editorial

York Space Systems (York) launched the company’s BARD mission on July 23rd from Vandenberg Space Force Base and York made contact with the satellite on the first attempt—all systems are healthy on-orbit.

The mission will flight-demonstrate the Polylingual Experimental Terminal (PExT), an advanced communications payload designed to enable real-time interoperability between government and commercial satellite relay networks.

BARD was procured as a commercial mission from York and developed in collaboration with NASA’s Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) Program and Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL). The mission will flight-demonstrate PExT, an advanced communications payload designed to enable real-time interoperability between government and commercial satellite relay networks—a first-of-its-kind capability supporting NASA’s shift toward a commercial communications architecture.

The successful BARD launch comes only one month following the successful deployment of York’s Dragoon mission. Moreover, BARD is the second of five distinct missions York is executing in 2025 alone. From spacecraft design and manufacturing to full mission integration, launch, and operations, York’s end-to-end capabilities are enabling customers across the defense and commercial sectors to deploy critical space assets faster, more affordably, and with greater mission flexibility.

The success of BARD reinforces York’s commitment to delivering impactful missions with speed, resilience, and performance,” said Melanie Preisser, GM and Executive VP of York. “From Dragoon to BARD, we’re delivering complete space missions that meet the most urgent operational needs of our customers. York continues to lead the way in redefining how space-based capabilities are developed, launched, and operated.York Space Systems launches BARD mission.”

 NearSpace Launch, Inc. (NSL), provider in small satellite innovation and mission success, achieved a major milestone: over 1000 systems and subsystems successfully deployed in orbit. Since its founding in 2014, NSL has grown from a visionary startup into a strong spaceflight provider, delivering flight-proven solutions that support commercial, government, and scientific missions worldwide. The company’s portfolio includes full spacecraft, communications systems, EyeStar radios, ThinSat buses, Black Box mission recorders, and rapid-turn TT&C solutions.
            

“NearSpace Launch is a strategic partner of SEOPS and a company that understands how to achieve mission success. With over 1,000 systems on orbit, NSL celebrates a decade of innovation proving that relentless iteration and being obsessed with mission requirements results in trusted space capabilities” said Chad Brinkley, of SEOPS Space. With a proven track record of mission success across over 30 launches, NSL’s technologies are helping shape the future of low-Earth orbit (LEO) operations, enabling real-time telemetry, robust situational awareness, and simplified satellite integration.          

NSL’s systems are now part of numerous constellations projects and government initiatives, and its EyeStar radios are supporting global connectivity with 24/7 Iridium-based communications. As the company looks to the future, NSL remains committed to innovation, reliability, and expanding space access for emerging missions and new entrants alike.       

“This milestone represents more than just numbers,” said Dr. Hank Voss, Co-Founder of NearSpace Launch. “It reflects the dedication of our team, the strength of our partnerships, and the success of our mission to make space more accessible and resilient.”           

NearSpace Launch provides reliable, rapidly deployable satellite solutions including EyeStar radios, Black Box systems, and custom CubeSats. NSL has supported NASA, DoD, commercial, and u niversity missions with a focus on mission assurance, space domain awareness, and innovative communications.       

As it celebrates its “1000th” benchmark, NSL will be at the upcoming SmallSat conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, on August 10-13.

HawkEye 360 Inc. has enhanced the firm’s GNSS Interference (GNSS-I) Detection product suite—these upgrades—designed with defense, intelligence, and national security operations in mind—offer unprecedented accuracy, coverage, and insight into global GPS jamming and spoofing threats.

The update includes a new wider frequency algorithm that better distinguishes individual emitters, incorporates GPS spoofing detection, and is terrain adjusted for better geolocation accuracy, delivering greater situational awareness and more precise geolocation of interference sources worldwide.

Many high-stakes operations rely heavily on accurate and uninterrupted GPS signals. Disruptions to these signals, whether through intentional interference or incidental factors, can introduce uncertainty and compromise the effectiveness of critical activities. HawkEye 360’s enhanced GNSS Interference Detection product suite supports strategic decision-making by providing timely, precise insight into potential signal disruptions, enabling stakeholders to better assess risk, respond confidently, and maintain operational continuity in dynamic environments.

With this release, HawkEye 360’s GNSS-I Detection product suite now provides…

• 15x Increase in geolocation density
• Spoofing Detection and differentiation
• Terrain Adjusted for increased accuracy
• Consistent Monitoring across wide areas of interest

Enabling Action in Contested Environments
These enhancements further solidify HawkEye 360’s commitment to equipping national security and defense partners with tools to operate confidently in GPS-denied or disrupted environments.

