Australia’s First Orbital Rocket Crashes 14 Seconds After Litftoff | WATCH
Australia’s first attempt to reach orbit from home soil ended in failure as Gilmour Space’s Eris rocket crashed 14 seconds after liftoff. Despite the setback, the Queensland-based company says it marks an important step in building the nation’s space capability.
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.
Initial assessments confirmed that the launch infrastructure at the Bowen Orbital Spaceport remained intact, and the crash site was reported to be clear of debris, minimizing environmental impact. The Australian government had recently provided $5 million to Gilmour Space for the Eris launch vehicle, supporting the development of its next-generation liquid rocket engine.
The incident drew international attention, with media outlets like *The Guardian*, *ABC News*, and *Space.com* covering the event. *The Guardian* noted the rocket's 23 seconds of engine burn time and 14 seconds of flight, while *ABC News* highlighted the repeated launch attempts hampered by various obstacles. *Space.com* had previously reported on the indefinite delay of the launch in May 2025 due to a payload fairing issue, indicating ongoing technical hurdles.
The Eris rocket's crash, while a disappointment, is part of a broader narrative of technological ambition and risk, similar to the challenges faced by other nations in their space endeavors.
Sources: The Guardian, ABC News, Space.com, X posts amplifying the event.