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Australia’s First Indigenous Orbital Rocket ‘Eris’ Fails 14 Seconds After Launch.

Science and Technology | Dated: 01 Aug 2025

Australia’s first indigenously designed and built orbital rocket, ‘Eris’, developed by Gilmour Space Technologies, failed to achieve orbit and crashed just 14 seconds after liftoff on July 30, 2025.

🎯 Key Highlights:

  • - The mission was launched from the Bowen Orbital Spaceport, located in North Queensland, Australia, marking a significant but unfortunate milestone in the country’s space exploration efforts.
  • - ‘Eris’ was a 23-metre-long, 3-stage small satellite launch vehicle built by Gilmour Space Technologies, a Queensland-based private aerospace company. The rocket was equipped to place satellites into Low Earth Orbit (LEO), including sun-synchronous orbits, and was designed to improve Australia’s independent access to space.
  • - The rocket featured hybrid propulsion technology, combining solid fuel and liquid oxidizers, making it safer and more cost-effective compared to conventional liquid-fueled engines. Despite its technical potential, the mission ended prematurely due to an in-flight failure during initial ascent.

💡 Other Important Facts:

  • (i) ‘Eris’ had a payload capacity ranging between 215 kilograms to 305 kilograms, tailored for launching small satellites for both commercial and research purposes. It aimed to serve satellite operators seeking dedicated and low-cost launch opportunities within the Indo-Pacific region.
  • (ii) The launch site, Bowen Orbital Spaceport, is Australia’s first commercial orbital spaceport and a critical part of the country’s long-term space strategy. The mission was viewed as a stepping-stone toward establishing sovereign launch capabilities and strengthening private space innovation.
  • (iii) Although the mission did not succeed, it marks Australia’s growing presence in the global space sector and reflects a broader effort to support domestic aerospace startups under the country’s Australian Civil Space Strategy 2019–2028, spearheaded by the Australian Space Agency (ASA).

📚 Test Your Knowledge:

Recently, which country’s first indigenously built orbital rocket, 'Eris', failed 14 seconds after liftoff?

Correct Answer: Australia

🚀 Quick Recap:

About Australia

  • Capital: Canberra
  • Prime minister: Anth-ony Albanese