The first Australian-made rocket to attempt to reach orbit from Australian soil, the Eris rocket developed by Gilmour Space Technologies, crashed after just 14 seconds of flight on July 30, 2025. Launched from the Bowen Orbital Spaceport in north Queensland, the 23-meter-long, 30-tonne rocket experienced a failure shortly after liftoff, marking a significant setback for Australia's nascent space industry. The crash occurred despite months of anticipation and multiple delays due to weather and technical issues earlier in the year.
The Eris rocket, covered in sensors to gather data, was intended to be a milestone for Australian space capabilities, aiming to establish the country as a player in the global space race. However, the launch ended abruptly, with the rocket failing to achieve its intended trajectory. Adam Gilmour, the CEO of Gilmour Space Technologies, expressed a mixed reaction on social media, stating, "Got off the Pad, I am happy. Of course I would have liked more flight time but happy with this." Despite the failure, the company remains optimistic, viewing the attempt as a learning opportunity to improve future launches.
