The Australian Space Agency has granted the country’s first orbital launch permit to Gilmour Space Technologies for its maiden Eris rocket launch from the Bowen Orbital Spaceport in North Queensland.
“With this green light, we will soon attempt the first orbital test flight of an Australian-made rocket from Australian soil,” said Gilmour Space Founder and CEO Adam Gilmour. “Our team is assessing the conditions of the permit and will advise on the anticipated launch date for Eris TestFlight1 in the coming weeks.”
The permit is required under the Space (Launches & Returns) Act 2018 to launch an object from Australia to an altitude of over 100 kilometres. It comes with several conditions that must be met before launch, and a mandatory 30-day notification period.
The upcoming TestFlight1 will be the first of several planned test launches to reach orbit with Eris, which leverages new propulsion technologies developed by the Gold Coast-based company.
Gilmour Space has attracted significant private investment, gained support from local, state and federal governments, and actively engaged communities across the region.
Its north Queensland spaceport, one of only a few private orbital launch sites globally, will initially provide access to low- and mid-inclination orbits.
“The launch approval marks an incredible milestone for Bowen and the Whitsundays region,” said Whitsunday Council Mayor Ry Collins. “The team at Gilmour Space have been incredible to work with, and their commitment to engaging Bowen residents in this journey is a model of proactive community involvement. Success here isn’t just about reaching orbit – it’s about positioning Bowen as a key player in Australia’s journey to space. This is just the beginning.”
