Rocket at the ready as Gilmour Space launches Bowen Spaceport

The site of Australia’s first orbital rocket launch has officially opened in another significant milestone for Queensland’s burgeoning space industry.

Located within the Abbot Point State Development Area in North Queensland, the Bowen Orbital Spaceport is operated by Gold Coast based Gilmour Space Technologies.  

Gilmour’s 23-metre, 35-tonne Eris rocket is capable of launching small satellites into low earth orbits and is now assembled on site in anticipation of its maiden launch in the coming weeks. 

It is one of only three launch providers globally to have its own dedicated launch site, ensuring a consistent launch cadence once the rocket has successfully reached orbit.

 Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick:

“The Queensland Space Industry Strategy I released in 2020 outlined our plan to create even more jobs in more industries for Queenslanders.

“We wanted to see Queensland boldly go where no state has gone before, and Gilmour Space Technologies is now doing just that.

“Never before has an Australian-made, Australian-owned rocket launched into orbit anywhere in our nation, and it’s Queenslanders – backed by the Miles Labor Government – making history.

“Since our original Business Investment Fund investment through QIC in 2021, Gilmour Space has created more than 100 jobs from their homebase on the Gold Coast, supported by a local manufacturing supply chain.

“At more than double the height of Bowen’s Big Mango, the 23-metre Eris rocket could also become the next big tourism drawcard for the Whitsunday region, which is another win for the local economy.      

“With the Spaceport now open and the Eris rocket fully assembled on site, the countdown begins for this Queensland success story to soar to new heights.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for State Development and Infrastructure Grace Grace:

“Now more than ever, the space sector is recognised as critical for sovereign capability in defence, telecommunications, industry innovation and competitiveness, climate change, and in the day-to-day technology we all use.

“Queensland is ready to harness this enormous potential and build an even stronger space industry, for the benefit of all Queenslanders.

 We’ve been proud to support this venture through the Industry Partnership Program”.

Quotes attributable to Gilmour Space Technologies founder and CEO Adam Gilmour:

“Thanks to the vision and support of our investors, partners, the Queensland Government and local Juru people and community in this region, Australia will soon bridge ‘Country to Sky’.

“The Bowen Orbital Spaceport will provide valuable access to space from Australia, enabled by rockets and satellites developed, manufactured, and launched right here in Queensland. 

“It will be a launch pad for our global customers to deploy their satellite technologies, such as for communications, earth imagery, disaster resilience, water management, border protection and Defence.”

Eris TestFlight 1 is targeted to launch in the coming weeks, pending approval of the launch permit by the Australian Space Agency.

Business investment funds managed by QIC have invested $152 million into 78 Queensland businesses, creating more than 1,200 jobs.

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