HawkEye 360’s new spoofing detection capability identifies potentially malicious transmitters that imitate legitimate GPS Course/Acquisition (PRN) codes—a tactic increasingly used to deceive aircraft and mislead navigation systems. The capability supports threat mitigation and trend analysis by detecting and geolocating these spoofers down to a kilometer-level precision.

In contested environments, timely RF intelligence is the key to mission success,” said Alex Fox, President, International Business Unit. “Traditional land, sea, and air systems struggle in Anti-Access/Area Denial environments, while our satellites provide global GNSS-I detection and geolocation coverage. These enhanced capabilities give defense and intelligence teams the ability to identify and neutralize threats before they disrupt operations, enabling faster decisions and sharper visibility into adversary behavior.”

We deliver high-confidence RF intelligence that helps defense and intelligence professionals protect assets, outmaneuver threats, and gain the upper hand in the spectrum,” said Todd Probert, President, U.S. Government Business Unit. “By adding terrain-aware modeling, we give our partners a decisive advantage in detecting and responding to GPS interference—whether they’re operating in rugged mountains or dense urban environments. They can act with confidence, knowing the data is both precise and actionable.”

BlackSky Technology Inc. (NYSE: BKSY) has won the next phase of a competitive U.S. Navy research contract to further develop optical inter-satellite link (OISL) terminal apps for its Gen-3 constellation.

The OISL terminals are expected to increase the speed at which very high-resolution imagery and other high-volume space-based data travel directly between satellites before downlinking to ground stations.

Under the development agreement, BlackSky will explore hardware and software design adaptations, novel operating concepts for commercial transport network nodes and establish new protocols for data movement. Future Gen-3 satellites will be equipped with optical inter-satellite link terminals compatible with both the Space Development Agency’s Transport Layer and commercial transport networks.

Laser-based OISLs create high-bandwidth, direct communication lines between satellites, reducing the time it takes to transmit and process data. In addition to reduced latency and decision making, OISLs can provide a more secure and resilient data transmission path, making them less susceptible to interference and jamming.

This important award directly supports BlackSky’s ability to deliver timely, high-impact intelligence that drive decisions all the way to the tactical edges of the frontline,” said Brian O’Toole, BlackSky CEO. “High-speed inter-satellite communication links are a critical innovation that makes BlackSky’s commercial remote sensing services a robust and viable option for fleet-wide tactical ISR operations. Extending our Gen-3 capabilities with optical intersatellite link terminals will give customers reliable access to real-time earth imaging capabilities across the full range of warfighting scenarios. Enhanced Gen-3 satellites are expected to deliver data to end users 10 times faster than current systems, with data volumes five times greater than existing capabilities.”

Eycore, an emerging developer of compact synthetic-aperture-radar (SAR) payloads, and small-satellite manufacturer Kongsberg NanoAvionics (NanoAvionics) now have an agreement that will place Eycore’s inaugural SAR demonstrator into orbit.

The flight will test Eycore’s X-band radar on NanoAvionics’ flight-proven MP42 microsatellite bus. It will lay the groundwork for an all-European, military-grade SAR solution that provides rapid, sovereign access to sub-meter, day-night, all-weather imagery for governments as well as NATO and allied defence applications. The launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 Transporter rideshare mission is scheduled for the first quarter of 2026.

The spacecraft will operate from a 510 kilometer, sun-synchronous orbit (SSO). At the core of the mission is Eycore’s deployable active phased-array antenna. It consists of five panels, one fixed and four unfolding in space to create a large aperture without compromising launch volume.

NanoAvionics’ MP42 platform will provide the necessary peak power for the payload, data downlink, as well as the attitude control agility and stability required for various imaging modes for different intelligence requirements: Stripmap for continuous swath coverage Spotlight for sub-meter resolution of priority targets ScanSAR for very wide-area awareness.

Together, these modes enable operators to seamlessly shift from border-length surveillance to vehicle-level inspection, supporting a broad spectrum of operational needs across intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), border security, maritime domain awareness, and rapid disaster response.

The companies have also been working in parallel on a satellite bus and next-generation payload, offering even higher resolution, wider swath, longer imaging times, higher incidence angle, and other improvements.

