Gilmour Space passes milestone for Australian orbital rocket launch

Gilmour Space Technologies has passed a major milestone in its quest to launch Australia’s first orbital rocket, with the successful completion of a critical design review (CDR) for the vehicle’s second stage.

The CDR is a comprehensive assessment of the design, development, and testing of a spacecraft or launch vehicle, and its successful completion means that Gilmour Space’s Eris rocket is now one step closer to becoming a reality.

The Eris rocket is a two-stage vehicle designed to launch small satellites into orbit. The first stage is powered by four liquid-fueled engines, while the second stage is powered by a single engine. The rocket is designed to be able to launch payloads of up to 300 kilograms into low Earth orbit.

The successful completion of the CDR for the Eris rocket’s second stage is a significant milestone for Gilmour Space, as it means that the company has now completed the design of the entire vehicle. The company is now working on the development and testing of the rocket, with the aim of conducting the first launch in 2023.

The Eris rocket is a key part of Gilmour Space’s plans to establish a commercial launch industry in Australia. The company is already working with a number of potential customers, and it is hoped that the Eris rocket will be able to provide a cost-effective and reliable way to launch small satellites into orbit.

The successful development of the Eris rocket would be a major step forward for the Australian space industry. It would give Australia the capability to launch its own satellites into orbit, and it would also open up the possibility of commercial space tourism. The Eris rocket is a promising project, and it has the potential to make a significant contribution to the Australian space industry.