One Giant Leap for Australia: Gilmour Space Receives Launch Permit
The Eris-1 rocket going vertical at the launch pad at Bowen Orbital Spaceport. Credit: Gilmour Space
On November 5, Gilmour Space received its first launch permit from the Australian Space Agency to launch their Eris Block I rocket from Bowen Orbital Spaceport in Queensland, Australia. Gilmour could announce a launch date in the coming weeks, now that the permit has been granted. The 30 day notification period included in the permit hints that we may see a launch as soon as early December, but it being around the holidays may provide some logistical issues, says Michelle Gilmour, a spokesperson for the company.
What is the Eris 1 launch vehicle?
Eris 1 is a small-lift launch vehicle that is comprised of three stages. The rocket is designed to deliver a 300 kilogram payload to low earth orbit from Bowen Orbital Spaceport. The first stage of the rocket will use four of Gilmour’s Sirius hybrid engines. The second stage will use a single Sirius engine. The third stage will use Gilmour’s Phoenix engine. Eris is 25 meters tall, and the bottom portion of the rocket is 2 meters in diameter. At the interstage where the first and second stages meet, the rocket’s diameter drops off to 1.5 meters. There are two payload fairing options for Eris 1: the 1.5 meter fairing, or the smaller 1.2 meter fairing.
The Eris rocket is depicted staging in this render. Courtesy of Gilmour Space.
Gilmour plans to evolve their vehicle into two more powerful variants: Eris Block 2 and the Eris Heavy. Eris Block 2 will be designed to deliver 1,000 kilograms to low earth orbit, and Gilmour plans to have it online in 2026. Eris Heavy will carry 4,000 kilograms to low earth orbit, making it a medium-lift launch vehicle. This capability will make Eris Heavy deliver crew capsules into orbit, and maybe the first astronauts launched from Australia.
The granting of the permit marks a significant milestone for Eris 1 and Gilmour.
“With this green light, we will soon attempt the first orbital test flight of an Australian-made rocket from Australian soil,” -Adam Gilmour, CEO and Co-founder of Gilmour Space
The company has received a permit for their Bowen Orbital Spaceport back in March, and they have prepared for a launch in early May. Because of major issues with the licenses, Gilmour could not proceed with the launch.
While Gilmour waited for the government to grant them a license, they conducted a wet dress rehearsal in September. A wet dress rehearsal simulates a launch countdown, and stops at T-10 seconds. Gilmour identified two faulty valves and they fixed some software on the rocket.
Bowen’s location along the coast in Queensland & latitude gives it a rather large orbital inclination range. Eris will be able to launch payloads anywhere from a 20 degree to a 65 degree orbit.
Whenever it will be, Eris’ inaugural launch from the land down under will be exciting to watch! The launch will be the first launch from Australia in 50 years, since Black Arrow’s final launch carrying Prospero from Woomera.
The United Kingdom’s BLACK ARROW rocket launches from Woomera in Australia, carrying the Prospero satellite. Credit: ESA space history
