Australian startup Gilmour Space’s maiden launch of its Eris rocket was thwarted when the nose cone unexpectedly deployed and toppled to the ground, forcing a premature payload ejection.
Australian Rocket Launch Thwarted by Premature Payload Ejection
It didn’t last very long. On Thursday, Australian startup Gilmour Space was forced to call off the maiden launch of its Eris rocket when the nose cone that protects its payload unexpectedly deployed and toppled to the ground.
Gilmour Space is a privately-funded aerospace company based in Australia.
Founded in 2016, the company aims to develop and launch small satellites using its own launch vehicle technology.
Gilmour Space has developed a reusable suborbital launch system called 'eusat', capable of carrying payloads up to 50 kg.
The company's vision is to make space access more affordable and efficient for small satellite operators.
An electrical fault triggered the system that opens the rocket’s nose cone during final launch preparations last night, according to Gilmour. ‘This happened before any fuel was loaded into the vehicle. Most importantly, no one was injured, and early checks show no damage to the rocket or the launch pad,’ the company posted on LinkedIn.
Gilmour Space‘s Eris is a modestly sized, three-stage rocket designed to carry small satellites to space, with a maximum payload capacity of around 1,100 pounds. It was set to lift off from a private spaceport in Queensland early Friday morning local time. The launch would have marked the first all-Australian rocket to ever reach orbit.
Payload fairing failures aren’t very common, but when they happen, it’s usually because the nose cones don’t separate properly. One of the most infamous examples occurred during NASA‘s Gemini 9 mission in 1966, when astronauts were attempting to dock the spacecraft with a practice target. As it approached, one half of the clamshell fairing got stuck partially open.
Established in 1958, NASA is a US government agency responsible for the nation's civilian space program.
Its primary goal is to explore NASA and the Earth's atmosphere through scientific research and technological innovation.
NASA has achieved numerous milestones, including landing astronauts on the Moon during the Apollo missions and operating the International Space Station.
The agency is also responsible for robotic exploration of Mars, Jupiter's moons, and other celestial bodies.
A nose cone deployment before launch is unusual. Thankfully, Gilmour has a replacement ready at its factory in Gold Coast and is waiting for a ‘full investigation’ into the incident to conclude before sending it over and installing it on the rocket, which appears to be undamaged.
‘While we’re disappointed by the delay, our team is already working on a solution and we expect to be back at the pad soon,’ Gilmour told Ars. No official timeline has been given on how long that will take.
The setback is a highly unfortunate one for the startup, but it’s not expected to significantly impact its plans for future launches.
The Australian space industry has experienced significant growth in recent years, with a focus on launching domestic rockets.
In 2020, the country saw its first successful rocket launch from its own soil, marking a major milestone for the sector.
The Australian Space Agency was established in 2018 to drive innovation and investment in the industry.
With several private companies, such as Gilmour Space Technologies and Southern Launch, working on developing domestic launch capabilities, Australia is positioning itself as a key player in the global space market.
