On 30 July 2025 Gilmour Space Technologies achieved lift-off with an Australian-developed orbital launch vehicle. At just over 20 metres in length, the Eris Block 1, a three-stage hybrid-fuelled rocket, is designed to deliver payloads into sun-synchronous and equatorial low Earth orbits.
A key novelty in the technology behind the Eris vehicle is its multistage combination of solid fuel with liquid oxidiser, intended to be both safer and cheaper than pure liquid-fuelled motors and with little compromise on thrust.
The maiden test flight of the Eris at Bowen Orbital Spaceport in north-eastern Australia saw the vehicle airborne for approximately 12 seconds before impacting the ground metres from the launch rail. Gilmour Space Technologies CEO Adam Gilmour stated “getting off the pad and into flight is a huge step forward for any new rocket program. This was the first real test of our rocket systems, our propulsion technology, and our spaceport — and it proved that much of what we’ve built works.”
It is, indeed, fanciful to expect a maiden launch using innovative propulsion technology to fly a nominal mission. While achieving ignition alone is to be celebrated, what is equally impressive is that the Eris was even able to make it to the launch pad to attempt ignition. This is not due to any technical nuances but, rather, regulatory challenges. For years Australian launch actors have been facing a series of complications under the revised domestic space law framework.
Having come into force in 2019, the Space (Launches and Returns) Act posed several questions marks on Australia’s viability to not only launch domestically produced vehicles, but to attract the range of microlaunchers developed across Europe and Asia. Issues under that framework, such as redundant procedural requirements which significantly increased launch costs, posed additional considerations for foreign launch providers who were already trying to overcome the logistical challenges of Australia’s relative geographic isolation.
The legislation has so far undergone two rounds of amendments, both of which have made improvement upon some of the barriers to legally launch from Australia. Gilmour’s governmental approval to not only launch the Eris vehicle, but to do so from its own orbital-licensed launch facility is a first for Australia. If space enthusiasts are dissatisfied with the lack of altitude sustained by the Eris Block 1 maiden test flight, launch vehicle stakeholders around the globe are, nevertheless, now looking at Australia as a viable jurisdiction to gain approval for testing and launching innovative vehicles.
From 29 September 2025, Sydney will host the world’s largest space conference, the International Astronautical Congress. The local organising committee would do well to emphasise the Eris test is a regulatory achievement rather than allow discussion to consider it merely a technical stepping stone. Australia’s regulatory framework is proven. All that is left is the technology and operations, both of which hopefully will remain apolitical.
For an overview of those regulatory challenges now resolved, see here.
For enquiries on licensing or advocacy to launch your spacecraft from Australia, please contact Scott Schneider, Special Counsel for Space: [email protected] , Whatsapp +31640570673