Gilmour Space Technologies’ Australian-made rocket on target for lift-off this year

A Queensland space technology firm has successfully tested its innovative engine and now expects to launch its first rocket into orbit this year.

Australian firm Gilmour Space Technologies is on target to launch its first rocket into orbit this year.

The company recently had a successful 110-kilonewton (25,000 pound) test fire of the most powerful rocket engine ever developed in Australia.

The 75-second test was a major milestone for the company which hopes over the next five years to develop rockets capable of launching satellites and payloads weighing 300kg to 4000kg into low earth and other orbits.

“It was a successful test,” said chief executive Adam Gilmour who founded the company with his brother James in 2013.

“We achieved our expected full thrust of 110 kilonewtons (or 25,000 pounds-force) over the 75 seconds, and our team will be moving on to the final engine qualification campaign next month.”

An artist’s impression of Gilmour Space Technologies' Eris orbital rocket.

He said the test was also a demonstration of Australia’s first sovereign launch capability.

“It is no small thing to say that we’ve developed Australia’s largest rocket engine; and that it could have significant flow-on benefits for the commercial, civil and defence space sectors,” he said.

The company, which launched its first hybrid rocket in 2016 and is now pioneering new and innovative propulsion technologies, has so far raised $87m from investors, including $61m in June last year, making the start-up one of Australia’s leading space companies.

Gilmour Space Technologies CEO Adam Gilmour. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Mr Gilmour said the company was currently seeking approvals from state and federal government agencies to green light a small orbital spaceport at the Abbot Point State Development Area in Bowen, North Queensland.

“With timely assessments and approvals from relevant authorities, we hope to be able to launch Australia’s first sovereign-made rocket (the Eris orbital rocket) from Queensland sometime in the latter half of 2022.”

James Gilmour, head of launch operations, said Gilmour Space now employs 111 staff and expects to hit the 150 target by the middle of this year.

“With strategic support from our state and federal governments, we could easily be doubling that number by 2023,” he said.

“We are making ‘Access to Space’ an opportunity for all Australians to participate in, and I’m proud to have played a part in that.

“Watching a rocket leaving the earth is incredible and I want every Australian to know what we are doing, get excited, and know that no dream is too big if they work for it.”