Partnering with a reliable bus provider like Kongsberg NanoAvionics lets us focus on perfecting our SAR technology while de-risking the platform, launch, and operations,” said Tomasz Kusowski, Co-founder & VP of the Management Board of Eycore. “This demonstrator is the springboard for high-performance European SAR satellites that will deliver tactical data for national security and defense applications.”

Atle Wøllo, CEO of Kongsberg NanoAvionics, said, “Across Europe we are seeing rising demand for domestically controlled, all-weather Earth observation. By combining our small satellites with Eycore’s sensors, we are giving governments a fast, cost-effective path to sovereign SAR capabilities that strengthen national security and resilience.”

Amazon’s Project Kuiper, its would-be broadband satellite rival to Elon Musk’s Starlink, is gearing up for its next launches.

It has a new 100,000 square foot payload processing facility at Kennedy Space Center in Florida that is capable of preparing satellites for three near-simultaneous launch campaigns.

The facility, when fully operational, will turn out 100 satellites per month. Amazon says it is already building a secondary support site that will improve that output. Phase 1 of the build was opened in April.

Amazon says it has secured more than 80 launches to deploy its initial satellite constellation, using a combination of rockets from Arianespace, Blue Origin, SpaceX, and United Launch Alliance (ULA). Most of those missions will launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida, and now having its own dedicated payload processing facility nearby means Amazon can streamline satellite processing, integration, and encapsulation work, and move more quickly from the factory to the launch pad.

Project Kuiper opened a satellite production factory in Kirkland, Washington State, in 2024, that gives it the capacity to build up to five satellites per day at peak. Once satellites are built, tested, and cleared for launch, they are safely transported across the country to its new payload processing facility at Kennedy Space Center.

There are no precise dates for the next Kuiper launches other than a ULA (KV-01) launch on a Vulcan VC6L in Q3, and at least three on ULA Atlas rockets (KA-06, KA-07, KA-08) as well as three other Atlas launches without—as yet—fixed dates.

We’ve completed three missions in less than three months, and we’re continuing to pick up the pace as we prepare to begin delivering service to customers. Our facilities and team in Florida play a critical role in that process,” said Steve Metayer, VP/production operations at Project Kuiper. “At full capacity, this building will house three dispenser systems stacked full of Kuiper satellites, and a combination of fairings from rockets like Atlas V, Vulcan, New Glenn, and Falcon 9. There’s nothing else like it on the Space Coast.”

Sidus Space, Inc. (Nasdaq: SIDU) closed its previously announced best-efforts public offering of 7,143,000 shares of its Class A common stock.

Each share of Class A common stock was sold at a public offering price of $1.05 per share for gross proceeds of approximately $7.5 million, before deducting the placement agent’s fees and offering expenses. All of the shares of common stock were offered by the Company.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering for (i) sales and marketing, (ii) operational costs, (iii) product development, (iv) manufacturing expansion and (v) working capital and other general corporate purposes.

This offering, coupled with our recently announced launch of our dual-use Fortis VPX product line with integrated AI/ML processing, positions Sidus to focus on significant growth opportunities,” said Carol Craig, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer.

Adarsh Parekh, Chief Financial Officer, said, “The additional capital bolsters our liquidity, allowing our team to fully focus on the execution of our strategy and high growth initiatives that we expect will drive real outcomes for our customers.”

ThinkEquity acted as sole placement agent for the offering.

The United States Space Force’s (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) continues to transform the way satellite communications (SATCOM) capabilities are acquired. The Command has awarded a Protected Tactical Satellite Communications (SATCOM) – Global (PTS-G) Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract and initial five Firm Fixed Price orders under Delivery Order 1 (DO1) totaling $37.5 million to the following companies:

• Viasat, Inc.
• Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
• Astranis Space Technologies Corp
• Intelsat General Communications LLC
• The Boeing Company

PTS-G delivers resilience to military users worldwide with proliferated small satellites providing anti-jam capability in Geosynchronous Orbit (GEO). The DoD requires wideband global assured access for the tactical warfighter, ensuring their freedom to connect anytime, anywhere operations require. PTS-G is the cost-effective component of Space Force architecture that takes advantage of the advanced PTW waveform while maximizing use of existing user and gateway terminals.

During the first delivery order, each awardee will mature a design and provide demonstrations based upon their established commercial product lines, to meet PTS-G requirements. The results of this initial order will inform subsequent competition for follow-on production orders.

