The Whitsunday region is one step closer to being Australia’s first space rocket launch site following the announcement this week that an orbit launch permit has now been granted for Bowen Orbital Spaceport.
If all goes to plan, the first rocket launch for the Gilmour Space launch site in Bowen could happen within the next few months.
Minister for Industry and Science, Ed Husic MP, and the Australian Space Agency has granted the country's first orbital launch permit to Gilmour Space Technologies for its maiden Eris rocket launch from the Bowen Orbital Spaceport.
An Australian launch permit is required under the Space (Launches & Returns) Act 2018 to launch an object from Australia to an altitude of over 100 kilometres. It comes with a number of conditions that must be met before launch, and a mandatory 30-day notification period.
Gilmour Space CEO and co-founder, Adam Gilmour, welcomed the news as a major milestone for the local space industry. "With this green light, we will soon attempt the first orbital test flight of an Australian-made rocket from Australian soil.”
"Our team is assessing the conditions of the permit and will advise on the anticipated launch date for Eris TestFlight1 in the coming weeks."
In March, Gilmour's Bowen Orbital Spaceport was granted Australia's first orbital launch facility licence by Minister Husic and was officially opened by then-Queensland Deputy Premier Cameron Dick.
In September, the company announced it had successfully completed a major wet dress rehearsal of its Eris launch vehicle, progressing the countdown to T-10 seconds.
The upcoming TestFlight1 will be the first of several planned test launches to reach orbit with Eris, which leverages new propulsion technologies developed by the Gold Coast-based company.
Since starting its rocket program in 2015, Gilmour Space has expanded to over 200 employees, built a local supply chain of more than 300 Australian companies, attracted significant private investment, gained support from local, state and federal governments, and actively engaged communities across the region.
Its north Queensland spaceport, one of only a few private orbital launch sites globally, will initially provide access to low- and mid-inclination orbits.
With rockets and satellites designed and built on the Gold Coast and launched from Bowen, Gilmour's efforts have been a boon for regional Australia.
Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Ry Collins said this is a huge milestone.
"The launch approval marks an incredible milestone for Bowen and the Whitsundays region,” said Mayor Ry Collins.
“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."
For updates on TestFlight1, visit gspace.com/missions.
Gilmour Space founders, brothers Adam and James Gilmour
Gilmour Space's Eris orbital launch vehicle at the Bowen Orbital Spaceport in north QLD
Eris on the pad
Photos supplied
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