Gold Coast rocket company gets green light for first launch

Gilmour Space Technologies secures launch site approvals

Queensland-based rocket company Gilmour Space Technologies has taken a major step toward its first launch, receiving approval from the Australian Space Agency and Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for the launch site near Bowen in North Queensland.

Green light for launch

The launch site approvals are a significant milestone for Gilmour Space, which has been working on developing its Eris rocket for several years. The Eris rocket is designed to carry small satellites into orbit, and Gilmour Space hopes to launch its first commercial mission in 2023.

The launch site is located on a remote peninsula near Bowen, which was chosen due to its proximity to the equator. This location gives the Eris rocket a natural advantage when it comes to achieving orbit, as it requires less fuel to reach the necessary speed.

Gilmour Space has also been working on developing its own launch pad and infrastructure at the site. The company has constructed a launch pad, a control center, and a telemetry station. It has also secured a launch window for its first mission, which is expected to take place in the second half of 2023.

The launch site approvals are a major boost for Gilmour Space, which is one of several Australian companies working to develop a commercial space industry in the country. The company has raised more than $60 million in funding from investors, and it is expected to create hundreds of jobs in the region.

The first launch will be a major milestone for Gilmour Space and for the Australian space industry. It will be the first time that a commercial rocket has been launched from Australian soil. The launch will also help to demonstrate the viability of the Australian space industry, and it could pave the way for more commercial launches from Australia in the future.