Bowen to wait months for Gilmour Space rocket launch

Gilmour Space had hoped to achieve lift-off as soon as this month but that is now off the table. But the spacemen are committed to a launch and gunning for a blast-off this year.

Whitsunday residents will have to wait a little longer before they can watch rockets shoot off into space.

Rolling bureaucratic processes and Covid-induced supply chain issues has waylaid Gilmour Space’s initial June-July lift-off target.

Construction of the orbital spaceport in Bowen has started but before Gilmour can reach the stars the company must first go through an extensive environmental and regulatory approvals process, which co-founder James Gilmour acknowledged he was still “navigating”.

The company submitted its draft public environment report to the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment in February.

“We do remain optimistic we will have all the approvals in hand,” he said, referencing the positive public response his company received at the state level to its material change of use proposal.

“There were no negative objections or issues raised with regards to the proposed development, by email or mail,” he said.

Gilmour Space Technologies co-founder James Gilmour at the RCOE LeadIn 2022 conference. Picture: Duncan Evans

Delayed shipping times and disruptions in the supply of material, the flow-on effect of Covid, have also have pushed back his dreams.

The company now targets a late 2022 launch.

Mr Gilmour added the innate complexity of rocket engineering could up-end timelines and he referenced Elon Musk’s adage that every rocket company has delays to its initial launch schedule.

“We are very optimistic we will achieve launch this year,” Mr Gilmour said.

Though lift-off is months away, the company’s aspirations have not dimmed.

Gilmour has more than 50 jobs on offer across a range of disciplines, including entry level roles for graduates.

A mock-up of the launch site at Bowen for Gilmour Space Industries. Picture: Gilmour Space Industries

Mr Gilmour said the positions were mainly for the Gold Coast, but opportunities would come to Bowen.

“In the future we’ll be providing more details about our positions in the regions,” he said.

The sight of rocket launches in Bowen could add yet another string to the Whitsundays’ tourism bow.

Merinda Village Hotel manager Debra Reason is looking forward to lift-off.

“I think it’s going to be fantastic,” she said.

“We’ve got the perfect viewing point from our motel of the rocket launch.

“We’re working towards having rocket launch parties.”

Originally published as Bowen to wait months for Gilmour Space rocket launch