Gilmour’s rockets are not flying yet but the deals are
Gold Coast-based Gilmour Space Technologies is yet to successfully test launch its Eris rocket but its commercial opportunities are already flying.
The Yatala-headquartered company has this week announced a partnership with Japanese company Space BD.
Space BD has supported more than 90 satellite missions and more than 600 space-related projects, with expertise in launch integration, satellite deployment, and supporting experiments on the International Space Station.
The deal will potentially provide a pipeline of customers wanting to launch sateliites into space using Gilmour Space's Eris launch vehicles and ElaraSat platforms.
Head of Sales at Gilmour Space David Jervis said the company was very excited to be partnering with Space BD.
“This collaboration opens new opportunities to deliver Australian-made launch services to more customers across the Asia-Pacific.”
Space BD Head of Launch Unit, Mia Lee, said the partnership would benefit both companies.
"We are very pleased to announce the start of our collaboration with Gilmour Space Technologies,’’ Ms Lee said.
“By leveraging not only their (Gilmour’s) geographically advantageous launch capabilities but also their integrated, satellite platform-based one-stop service, we aim to fully support global customers in realising their space demonstration missions."
Meanwhile, a new launch window for Gilmour’s Eris Test Flight 1 opens next week (July 16) at the company’s purpose-built Bowen Orbital Spaceport at the Abbot Point State Development Area in North Queensland.
If successful, it would be the first ever launch of an Australian designed and built rocket. It would also mean that Australia would become one of about a dozen countries in the world to launch a rocket into space.
Founded in 2015 by brothers Adam and James Gilmour, the company has been working towards the first launch for nearly 10 years.
Eris is a three-stage rocket powered by a hybrid rocket engine. It is about the same height as a 7-storey building and at lift-off weighs 34 tonnes – equal to about 17 average sized cars.
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