On Monday, the Queensland-based firm revealed it had completed a major wet dress rehearsal that simulated a full launch up to T-10 seconds, with only “minor issues” identified.
The news will put pressure on the space agency to grant it the crucial permit it had been hoping to receive six months ago, when the initial blast-off was originally penned in for. Founder Adam Gilmour later personally blamed the Australian Space Agency for the delays, quipping that regulators were asking questions “you wouldn’t believe”.
Taking place at the Bowen Orbital Spaceport in North Queensland, the new test saw the team load Eris with propellant before executing “all launch procedures” until shortly before lift-off.
==
==
The company said the only issues included two faulty valves and some “minor software reconfigurations” which it expects to be able to fix within weeks.
“I cannot overstate the significance of what we’ve accomplished, with only minimal issues detected,” said David Doyle, director of launch vehicles at Gilmour Space.
“This was the final major test to validate the readiness of our rocket, ground systems and crew, while allowing us to address any concerns ahead of launch day.
“At this stage, we expect to resolve all identified issues in the coming weeks. Pending approvals and other unforeseen events, Eris should be ready for launch as soon as we get the green light.”
PROMOTED CONTENT
Gilmour has been developing its three-stage launch vehicle for eight years and hopes to address a gap in the global market for small satellite launch providers.
The first blast-off will be a significant moment for the local industry, as Eris is the first Australian-designed and manufactured orbital rocket.
The business had initially been targeting a launch in April but, despite receiving a spaceport permit, still can’t attempt a lift-off without a separate launch permit.
The Australian Space Agency previously told Space Connect in response that it is working closely with Gilmour to satisfy the requirements of the Space Launch and Returns Act.
“The Act aims to assure the probability of a launch causing substantial harm to public health, public safety or substantial damage to property is as low as is reasonably practicable,” a spokesperson said.
“The Act also takes into consideration the environment, Australia’s security, defence and international relations.”
Founder Adam Gilmour though has been hugely critical of the Space Agency’s handling of the situation, arguing the push back was “more them than us” and even suggested officials were concerned its Eris launch vehicle could hit a passing ship.
“Like, what if a cruise ship comes out of Hawaii and goes in the path of the rocket as it’s going up [from the North Queensland coast]? And how are we not going to hit the International Space Station?” he said.
Talking at the AFR’s Entrepreneur Summit, he added that his engineers are spending too much time answering questions from regulators rather than designing the next rocket.
“Regulation definitely kills innovation. The government is extremely risk-averse, even in the power market. People are talking about clean energy, but it takes two years to get a wind turbine approved or 18 months to get a solar farm approved.
“It’s taken us almost two years to get our first rocket launch approved. That is crazy.”
Adam Thorn
Adam is a journalist who has worked for more than 40 prestigious media brands in the UK and Australia. Since 2005, his varied career has included stints as a reporter, copy editor, feature writer and editor for publications as diverse as Fleet Street newspaper The Sunday Times, fashion bible Jones, media and marketing website Mumbrella as well as lifestyle magazines such as GQ, Woman’s Weekly, Men’s Health and Loaded. He joined Momentum Media in early 2020 and currently writes for Australian Aviation and World of Aviation.
Receive the latest developments and updates on Australia’s space industry direct to your inbox. Subscribe today to Space Connect here.
