The Gilmour-built rocket will one day symbolize success, securing Australia as a competitive space power.
The race for space is on (again). This time, there are far more players than in the previous space race—and the stakes are higher than they were during the Cold War. Multiple countries have all gotten involved in this new space race. One such country, Australia, is rapidly trying to catch up to the other competitors in this dynamic race.
Gilmour Space Technologies is a leader in Australia’s indigenous space industry. The world was transfixed on Gilmour’s Eris Rocket launch on July 30 of this year. Australia’s first homegrown rocket, the Eris, was set to take off from the Bowen Orbital Spaceport in Queensland, marking a significant milestone. Sadly, the rocket crashed after just 14 seconds.
Gilmour Space Technologies’ Journey to Australia’s First Orbital Launch
Founded in 2013 by brothers Adam and James Gilmour on Queensland’s Gold Coast, Gilmour Space Technologies has become a pioneer in Australia’s space industry. With over 200 employees and investments from firms like Blackbird Ventures, the company specializes in hybrid-propellant rockets for small satellites. Their motto is “All Orbits. All Planets.”
The Eris Rocket, named after the Greek goddess of discord, is a three-stage small-lift vehicle designed to carry up to 672 pounds into low-Earth orbit (LEO). It uses four Sirius hybrid engines on the first stage, one on the second, and a Phoenix liquid engine on the third. Hybrid propulsion combines solid fuel with liquid oxidizer, providing cost-efficiency and safety.
Future versions include Eris Block Two (2,204 pounds set for launch by 2026), and Eris Heavy (8,818 pounds), potentially even enabling human-rated flights.
What Happened in the Eris Rocket Launch Failure?
The maiden Eris rocket launch, TestFlight 1, occurred in the morning hours from Bowen Orbital Spaceport, Australia’s first commercial orbital facility. Attended by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, it was celebrated as Australia’s first sovereign orbital attempt in more than 50 years. Engine failures caused insufficient thrust, leading to the crash just after 14 seconds of flight and 23 seconds of engine burn.
No injuries or environmental damage occurred, and the infrastructure remained intact. None of this, however, is bad news for Australia’s nascent space program (unless they give up trying to launch rockets in response to this temporary setback). That’s because rocketry is learned by doing, not just by computer modeling. This is something that the most successful private rocket company in the world, SpaceX, understands fully.
Previous attempts at launching the rocket had been aborted. In May, the launch was scrubbed due to fairing issues, and earlier this month, Australia postponed the launch due to Tropical Cyclone Alfred. CEO Adam Gilmour called it a “strong result,” focusing on data for improvements, with TestFlight 2 planned in another six to eight months.
The Importance of the Eris Rocket Project
Revitalized by the 2018 Australian Space Agency, Australia’s space efforts have depended on foreign launches. The Eris rocket failure addresses sovereignty needs in a tense geopolitical climate, enabling independent access for defense, communications, and Earth observation satellites.
Economically, this project drives job creation and much-needed industry growth. For example, a $52 million federal grant in 2022 for the Australian Space Manufacturing Network enhanced local supply chains. As a result, Queensland emerges as a space hub, drawing investments. Commercially, Eris rocket offers ridesharing and the ElaraSat platform.
Technologically, the project advances hybrid propulsion, 3D printing, and overall high-tech innovation indigenously. Aligning with the Australian Space Agency’s $12 billion goal by 2030, Gilmour Space Eris positions Australia with leaders like China and the United States.
Further, the Australians, once they get the kinks worked out with their rocket, will be able to augment America’s overall national defense in the strategic domain of space by burden-sharing with Washington in key areas where Australian space interests overlap with America’s.
From Crash to Success in Australian Space Launches
The Eris rocket by Gilmour Space Technologies embodies Australia’s space renaissance. The July 30 crash is but a temporary complication. Necessary lessons will be learned from it, allowing Australia to continue its march toward becoming a major space power.
As the inevitable refinements proceed to the Eris program, the Gilmour-built rocket will symbolize success, securing Australia as a competitive space power.
About the Author: Brandon J. Weichert
Brandon J. Weichert, a Senior National Security Editor at The National Interest as well as a contributor at Popular Mechanics, who consults regularly with various government institutions and private organizations on geopolitical issues. Weichert’s writings have appeared in multiple publications, including the Washington Times, National Review, The American Spectator, MSN, the Asia Times, and countless others. His books include Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His newest book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine is available for purchase wherever books are sold. He can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.
Image: DVIDS.
