Leonard David's INSIDE OUTER SPACE

Image credit: Gilmour Space Technologies

Ooops!

Gilmour Space Technologies carried out on July 30 the maiden test launch of Australia’s first locally designed and built orbital rocket.

But the 23-meter, 30-tonne Eris rocket — powered by new hybrid propulsion technology — faltered roughly 14 seconds after liftoff from the Bowen Orbital Spaceport in North Queensland, crashing to the ground.

“Space is hard,” said Adam Gilmour, CEO of Gilmour Space Technologies.

Image credit: Gilmour Space Technologies/Inside Outer Space screengrab

Flight data

“Initial data confirms that key systems performed well until the anomaly, including ignition, liftoff, first-stage thrust, range tracking and telemetry,” according to a post-failure statement.

“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.”

Next launch

The TestFlight 1 mission was a product of years of effort by a team of more than 200 people, over 500 Australian suppliers, and assistance from government and industry.

“The team will now review flight data and apply lessons learned to the next Eris rocket, with plans to launch again within 6-8 months,” the company statement adds.

Go to video of flight at:

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/71c469_f8182dbf5c26468386e7cfd8345fa805/1080p/mp4/file.mp4