Australia's First Orbital Rocket: A 14-Second Milestone

On July 30, 2025, Australia marked a historic moment in its space ambitions with the launch of the Eris rocket, the first Australian-designed and manufactured orbital launch vehicle. Developed by Gilmour Space Technologies, the 23-meter (75-foot) rocket lifted off from the Bowen Orbital Spaceport in North Queensland at 8:35 AM local time. However, just 14 seconds after liftoff, the rocket crashed back to Earth, falling short of its goal to reach orbit. Despite the brief flight, this event represents a significant step for Australia’s emerging space industry.

The Eris Rocket and Its Mission

The Eris rocket, built by Gold Coast-based Gilmour Space Technologies, was designed to carry small satellites, with a payload capacity of up to 305 kilograms (670 pounds) to low-Earth orbit or 215 kilograms (474 pounds) to sun-synchronous orbit. Powered by four hybrid-propelled Sirius engines on its first stage, a single Sirius engine on the second, and a Phoenix engine using kerosene and liquid oxygen on the third, Eris aimed to offer cost-effective and responsive launch services for global customers. The rocket, which reportedly carried a jar of Vegemite on its nose cone, symbolized Australia’s bold entry into the competitive space launch market.

The launch, known as Test Flight 1, was the first orbital attempt from Australian soil in over 50 years, following the successful launch of the UK’s Prospero satellite by a British Black Arrow rocket in 1971 from Woomera Rocket Range. For Gilmour Space, founded by brothers Adam and James Gilmour in 2015, the mission was a critical test of their systems, propulsion technology, and the newly operational Bowen Orbital Spaceport, built on a former cow paddock.

What Happened During the Launch?

Videos from the launch show Eris clearing the launch tower and hovering briefly before veering sideways and crashing into a nearby field, producing a fireball and large plumes of smoke. Initial data indicates that all four Sirius engines ignited successfully, achieving 23 seconds of engine burn time, but two engines lost power shortly after liftoff, causing the rocket to stall. No injuries or significant environmental damage were reported, and the launch infrastructure remained intact.

The 18-month wait for regulatory approval from Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the Australian Space Agency may have contributed to the outcome. The rocket, stored horizontally in a hangar near the coast since April 2024, faced potential corrosion from salt air, which CEO Adam Gilmour noted as a concern. Previous launch attempts in May and June were delayed due to technical issues, including a power supply problem and the premature opening of the payload fairing, as well as unfavorable weather conditions like strong winds.

A Partial Success and a Learning Opportunity

Despite the crash, Gilmour Space and industry experts have framed the launch as a partial success. The company emphasized that key systems, including ignition, liftoff, first-stage thrust, range tracking, and telemetry, performed well until the anomaly. CEO Adam Gilmour expressed satisfaction with the rocket clearing the pad, stating on LinkedIn, “Of course I would have liked more flight time but happy with this.” He had previously noted in February that it’s “almost unheard of” for a private rocket company to reach orbit on its first attempt, setting realistic expectations for the test flight.

University of Southern Queensland astrophysicist Jonti Horner called it the “best first launch attempt” he had seen, highlighting that every major space program has built success on the back of failures. The rocket was equipped with sensors to collect data, which Gilmour Space is now analyzing to identify the cause of the engine failure and improve future designs. The company views the 14-second flight as a milestone, bringing Australia closer to joining the six nations that regularly launch spacecraft to orbit.

Community and Industry Impact

The launch drew significant attention, boosting tourism in Bowen as spectators gathered at Flagstaff Hill and local beaches to witness the historic event. Residents like Helen and Douglas Tawse saw it as an opportunity to “put Bowen on the map,” while others, like Mackay resident Andrew Hyland, traveled multiple times to be part of the moment. Local Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Ry Collins called it a “huge achievement,” signaling the potential for a future commercial space industry in the region.

Gilmour Space, backed by private venture capital and a recent AU$5 million (US$3.2 million) government grant for Eris’ next-generation liquid rocket engine, is already preparing for Test Flight 2, expected in January or February 2026. The second Eris rocket is in production, with engineers adjusting engine designs based on data from the first flight. The company aims to launch four rockets annually, eventually scaling to over 12 per year, with ambitions to deploy commercial satellites.

Australia’s Space Future

The Eris launch underscores the growing momentum of Australia’s commercial space sector. Historically, only government-run space agencies had the capability to launch rockets, but the global shift toward commercial spaceflight has lowered costs and spurred innovation. Gilmour Space, with a workforce of about 200 and contributions from over 500 Australian suppliers, is also developing satellites like the ElaraSat, which recently launched on a SpaceX mission carrying a hyperspectral imager for water quality monitoring.

While the 14-second flight did not achieve orbit, it marks a critical step in building Australia’s sovereign space capability. As Professor Horner noted, proximity to the equator makes northern Australia an ideal launch location, leveraging Earth’s spin to ease orbital access. With plans for future launches and ongoing government support, including a AU$52 million grant in 2023, Gilmour Space is poised to drive Australia’s space ambitions forward.

Looking Ahead

The crash of Eris is not the end but a beginning. As Gilmour Space analyzes flight data and prepares for its next launch, the Australian space industry is energized by the potential for growth. The One Giant Leap Australia Foundation praised the effort, stating, “The only way to learn is to fail forward.” With the global space industry expanding, Australia’s first orbital attempt in over half a century, though brief, lays the groundwork for a future where the nation could become a regular player in orbital launches.

For now, the plumes of smoke over Bowen symbolize both a setback and a spark of progress. As Adam Gilmour put it, “We have a cloud, and that’s the end”—but only the end of Test Flight 1. The journey to orbit continues.