A highly anticipated rocket launch by Gilmour Space Technologies has been delayed due to an issue identified in the ground support system during overnight checks.
Originally scheduled for Thursday morning, the launch of the Eris rocket has been rescheduled for Friday, pending further inspection and resolution of the issue.
If successful, the launch will mark a historic milestone as the first orbital-class rocket launched from Australian soil.
Designed and built at the company’s Gold Coast facility, the three-stage Eris rocket is intended to carry small satellites into low Earth orbit for commercial and government clients.
The launch window runs from 7:30 a.m. AEST Friday through to Sunday, with Mission Control operating from a site near Bowen in Queensland.
Gilmour Space co-founder and CEO Adam Gilmour expressed excitement, likening the moment of success to winning an Olympic gold medal.
He said even 10 seconds of flight time would be considered a win, as no private space company has ever reached orbit on its first launch attempt.
Gilmour Space aims to reach orbit by the third attempt, following a progression strategy similar to that of SpaceX, which succeeded on its fourth try in 2008.
The company is backed by major investors including Blackbird, Main Sequence, and superannuation funds HESTA and HostPlus, and raised $55 million last year to support Eris development.
A jar of Vegemite and a camera will be onboard the rocket, and while the launch will not be livestreamed, video footage will be shared with the media afterward.
