4 model” capable of launching up to 400 kilograms for commercial clients, potentially carrying up to three satellites per launch. Ultimately, the company envisions developing medium-lift rockets for multi-ton payloads, a significant leap from the current Eris capabilities.
The mission, dubbed TestFlight 1, will carry a small camera and the aforementioned jar of Vegemite, serving as a symbolic payload. The launch, when it eventually occurs, will not be streamed live, but Gilmour Space has committed to providing updates via its social media channels.
As the Australian space industry watches with bated breath, the repeated delays serve as a stark reminder of the immense technical and logistical hurdles involved in reaching orbit. Yet, for Gilmour Space, each challenge is an opportunity to learn and refine. The patience and perseverance demonstrated by the team at Bowen Orbital Spaceport are emblematic of the grit required to push the boundaries of space exploration and establish Australia’s footprint in the global space race. The nation awaits the day when Eris-1 finally blasts off, marking a pivotal moment in its journey towards becoming a sovereign spacefaring nation.