The initial PTS-G IDIQ award will be followed by an award in 2026 for the production of PTS-G Space Vehicles to meet IOC capability, with a projected launch in 2028, putting the first PTS-G satellite into orbit. A second wave of production awards for additional PTS-G satellite capability is planned for 2028, with launch planned for 2031.

Our PTS-G contract transforms how SSC acquires SATCOM capability for the warfighter,” said Cordell DeLaPena, Jr., program executive officer for SSC Military Communications and Positioning, Navigation and Timing. “The incorporation of commercial baseline designs to meet military capability significantly enhances the Space Force’s speed and efficiency to add capability to meet emerging threats.”

Erin Carper, division chief for SSC Tactical SATCOM, said, “By maximizing the use of commercially available products and awarding to a pool of offerors on this IDIQ contract, the Space Force ensures value for the DoD and taxpayer while driving competition and promoting the long-term viability of the SATCOM industrial base.”

Space Systems Command is the U.S. Space Force field command responsible for acquiring, developing, and delivering resilient capabilities to outpace emerging threats and protect our Nation’s strategic advantage in, from, and to space. SSC manages a $15.6 billion annual space acquisition budget for the Department of Defense, working with joint forces, industry partners, government agencies, academia, and allied nations.

Gilmour Space Technologies has completed the maiden test launch of Australia’s first locally designed and built orbital rocket — a major milestone toward offering low-cost, responsive launch services for small satellites globally. The 23-meter, 30-tonne Eris rocket, powered by new hybrid propulsion technology, successfully lifted off from the Bowen Orbital Spaceport in North Queensland, achieving approximately 14 seconds of flight.

The TestFlight 1 campaign was the first integrated attempt of an orbital-class rocket designed and built entirely in Australia. It also marked the first use of the newly licensed Bowen Orbital Spaceport — Australia’s first commercial orbital launch site, built by Gilmour Space to support future missions.

Eris was developed almost entirely in-house — including propulsion, structures, avionics, software, and the spaceport itself — on a fraction of the budget available to most global launch companies.

“Space is hard,” said Adam Gilmour, CEO of Gilmour Space Technologies. “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.”

“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.”

Importantly, there were no injuries to any person and no adverse environmental impacts.

“Only six nations currently launch to orbit regularly — and just a handful are developing sovereign capability to join them,” he said. “We’ve now taken a big step toward joining that group.”

“Clearing the tower was a major milestone for our team. It showed that Australia can design, build, and launch rockets right here at home,” Gilmour said.

As part of this historic campaign, Gilmour Space worked closely with many stakeholders and regulators — including the Australian Space Agency, Civil Aviation Safety Authority, Air Services Australia, Maritime authorities, and others — to help shape and navigate the rules needed to safely launch rockets from Australia for the first time.

Initial data confirms that key systems performed well until the anomaly, including ignition, liftoff, first-stage thrust, range tracking and telemetry. The team is now reviewing flight data to understand the cause of the anomaly that led to early termination, with lessons already being applied to the next vehicle, which is in production.

Looking Ahead:
The TestFlight 1 mission represents the culmination of years of effort by a team of more than 200 people, over 500 Australian suppliers, and strong support from government and industry and close coordination with the Australian Space Agency, CASA, Airservices Australia, maritime authorities, and others. It is the next step in Gilmour’s mission to provide low-cost, responsive launch services for small satellites — a capability in growing demand globally.

The team will now review flight data and apply lessons learned to the next Eris rocket, with plans to launch again within [XX] months.

“Every test, especially the first, is a learning opportunity,” said Gilmour. “Congratulations to our talented team for getting us this far. Onward to TestFlight 2.”

Aussie, Gilmour Space Technologies, posts launch ‘will be back’ Wednesday

MISSION: Gilmour Space’s Eris TestFlight1 will be the first Australian-made rocket to attempt orbit, and the nation’s first orbital launch in over 50 years. The launch will be from Bowen Orbital Spaceport, a private orbital launch facility owned and operated by Gilmour Space hosts of the Eris Pad.

The forecast calls for a temperature of 63°F, clear skies, 3% cloud cover and a wind speed of 3mph.

29 July 2025

SCRUBBED FOR TODAY – BACK JULY 30

(7.30am to 5.30pm)​​​​

We scrubbed today (Jul 29) due to upper level winds exceeding our limits.

We’ll be back July 30, 7.30am to 5.30pm AEST

​​LAUNCH SITE: Bowen Orbital Spaceport, North Queensland.

