Overview

• Gilmour Space Technologies' Eris rocket, the first Australian-made orbital rocket, faced delays after an electrical fault caused premature deployment of its carbon-fibre nose cone.
• The pre-flight issue occurred before fueling, leading to the postponement of the historic test launch from Bowen Orbital Spaceport in North Queensland.
• The company is sourcing a replacement nose cone and anticipates resuming launch preparations in the coming weeks.
• This follows a previous delay caused by an external power system glitch during system checks on May 15, highlighting the complexities of rocket development.
• If successful, the Eris rocket would mark a significant milestone in Australia's space ambitions, aiming to establish a commercial satellite launch service by 2026–27.