Guardian

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

ABC Australia

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

The Telegraph

Australian-made rocket crashes with Vegemite payload

Independent

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

News.com.au

Moment Australian rocket crashes 14 seconds after first launch

Aero Time

First Aussie-made rocket crashes 14 seconds after takeoff

Gilmour Space

First Test Launch of Eris Rocket a Giant Leap for Australian Space Capability

Australian Space Agency

Gilmour receives funding boost from Australian Government

Historic licence for Queensland spaceport

First Australian commercial orbital launch permit issued

NASA Science

Eris Testflight1

angeloinchina

<h2></h2>

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.

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.

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.

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

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

In a press release, Gilmour Space Technologies announced plans for a second test flight within six to eight months. The company intends to eventually launch at least four rockets annually, before rising to twelve, and begin commercial operations by late 2026.

In a press release, Gilmour Space Technologies announced plans for a second test flight within six to eight months. The company intends to eventually launch at least four rockets annually, before rising to twelve, and begin commercial operations by late 2026.

Guardian #2445

ABC Australia #

The Telegraph #

Independent #

News.com.au #

Aero Time #

Gilmour Space #

Australian Space Agency #

NASA Science #

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

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

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

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

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 Rocket Crashes After 14-Second Flight

Australia

Space

This launch is 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 also directly improve the next vehicle already in production.

This launch is 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 also directly improve the next vehicle already in production.

Eris’s failed takeoff shows why Australia cannot compete in space technology with the key players. With just a small number of engineering graduates each year compared to countries like China and India, Australia lacks the required talent pool to independently run major engineering programs, which is why Eris only achieved 14 seconds of flight time.

Eris’s failed takeoff shows why Australia cannot compete in space technology with the key players. With just a small number of engineering graduates each year compared to countries like China and India, Australia lacks the required talent pool to independently run major engineering programs, which is why Eris only achieved 14 seconds of flight time.

There is an 80% chance that humanity will maintain a continuous off-Earth presence until 2050, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

There is an 80% chance that humanity will maintain a continuous off-Earth presence until 2050, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Australian-Made Rocket Crashes After 14-Second Flight

Australian-Made Rocket Crashes After 14-Second Flight

The Spin

Metaculus Prediction

Articles on this story

Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters
Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters

Australian-Made Rocket Crashes After 14-Second Flight

Australian-Made Rocket Crashes After 14-Second Flight

The Spin

Metaculus Prediction

Articles on this story

Sign Up for Our Free NewslettersSign Up for Our Free Newsletters

Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters
Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters