WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Australia experienced a significant event in its space exploration efforts as the first Australian-made rocket, named Eris, attempted to reach orbit. Launched by Gilmour Space Technologies, the rocket took off from a spaceport near Bowen, in Queensland, on Wednesday morning local time but unfortunately crashed after only 14 seconds of flight.
The Eris rocket was notable for being the first orbital launch vehicle designed and manufactured entirely in Australia, aimed at carrying small satellites into orbit. Witness accounts and video footage from the launch captured the 23-meter (75-foot) rocket lifting off and briefly hovering before plummeting back to the ground. Smoke clouds rose above the launch site, marking the end of the short flight, although no injuries were reported.
Despite the crash, Gilmour Space Technologies hailed the launch as a success. A spokesperson confirmed that all four hybrid-propelled engines ignited during the flight, which included 23 seconds of engine burn time. The aim of the mission was to achieve a successful liftoff, and having accomplished that, CEO Adam Gilmour expressed satisfaction with the results on his LinkedIn account, acknowledging that he wished for more flight time but still regarded the event positively.
The launch followed a series of delays, with previous attempts in May and earlier this month being called off due to technical issues and adverse weather conditions. The company had set a precedent by stating that if the rocket left the ground, it would consider the launch a success, and they took solace in the fact that the infrastructure at the launch site remained intact.
Mayor Ry Collins of the Whitsunday Regional Council commended the completed launch as a considerable achievement, emphasizing its importance for the future of the commercial space industry in the region. His remarks on Facebook highlighted that while the vehicle did not reach orbit, it represented a significant first step towards a more ambitious space future.
Gilmour Space Technologies, supported by private funding, received a recent grant of 5 million Australian dollars (approximately $3.2 million) from the federal government for the development of the Eris rocket. This funding followed an earlier agreement worth AU$52 million established in 2023, aimed at advancing the development and commercialization of space technologies within Australia.
Historically, Australia has seen hundreds of suborbital vehicle launches, but successful orbital launches from the country have been exceedingly rare. According to NASASpaceFlight, there have only been two previous successful launches to orbit from Australia prior to this attempt, making the Eris rocket's maiden flight the first orbital launch effort in more than five decades.
In summary, while the launch of the Eris rocket did not achieve its intended goal of reaching orbit, it marked a pivotal moment for Australia's burgeoning space industry, showcasing the capability of indigenous design and manufacturing efforts in the aerospace sector.
