Gilmour Space set for historic Australian rocket launch this Thursday

Gilmour Space Technologies has received final regulatory approval to launch Australia’s first home-grown orbital rocket in 50 years, with the countdown now set for Thursday morning from its Bowen Orbital Spaceport in Queensland.

The Australian Space Agency gave the green light on Friday for the company to proceed with the launch of its 25-metre three-stage Eris rocket, capable of carrying payloads up to 305 kilograms. For this maiden flight, the rocket will carry just a jar of Vegemite and a camera.

“I’m nervous, but the engineers are reasonably confident,” said CEO Adam Gilmour, who founded the company with his brother James after a 20-year career at Citibank. “I’m feeling reasonably confident that we will get off the pad. It’s going to be a wild ride for the next three or four days.”

The launch window opens at 7:35am on Thursday, with favourable wind conditions expected through Saturday. Staff will work around the clock from Monday to complete final pre-flight checks, with the rocket moving to vertical position on Tuesday for fuelling.

Gilmour acknowledges the first attempt might not achieve orbit, considering that even modest flight time would be considered successful. A German competitor recently flew for just 30 seconds on its first orbital attempt before crashing.

Backed by Blackbird Ventures and superannuation giants HESTA and Hostplus, Gilmour Space represents Australia’s most promising opportunity to gain a foothold in the commercial space industry. The company aims to mass-produce low-cost rockets and satellites for government and business clients.

The launch will not be live-streamed, with the company discouraging media and public attendance, though locals may glimpse the rocket from nearby beaches. CEO Gilmour will watch from a mission control room approximately seven kilometres from the launch site.

Image source: Gilmour Space Technology/LinkedIn