Key Takeaways:
- On July 30, 2025, Gilmour Space Technologies conducted the inaugural test flight of its Eris rocket, a 23-meter, 30-ton hybrid rocket, from the Bowen Orbital Spaceport in Australia.
- The test flight lasted 14 seconds, resulting in an uncontrolled landing, although Gilmour Space characterized the launch as a success in terms of testing core systems and infrastructure.
- This launch represented several milestones: the first test flight of the Eris rocket, the first attempted launch of an Australian-designed orbital-class rocket, and the first use of the Bowen Orbital Spaceport.
- Despite the short flight, Gilmour Space emphasized the valuable data gathered for future iterations of the Eris rocket, acknowledging the iterative nature of rocket development.
On Wednesday, July 30, 2025, Gilmour Space Technologies completed the first test launch of its 23-meter, 30-ton hybrid Eris rocket from the Bowen Orbital Spaceport in North Queensland, Australia. Aiming to reach low Earth orbit, the rocket instead flew for just 14 seconds, arcing up and away from the launch pad and strafing sideways before making an uncontrolled touch down and disappearing into its plume.
A historic 14-second flight
In much of the media, the event was labeled a failure, citing the rocket’s brief, uncontrolled flight. Gilmour Space, however, defined the launch by a different metric, framing it as a successful first test of its core systems.
CEO Adam Gilmour elaborated on that perspective in Thursday’s press release: “Getting off the pad and into flight is a huge step forward for any new rocket program. This was the first real test of our rocket systems, our propulsion technology, and our spaceport — and it proved that much of what we’ve built works.”
The Eris TestFlight1 launch marked a number of firsts. Not only was it the first test flight of the Eris rocket, but it was also the first attempted launch of an Australian-designed and built orbital-class rocket, and the first use of the Bowen Orbital Spaceport (Australia’s first commercial launch site).
Gilmour celebrated the historic flight, stating, “Clearing the tower was a major milestone for our team. It showed that Australia can design, build, and launch rockets right here at home.”
The long road to liftoff
The July 30 liftoff followed a year of delays that tested the team’s resolve. The launch window, initially scheduled for May 2024, was repeatedly postponed due to technical issues and unfavorable upper-level winds. Gilmour remained candid about the process. “The thing about rocket launches is you never know until you go,” he said. “I’m kind of almost sick of this rocket. I want to get it up and away.”
Public support online was unwavering. “No need to rush, Space ain’t going anywhere!” wrote one fan on Facebook after news of a delay. Another captured the national mood: “Fingers crossed for the Team and Australia.” This encouragement underscored the pride invested in the homegrown company.
Eris may have only hopped for 14 seconds, but it carried the hopes of a nation’s space ambitions. In the tough business of rocketry, this first test was a success, at least according to Gilmour, providing a wealth of information for the team.
“Space is hard,” said Gilmour. “SpaceX, Rocket Lab, and others needed multiple test flights to reach orbit. We’ve learned a tremendous amount that will go directly into improving our next vehicle, which is already in production.”
