Maiden Flight of Gilmour Space Technologies' Eris-1 Rocket Scheduled for March 31, 2025
Gilmour Space Technologies, an Australian company founded in 2013, is preparing for the launch of Eris-1, marking Australia's first orbital rocket attempt in 50 years. The launch is scheduled to take place at the Bowen Orbital Spaceport in Queensland, Australia.
The Eris-1 rocket is designed to carry a payload of up to 300 kg to low Earth orbit (LEO). A future version, planned for 2026, aims to increase this capacity to 1000 kg.
The rocket utilizes a hybrid rocket engine, combining a liquid oxidizer (hydrogen peroxide) and a 3d printed solid propellant.
This design offers safety benefits, as it is difficult to ignite accidentally, requires only the oxidizer to be loaded before launch, and burns only while the oxidizer is supplied. The hybrid system can also be relighted, merging advantages of both solid and liquid-fueled engines.
The rocket's configuration includes:
- First stage: 4 Sirius hybrid rocket engines
- Second stage: 1 Sirius hybrid rocket engine
- Third stage: 1 Phoenix liquid rocket engine
Gilmour Space's Eris orbital rocket prepares for first launch.
Comparison with Other Rockets
| Rocket | Height [m] | Diameter [m] | Payload to SSO [kg] | Payload to LEO [kg] | Cost per Launch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum | 28 | 2 | 700 | 1000 | ~ $12 million |
| Firefly Alpha | 29 | 1.8 | 630 | 1030 | ~ $15 - $18 million |
| Electron | 18 | 1.2 | 200 | 320 | ~ $8 million |
| Eris-1 | 23 | 2 | ? | 300 | ? |
The Angry Astronaut has previously covered this rocket in a video: Will Australia beat Blue Origin? Gilmour Space heading to orbit before Christmas!.
The launch window for Eris-1 opens on March 31, 2025.
Livestream
No livestream available
Gilmoure Space: gspace.com
Useful links to stay up to date on launches:
Spaceflightnow.com: Launch Schedule
Everyday Astronaut: Prelaunch Previews
Space News:
NASA Spaceflight nasaspacefight.com
TMRO: YouTube
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Will be great to see Australia join the space launch community, it should gain a strong local market, and hopefully encourage others to join in. I think Australia would be a good third site for a SpaceX factory and launch facility as well.
I believe SpaceX can't build sites outside of the US because of ITAR regulations.
I seem to remember that Elon talked about having a landing pad for Starship in Australia. And the recovery operations for Starship start from Australia.
Yeah, that is a problem. Australia has traditionally had good relationships with the USA, so I think if anywhere can achieve it, maybe SpaceX could get the paperwork sorted.
Pretty sure it is simply illegal. No matter the relationship.
Remember when the DoJ tried to sue SpaceX for not hiring foreigners (discrimination), while it is illegal for SpaceX to hire foreigners because of ITAR?
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