Gilmour Space aims for historic orbital rocket launch before Christmas

Gilmour Space Technologies has been granted Australia’s first orbital launch permit. This milestone is the culmination of years of development for the Queensland company, which has first launched its rocket program in 2015.

The orbital launch permit was granted by the Minister for Industry and Science, Ed Husic, alongside the Australian Space Agency. It follows Gilmour’s Bowen Orbital Spaceport being granted Australia’s inaugural orbital launch facility license back in March.

This was followed by a successful wet dress rehearsal of its Eris launch vehicle in September. This is where a spacecraft launch is simulated without actual ignition.

“With this green light, we will soon attempt the first orbital test flight of an Australian-made rocket from Australian soil.” Gilmour Space CEO and co-founder Adam Gilmour said on Tuesday.

Gilmour Space confirmed with SmartCompany there is no specific launch date locked in at the present time. There are plans to swap some rocket valves out, as well as potentially do another ‘mini’ wet dress rehearsal. One of the key requirements for the launch will also be a final air management clearance from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).

While the team is hoping for it to be before mid-December, a mandatory 30-day notification period makes this challenging with the end of year approaching. This means the launch could happen in early January, once the team is back from the Christmas break.

This week’s news caps off a positive year for Gilmour Space, with the company securing $55 million in Series D funding in February. This was led by the Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC), with participation from Blackbird and Main Sequence, and followed an earlier $61 million Series C funding round in 2021.

The fresh round of funding was funnelled into the development of its launch vehicles and satellites.

The company’s north Queensland spaceport — one of only a few private orbital launch sites globally — will initially provide access to low- and mid-inclination orbits.

The presence of Gilmour Space on the Gold Coast has also been a benefit for regional Queensland, with the company employing 200 employees and having built a 300-strong supply chain across Australia. There is also the added benefit of establishing the area as a significant space hub in Australia.

“That’s why we’ve invested in our Business Attraction & Expansion programs —to support businesses like Gilmour Space,” said Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate.

“This homegrown company is reinvesting in itself and in our city, creating high-value jobs and opportunities for the next generation of Gold Coast innovators.

“You certainly don’t have to be a rocket scientist to live on the Gold Coast, but if you are, we’ve got a job here for you too!”

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