Gilmour Space is ready for a new Eris-1 rocket launch attempt on July 2, following a fairing malfunction that disrupted its May mission. The rocket will lift off from Pad 1 at Bowen Orbital Spaceport in Queensland. The scheduled window opens at 5:30 p.m. EDT (2130 GMT) or 7:30 a.m. local time on July 3.
Although May’s setback was frustrating, the company acted quickly. Engineers traced the issue to a feedback charge during shutdown, which triggered the fairing’s single-use deployment system. Unlike earlier tests, this specific system had not been activated before.
To prevent future mishaps, Gilmour made necessary corrections. The rocket is now fully reassembled and ready for liftoff.
Gilmour Space was founded in 2015 by brothers Adam and James Gilmour. Since then, the company has expanded rapidly, growing to over 200 employees and establishing a strong presence in Australia’s space sector.
The Eris-1 is a compact launch vehicle, standing 82 feet (25 meters) tall. It can carry up to 474 pounds (215 kilograms) into sun-synchronous orbit. The upcoming TestFlight1 will evaluate all core systems.
Earlier this year, weather delayed the initial launch attempt. In March, Tropical Cyclone Alfred forced the team to postpone. Then, in May, a technical fault halted a second try.
Despite these challenges, Gilmour remains optimistic. “Whether we make it off the pad, reach max Q, or get all the way to space, every second of flight gives us valuable data,” the founders emphasized in February.
This test flight represents a critical milestone. It will shape future launch strategies and provide insight into the rocket’s performance.
In conclusion, Gilmour Space is pushing ahead with determination. Their July 2 launch marks another step forward for Australia’s growing commercial space ambitions.
