Gilmour gets long-awaited launch permit

Rocket manufacturer and launch services company Gilmour Space Technologies was granted a launch permit on Monday afternoon, which it says is a green light for the first orbital test flight of a locally-made rocket from Australian soil. 

In a statement on Tuesday, Gilmour Space said the permit granted by federal industry minister Ed Husic and the Australian Space Agency followed the nation's first orbital launch facility licence, granted by Husic in March, for the company’s Bowen Orbital Spaceport.

The launch permit is necessary under the Space (Launches & Returns) Act 2018 to to launch an object from Australia to an altitude of over 100 kilometres. 

The planned maiden launch has been held up by a lack of permit.

A set of conditions for the permit must be met before launch, and there is a mandatory 30-day notification period. 

“Our team is assessing the conditions of the permit and will advise on the anticipated launch date for Eris TestFlight1 in the coming weeks,” said Gilmour Space CEO and co-founder, Adam Gilmour, on Tuesday.

The company announced a wet dress rehearsal at Bowen – with a rocket safely loaded with propellant, with all launch procedures executed up to T-10 seconds before lift-off – in late-September.

Gilmour Space was founded in 2012, and began its rocket program in 2015.

The venture-backed company announced the close of a $55 million Series D capital raise in February. It now claims a workforce of over 200 employees, and a local supply chain of more than 300 Australian companies

Its plans include two test flights then a third, commercial flight, carrying Australian satellites into space.

Picture: Co-founders Adam and James Gilmour (supplied)

Further reading

Gilmour Space raises $55m, Eris rocket heads for space

Gilmour shows off its Eris rocket to PM Albanese

One small step for Gilmour, one giant leap for Australia

Gilmour Space completes wet dress rehearsal ahead of planned launch

Australian “road to space” now laid with Bowen Orbital Spaceport’s new licence

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