The Australian Government has authorised Gilmour Space Technologies to launch its Eris 1 launch vehicle from the Bowen Orbital Spaceport at Abbot Point, Queensland.

The authorisation, called an Australian launch permit, is the first ever issued by the Australian Government for a commercial orbital launch vehicle.  

An Australian launch permit is required under the Space (Launches and Returns) Act 2018 to launch from Australian soil to an altitude of more than 100 kilometres.

This historic decision paves the way for Gilmour to launch Eris 1 for its first test flight. Eris 1 is a small orbital launch vehicle designed to deliver payloads of about 300kg into low earth orbit. Eris 1 is 23 meters in length and has a mass at lift off of 34 tonnes. The vehicle has three stages and includes novel hybrid propulsion technologies.

Earlier this year, Gilmour was granted a launch facility licence by the Australian Government for the Bowen Orbital Spaceport. 



Main image caption: Gilmour Space Technologies' Eris 1 rocket at the Bowen Orbital Spaceport at Abbot Point, Queensland. 

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