*FAQ: Why does the launch date keep moving?

Rocket launches are complex and delays are normal. Weather, range availability, regulatory checks, final system tests (and last-minute anomalies!) can all affect when a rocket is ready to fly.​

No Earlier Than (NET) is the global standard for space launches, giving teams the flexibility to launch safely within an approved launch window—esp. important for a first-of-its-kind test flight, where every system is being put through its full end-to-end test for the very first time.

In Australia, that also means close coordination with the Australian Space Agency, CASA, Airservices Australia, maritime authorities, and more.

We’ll keep sharing the latest NET date so you can stay up to date, or feel free to check back after launch day. 

Australia’s Gilmour Space Technologies posts delay of launch now Tuesday. hopefully

Announcement today regarding the Eris launch has been pushed out one day as shown below:

The launch will be from Bowen Orbital Spaceport, a private orbital launch facility owned and operated by Gilmour Space hosts of the Eris Pad which has witnessed the launch of 0 rockets, including 0 orbital launch attempts.

28 July 2025

LAUNCH UPDATE: CURRENTLY TRACKING NET JULY 29 (Afternoon)* ​​​​

Thank you for your patience and support as we take this next step in Australia’s space journey.

We are currently expecting our launch window to open No Earlier Than (NET) Tuesday Jul 29. However, do monitor our website for updates.

On launch days, please note:​​​

• Launch may occur any time between 7:30am – 5:30pm​​
• Avoid designated Hazard Areas in land, air, and sea (see orange button for details)

> Pilots:  Check current NOTAMs (Notices to Airmen)​​​

> Mariners:  Refer to NOTMARs (Notice to Mariners)​​​​

> All:  Please monitor updates from CASA, Airservices Australia, Maritime Safety, and Gilmour Space.​​​

• No advance notice will be given before liftoff
• If we stand down (or scrub) for the day, we will confirm that here (and our Facebook page) by 5.30pm
• A post-launch video and update will be shared as soon as possible

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Australia’s Gilmour Space Technologies is prepping for their first Eris test flight on Saturday

After several delays Gilmour Space Technologies is planning up for their first Eris Test flight on Saturday, July 26, at 2:30 PM – 12:30 AM PDT.

The forecast calls for a temperature of 65°F, clear skies, 4% cloud cover and a wind speed of 3mph.

The launch will be from Bowen Orbital Spaceport, a private orbital launch facility owned and operated by Gilmour Space hosts of the Eris Pad which has witnessed the launch of 0 rockets, including 0 orbital launch attempts.

This will be the first Australian-made rocket, #Eris, to attempt orbit, and the nation’s first orbital launch in over 50 years.

From Gilmour on 16 July 2025​: LAUNCH SCRUBBED: NEXT WINDOW NET JULY 27

We’re standing down from this week’s launch window and aiming for our next opportunity starting July 27.

​Unfortunately, operational delays set us back a day and the latest upper wind forecasts have now ruled out a safe launch from Thursday through the rest of the week.

Not the outcome we hoped for, but that’s the nature of test flights. Chin up and eyes forward to NET 27 July! 

Australia’s Gilmour Space plans Wednesday for maiden launch of Eris Test Flight1

Gilmour Space Technologies is gearing up for their first Eris Test flight on Wednesday, July 16, at 2:30 PM – 12:30 AM PDT.

The launch will be from Bowen Orbital Spaceport, a private orbital launch facility owned and operated by Gilmour Space hosts of the Eris Pad which has witnessed the launch of 0 rockets, including 0 orbital launch attempts.

This will be the first Australian-made rocket, #Eris, to attempt orbit, and the nation’s first orbital launch in over 50 years.

Gilmour’s vision: ALL ORBITS. ALL PLANETS ®

The forecast calls for a temperature of 62°F, clear skies, 1% cloud cover and a wind speed of 6mph.

Australia’s Gilmour Space Technologies plans maiden flight of Eris Test Flight1 on July 16, nation’s first orbital launch in over 50 years

Gilmour Space plans a Tuesday, July 15, launch for the maiden flight of Eris Test Flight1 at 2:30 PM – 12:30 AM PDT. The launch will be from Bowen Orbital Spaceport, a private orbital launch facility owned and operated by Gilmour Space hosts of the Eris Pad which has witnessed the launch of 0 rockets, including 0 orbital launch attempts.

