Guardian

‘We have a cloud, and that’s the end’: first Australian-made orbital rocket crashes shortly after takeoff

Associated Press

First Australian-made rocket crashes after 14 seconds of flight in a failed attempt to reach orbit

Independent

Metaculus

Will humanity maintain a continuous off-Earth presence until 2050?

The Eris rocket, built by Gilmour Space Technologies, became the first Australian-designed and built orbital launch vehicle to lift off from the country’s soil on Wednesday from the&nbsp;Bowen Orbital Spaceport in Queensland.

News.com.au

The Eris rocket, built by Gilmour Space Technologies, became the first Australian-designed and built orbital launch vehicle to lift off from the country’s soil on Wednesday from the Bowen Orbital Spaceport in Queensland.

The 23-meter rocket, which weighed 30 tons and reportedly carried a jar of Vegemite, an Australian staple product, on its nose cone, flew for approximately 14 seconds before crash-landing.

Gilmour Space

Aero Time

telegraph.co.uk

The 23-meter rocket, which weighed 30 tons and reportedly carried a jar of Vegemite, an Australian staple product, on its nose cone, flew for approximately 14 seconds before crash-landing.

Gilmour Space Technologies said that all four of Eris’s hybrid engines successfully ignited and achieved 23 seconds of burn time, with the company reporting no injuries and seemingly no damage to the launch site, as well as that it had collected “extensive” flight data in the process.

Gilmour Space Technologies said that all four of Eris’s hybrid engines successfully ignited and achieved 23 seconds of burn time, with the company reporting no injuries and seemingly no damage to the launch site, as well as that it had collected “extensive” flight data in the process.

The rocket’s development received support from the Australian government, which awarded Gilmour Space Technologies an AU$5 million ($3.2 million) grant earlier this month, following a previous AU$52 million agreement in 2023.

Australian Space Agency

The rocket’s development received support from the Australian government, which awarded Gilmour Space Technologies an AU$5 million ($3.2 million) grant earlier this month, following a previous AU$52 million agreement in 2023.

The launch marked Australia’s first orbital rocket attempt in over 50 years, as the country has only previously hosted two successful orbital launches, according to aerospace platform NASASpaceFlight.

NASA Science

The launch marked Australia’s first orbital rocket attempt in over 50 years, as the country has only previously hosted two successful orbital launches, according to aerospace platform NASASpaceFlight.

In a press release, the company announced plans for a second test flight within six to eight months, with CEO Adam Gilmour stating that the goal is to eventually launch at least four rockets annually and begin commercial operations by late 2026.

ABC News Australia

In a press release, the company announced plans for a second test flight within six to eight months, with CEO Adam Gilmour stating that the goal is to eventually launch at least four rockets annually and begin commercial operations by late 2026.

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The 23-meter rocket flew for approximately 14 seconds before crashing back to the launch site, with all four hybrid-propelled engines igniting successfully during the maiden test flight.</span

ABC News Australia #

Associated Press #2618

The 23-meter rocket flew for approximately 14 seconds before crashing back to the launch site, with all four hybrid-propelled engines igniting successfully during the maiden test flight.

No injuries were reported from the crash, and the launch site infrastructure remained intact following the failed orbital attempt.</span

Gilmour Space #

No injuries were reported from the crash, and the launch site infrastructure remained intact following the failed orbital attempt.

Gilmour Space Technologies received AU$5 million from the Australian government this month for Eris development, following a previous AU$52 million grant agreement in 2023.</span

Australian Space Agency #

Gilmour Space Technologies received AU$5 million from the Australian government this month for Eris development, following a previous AU$52 million grant agreement in 2023.

The launch marked Australia's first orbital rocket attempt in more than 50 years, as the country has previously hosted only two successful orbital launches according to aerospace platform NASASpaceFlight.</span

Aero Time #

The launch marked Australia's first orbital rocket attempt in more than 50 years, as the country has previously hosted only two successful orbital launches according to aerospace platform NASASpaceFlight.

Company CEO Adam Gilmour announced plans for a second test flight within six to eight months, with the goal of eventually launching four rockets annually and beginning commercial operations by late 2026.</span

Company CEO Adam Gilmour announced plans for a second test flight within six to eight months, with the goal of eventually launching four rockets annually and beginning commercial operations by late 2026.

The spectacular failure highlights the enormous challenges facing Australia's fledgling space industry after waiting 18 months and spending millions in government grants. While experts claim failure is normal, investors and taxpayers deserve better results than a rocket that barely cleared the launch tower before crashing.

The spectacular failure highlights the enormous challenges facing Australia's fledgling space industry after waiting 18 months and spending millions in government grants. While experts claim failure is normal, investors and taxpayers deserve better results than a rocket that barely cleared the launch tower before crashing.

Australian-made Gilmour Space Technologies not giving up after rocket crash

Australian-Made Rocket Crashes After 14-Second Flight

Australia

Space

This crash represents a major breakthrough for Australia's space ambitions despite the brief flight time. Getting off the launch pad proves the rocket's core systems work and puts Australia on track to join only six nations capable of regular orbital launches. The 14 seconds of flight data will directly improve the next vehicle already in production.

This crash represents a major breakthrough for Australia's space ambitions despite the brief flight time. Getting off the launch pad proves the rocket's core systems work and puts Australia on track to join only six nations capable of regular orbital launches. The 14 seconds of flight data will directly improve the next vehicle already in production.

Australian-Made Rocket Crashes After 14-Second Flight

Australian-Made Rocket Crashes After 14-Second Flight

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Australian-Made Rocket Crashes After 14-Second Flight

Australian-Made Rocket Crashes After 14-Second Flight

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