SYDNEY — Gilmour Space Technologies, the Australian company that made history with the country's first homegrown orbital launch attempt in decades, is moving forward with plans for a second flight of its Eris small launch vehicle in 2026, despite the maiden mission lasting only 14 seconds.
Speaking at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Sydney in early October, Adam Gilmour, CEO and co-founder of Gilmour Space, maintained an optimistic and pragmatic outlook on the short-lived debut of the Eris rocket.
The First Attempt: TestFlight 1
Gilmour Space launched its Eris Block 1 rocket on July 29, 2025, from the company's privately built Bowen Orbital Spaceport in coastal Queensland. The launch was the culmination of years of development and a long wait for regulatory approvals.
Flight Duration: The rocket successfully lifted off the launchpad, achieving 14 seconds of flight and 23 seconds of engine burn.
The Anomaly: Shortly after lift-off, the rocket began drifting sideways before falling back to the ground near the launchpad. This was attributed to a malfunction in one of the first-stage hybrid rocket engines, which failed to deliver the necessary thrust, causing the vehicle to go off course.
A "Huge Step Forward": Despite the mission failing to reach orbit, Gilmour emphasized the mission's success in validating key systems and infrastructure. "We had 14 seconds of flight time, 23 seconds of engine burn time. And we have obviously gotten a lot of data out of it, a lot of information, and we were pretty happy with it," Gilmour said. "Getting off the pad and into flight is a huge step forward for any new rocket program... and it proved that much of what we've built works."
Root Cause: The company is continuing its full investigation into the failure, with Gilmour suggesting that the root cause appeared to be "something we've never tested close enough to the launch conditions before."
Eyes on TestFlight 2 in 2026
Gilmour Space is determined to learn from the experience and press ahead with its sovereign launch capability. The company's immediate focus is on a second flight, TestFlight 2, which is now targeted for 2026.
Commitment: "We are going to be launching again next year," Gilmour stated at the IAC. "We're going to be doing more launch attempts, so we're not going to give up."
Historical Context: The CEO acknowledged the challenging nature of rocket development, noting that private space companies, on average, require around three launch attempts to successfully reach orbit.
Next Vehicle in Production: The next Eris Block 1 rocket is already in production, allowing the company to incorporate the valuable flight data from the first attempt directly into the new vehicle's design and reliability improvements.
Broader Impact on Australian Space
The TestFlight 1 mission was not just an engineering test; it was a major milestone for the Australian space sector, marking the first attempted orbital launch from Australian soil in over 50 years.
Infrastructure & Regulation: The process forced the company to work closely with regulators and government agencies—including the Australian Space Agency and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority—to secure numerous licenses, environmental approvals, and airspace permits. This groundwork has established the necessary regulatory framework for future Australian orbital launches.
Future Vision: Gilmour sees a bright future for the Australian space industry, noting the new launch regulations, the emergence of Australian companies operating satellites in space, and a well-capitalized sector. The company plans to follow the Eris Block 1 with the more capable Eris Block 2, which is designed to lift up to 1,000 kg to Low Earth Orbit and is also expected to enter commercial service in 2026.
Despite the initial setback, Gilmour Space Technologies views the brief but historic flight as a foundational success that moves the country closer to establishing a robust and sovereign launch capability.