Gilmour Space Technologies remains positive despite its initial orbital launch attempt lasting just a few seconds. The company is already planning a return to the launch pad in 2024.
Speaking at the International Astronautical Congress on October 3, Adam Gilmour, co-founder and chief executive of Gilmour Space, discussed the first flight of the company’s Eris small launch vehicle on July 30 from its Queensland launch complex. The rocket lifted off but quickly drifted and fell back to the ground. Footage indicated a malfunction in at least one of the four hybrid rocket engines.
“We’re pretty happy with that,” he said, noting the 14-second flight and 23-second engine firing provided valuable data. The company is still investigating the cause of the failure. “It looks like what went wrong on the launch is something we’ve never tested close enough to the launch conditions before,” he explained.
One factor was the extended delay between shipping the rocket to the Bowen Orbital Spaceport and the launch. “Rockets aren’t designed to be at the launch site for 18 months,” Gilmour noted, citing corrosive, salty conditions due to the site's proximity to the ocean.
The delay was due to securing regulatory approvals, including a launch license from the Australian Space Agency and other permits. “We had to get 24 different permits from the Queensland government,” Gilmour said, adding the company underestimated the resources needed for these processes.
The delays also impacted testing. “One of my real regrets is that we could have done a lot more testing on the rocket if we’d known it was going to be another 18 months,” he said.
Despite the setback, Gilmour said he was pleased to see the rocket leave the pad. He expects a smoother regulatory process moving forward, mentioning recent meetings with the Australian Space Agency. “They’re very on board” for improving the process, he stated. “I’m very confident we’ll be able to launch in the future when we need to.”
“We are well capitalized. We are going to be launching again next year,” he confirmed, emphasizing the growth of Australia’s space industry. “I’m as optimistic as I’ve ever been about the industry in Australia.”