Eris TestFlight1 will be the first Australian-made rocket, #Eris, to attempt orbit, and the nation’s first orbital launch in over 50 years. Gilmour’s vision: ALL ORBITS. ALL PLANETS ®

The forecast calls for a temperature of 53°F, few clouds, 15% cloud cover and a wind speed of 7mph.

Gilmour Space Technologies is a venture-funded Australian space company headquartered in Queensland, Australia that is developing hybrid-engine rockets and associated technology to support the development of a low-cost space launch vehicle.

Australia’s Gilmour Space Technologies ready to launch maiden Eris Test flight the nation’s first orbital launch in over 50 years

Gilmour Space Technologies is gearing up for their first Eris Test flight, no earlier than May 15. Gilmour Space’s Eris TestFlight1 will be the first Australian-made rocket, #Eris, to attempt orbit, and the nation’s first orbital launch in over 50 years. Gilmour’s vision: ALL ORBITS. ALL PLANETS ®

Weather forecast calls for a temperature of 77 °F, clear skies, 4% cloud cover and a wind speed of 5 mph.

Gilmour Space Technologies is the leading launch services company in Australia, located in Bowen Orbital Spaceport, North Queensland, ​providing valuable access to space to global Commercial and Defense customers. Backed by some of the country’s biggest investors, Gilmour Space is tracking to launch Eris orbital launch vehicles and ElaraSat bus/platforms to Low Earth Orbits (LEO) from 2025.

Bowen Orbital Spaceport hosts the Eris Pad which has witnessed the launch of 0 rockets, including 0 orbital launch attempts. While Bowen Orbital Spaceport, has been the site for 0 rocket launches. Private orbital launch facility owned and operated by Gilmour Space.

Gilmour has said that they plan to have fifty of their personnel based in Bowen for the inaugural launch. Eris’ maiden flight will be the first orbital launch attempt of an Australian rocket from Australian soil, according to co-founder and CEO Adam Gilmour.

Gilmour Space announces launch window for the Eris orbital rocket

The countdown is on—Gilmour Space Technologies has announced a launch window starting ‘no earlier than’ March 15 for the maiden flight of Eris, the first Australian-designed and built rocket aiming for orbit.

The news follows final airspace approvals from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and Airservices Australia, clearing the last regulatory hurdle before launch. It also marks the culmination of years of innovative R&D and manufacturing by the Gold Coast-based company, which developed the Eris launch vehicle and Bowen Orbital Spaceport in North Queensland.

Gilmour Space made history in March last year when its Bowen spaceport was granted the first orbital launch facility license in Australia, and when it secured the country’s first Australian Launch Permit for Eris Test Flight 1 in November. Now, with airspace arrangements finalised and mandatory notice given to the Australian Space Agency, the company is preparing for liftoff.

“This will be the first attempt of an Australian rocket to reach orbit from Australian soil,” said Adam Gilmour, co-founder and CEO of Gilmour Space. The company is backed by private investors including Blackbird, Main Sequence, Fine Structure Ventures, Queensland Investment Corporation, and superannuation funds such as HESTA and Hostplus. 

With the March 15 window fast approaching, Mr. Gilmour highlighted a few key points for those less familiar with rocket launches:

First, it’s important to understand that delays or ‘scrubs’ are a normal part of rocket launches. These can last anywhere from hours to days, or even weeks, and are often caused by weather conditions, technical issues, or other factors. “Safety is always the top priority. We’ll only launch when we’re ready, and when conditions are appropriate,” he said.

Secondly, the first launch is always the hardest. Reaching orbit is a highly complex engineering challenge, and every successful rocket company has faced setbacks in their early attempts—SpaceX, for one, did it on their fourth attempt. “It’s almost unheard of for a private rocket company to launch successfully to orbit the first time. Whether we make it off the pad, reach max Q, or get all the way to space, what’s important is that every second of flight will deliver valuable data that will improve our rocket’s reliability and performance for future launches.”

Thirdly, this is the path we must take to build the launch capability required to meet the growing demand for access to space. For Australia, launching locally-owned and controlled rockets from home soil also means more high-tech jobs, greater security, economic growth, and technological independence. “Only six countries in the world are launching regularly to space using their own technology, and Australia could soon join their ranks.”

Finally, he said: “I want to thank our incredible team for all their hard work and dedication in getting to this critical first flight. Whatever happens next, know that you’ve already made history—we now build rockets in Australia. And this is only the beginning.”

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