Eris Rocket Launch Delayed: Australia's Space Dream on Hold
Australian space rocket launch experiencing repeated postponements - Space launch delay: Postponement of Australian rocket launch once more due to system issue
It's a setback for the space-hungry Aussies once again. The launch of the homegrown Eris rocket, a national pride project by Gilmour Space Technologies, has hit another snag. This time, it's not the kangaroos on the outback or the seagulls on the coast interfering, but a pesky system glitch.
The latest hurdle? A power supply system issue during system checks, as communicated by Michelle Gilmour, the company's spunky comms director, to AFP. The good news? The Vegemite jar, the payload aboard the Eris, somehow survived unscathed. As Michelle put it, "It's tough, resilient, like the Australians."
The previous attempted launch, initially set for Wednesday, was also derailed due to a system glitch. But here we are, still waiting for the stars to align and the Eris to take off.
The first test flight of the iconic 23-meter tall, 30-ton rocket was supposed to happen at a spaceport near Bowen, on the east coast of Oz. A successful launch would make Eris the first Aussie-made rocket to blast off from the Aussie soil. Even the CEO of Gilmour Space Technologies, Adam Gilmour, seemed skeptical beforehand. He admitted that if the rocket managed to reach space and orbit the Earth, he'd be "surprised" but also "overjoyed." Just focusing on a flawless takeoff, even for a mere 10, 20, or 30 seconds, would make his day.
Looking ahead, the Eris is designed to launch small satellites into low Earth orbit, with a theoretical payload capacity of 100 to 200 kg. For starters, it's going to have to manage with just a jar of Vegemite.
In the grand scheme of things, Gilmour Space has bigger plans for Eris. They're developing a Block 2 version with enhanced performance capabilities similar to the Firefly Alpha. There's also a potential Eris Heavy on the horizon, which could provide medium-lift launch capabilities. The company eyeing commercial launches to start in late 2026 or early 2027 and anticipates a revenue growth spree afterward.
So, Aussies, buckle up and keep the Vegemite prayers coming. It's just a hiccup, right?
- Space Rocket
- Australia
- Spacecraft
- AFP
In the context of Australia's space dreams, the delay in the launch of the Space Rocket, Eris, designed for launching small satellites, is a setback. Despite the challenges in vocational training, as evidenced by the system glitches, the ambitious project by Gilmour Space Technologies mirrors the resilience of Australia, akin to the rough-and-tumble realm of science, technology, and space-and-astronomy.
