In a statement released hours after the crash, the Gilmour Space Technologies founder revealed that systems performed well and his team was analysing the data to conclude what caused the mission’s anomaly.
The vehicle flew for 14 seconds before exploding seemingly metres from the launch pad in Bowen, Queensland. However, the business hailed the test as a success despite hoping for more time in the air.
“Space is hard,” Gilmour said. “SpaceX, Rocket Lab and others needed multiple test flights to reach orbit. We’ve learned a tremendous amount that will go directly into improving our next vehicle, which is already in production.
“Getting off the pad and into flight is a huge step forward for any new rocket program. This was the first real test of our rocket systems, our propulsion technology and our spaceport – and it proved that much of what we’ve built works.
“Only six nations currently launch to orbit regularly – and just a handful are developing sovereign capability to join them. We’ve now taken a big step toward joining that group.”
Eris is a three-stage orbital vehicle and the first to be almost entirely Australian-designed and manufactured. Prior to launch, Gilmour had warned the mission would likely end in failure and that a flight time of 20 or 30 seconds would be “fantastic”.
The company later confirmed there were no injuries from the crash and also believed there were no adverse environmental impacts from the blast-off. Despite the explosion, the test marked the first orbital blast-off attempt in 50 years from Australian soil.
“Initial data confirms that key systems performed well until the anomaly, including ignition, lift-off, first-stage thrust, range tracking and telemetry,” the company said.
“The team is now reviewing flight data to understand the cause of the anomaly that led to early termination, with lessons already being applied to the next vehicle, which is in production.”
The attempt on Wednesday was during the fourth formal launch window that opened this year, with other tries being mostly cancelled due to bad weather. Gilmour had initially hoped to blast off Eris in April last year.
Separately from its own launch, Gilmour last month blasted off its first satellite bus, ElaraSat, on SpaceX’s Transporter 14 rideshare mission. While engineers were initially warned that it could take up to four days to establish contact with ElaraSat, they eventually received the all-clear within eight hours.
“The fact that we can put it up in a space successfully and test it will be a big milestone for the company,” Gilmour said.
The 100-kilogram satellite platform is carrying a hyperspectral imager from CSIRO that can monitor algae in Queensland’s rivers and lakes.
The successful mission means the company joins Fleet, Inovor, Space Machines Company, and Skykraft in locally building satellite or satellite buses (effectively the fuselage or main body of the spacecraft).
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.