Gold Coast-based Gilmour Space Technologies is poised to make Australian history after being cleared by federal authorities to launch its sovereign-developed Eris rocket from the Bowen Orbital Spaceport in Queensland.

Gilmour Space has received Australia’s first orbital launch permit from the federal government and the Australian Space Agency, which company CEO and co-founder Adam Gilmour says is a major milestone for the domestic space industry.

“With this green light, we will soon attempt the first orbital test flight of an Australian-made rocket from Australian soil,” says Gilmour.

“Our team is assessing the conditions of the permit and will advise on the anticipated launch date for Eris TestFlighthttps://www.businessnewsaustralia.com/1 in the coming weeks.”

Gilmour Space has already completed a major “wet dress rehearsal” of its Eris launch vehicle, progressing the countdown to T-https://www.businessnewsaustralia.com/10 seconds.

The first test flight is expected to be the first of several planned test launches to reach orbit with Eris, which leverages new propulsion technologies developed by the company.  

The launch permit comes on the heels of Gilmour Space being granted Australia’s first orbital launch facility licence by the Federal Minister for Industry and Science, Ed Husic, in March this year.

An Australian launch permit is required under the Space (Launches & Returns) Act 20https://www.businessnewsaustralia.com/18 for objects reaching an altitude of more than https://www.businessnewsaustralia.com/100 kilometres. Gilmour Space must provide a mandatory 30-day notification period prior to any launch.

Since embarking on its space vehicle development journey as a fledgling startup in 20https://www.businessnewsaustralia.com/15, Gilmour Space has grown to support more than 200 employees and built a local supply chain comprising more than 300 Australian companies.

The company has also attracted significant private investment, with the latest Series D round of $55 million led by Queensland Investment Corporation.

Gilmour Space’s Bowen spaceport, said to be one of only a few private orbital launch sites globally, will initially provide access to low- and mid-inclination orbits for the company’s space vehicles.

“The launch approval marks an incredible milestone for Bowen and the Whitsundays region,” says Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Ry Collins, who highlights the importance of the space sector to regional economies.

“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.”

As a Gold Coast company that has grown from a “shed in Pimpama” to become the largest space manufacturer in Australia, local Mayor Tom Tate says Gilmour Space is a prime example of the benefits of the City of Gold Coast’s business attraction and expansion programs.

“This homegrown company is reinvesting in itself and in our city, creating high-value jobs and opportunities for the next generation of Gold Coast innovators,” says Tate. 

“You certainly don’t have to be a rocket scientist to live on the Gold Coast, but if you are, we’ve got a job here for you too.”