The Bowen Orbital Spaceport is located within the Abbot Point State Development Area. Photo: Gilmour Space.
Gold Coast-based space launch company Gilmour Space has been granted a launch facility licence for its Bowen Orbital Spaceport in north Queensland.
The licence comes just weeks before the company is scheduled to launch its first Eris Block 1 rocket on its maiden flight into space. The licence was issued by Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic, and is the first for an orbital launch facility in Australia.
The spaceport is located within the Abbot Point State Development Area about 30 km west-northwest of Bowen. It was built using Modern Manufacturing Strategy grant funding from the Federal Government, and its ongoing operations are co-funded by the Queensland Government and Gilmour Space.
Next up for Gilmour is to gain a launch permit from the Australian Space Agency (ASA) for the Eris 1, and the company is continuing to work with the ASA’s Office of the Space Regulator to demonstrate the launch satisfies the criteria of the Space (Launches and Returns) Act 2018.
Gilmour Space Co-founder and CEO Adam Gilmour said Australia now had its own road to space.
“The ability to launch our own satellites, on launch vehicles that we own and control, to key orbits in space from Australia, will be a significant capability for our global customers, as well as for our nation and allies,” he said.
Co-founder and Head of Launch Operations James Gilmour added, “It’s been two years since we started the project, engaging with the Juru traditional owners and other stakeholders at the local, state and federal levels.
“We’ve seen these efforts lead to diversified business opportunities, jobs, and investment in Bowen and greater Whitsunday region; and it will be exciting to see ‘rocket tourism’ emerging to support the local economy.”
Gilmour’s Eris 1 rocket is scheduled to be launched once it receives a launch permit from the Australian Space Agency. Photo: Gilmour Space.
The granting of the Bowen Orbital Spaceport licence comes just days after the Federal Government announced $9 million in funding to support 12 Australian space projects which align with NASA’s Artemis mission.
Some of the projects include:
- QLD-based Valiant Space will receive $934,500 to develop a new non-toxic propulsion system that will support more sustainable and responsible use of space.
- NextAero will receive $1,000,000 to design, manufacture and validate cutting-edge cryogenic rocket propellants, which are predicted to be central to next generation sustainable spacecraft and rocket systems.
- HEO will receive $742,164 to develop advanced cameras for imaging satellites to better track space debris and objects, ensuring safe and sustainable use of space.
- Neumann Space will receive $1,000,000 to locally develop a world-class spacecraft electric propulsion manufacturing and test facility, to support national and international space missions.
Minister Husic said the projects showed the exceptional research and innovation that was happening in Australia’s space sector and how our companies could contribute on the global stage.
“Excitingly, the technologies and products being developed also have applications that can see us respond to important challenges and opportunities – from addressing climate change to driving growth in government priority areas like robotics, quantum and advanced manufacturing,” he said.
ASA Head Enrico Palermo said, “These projects show the agility and innovative nature of Australia’s space companies, and how we can carve our niche in big international missions.
“Space is a global endeavour and by working with our partners like NASA we can create outcomes that benefit Australia, while also contributing to solutions to global challenges.”
