Historic Aussie rocket launch just days away
Gilmour Space Technologies has confirmed it is targeting a launch window of July 1 to July 3 from launchpad in North Queensland.
The launch has been delayed by previous technical issues, with Gilmour Space chief executive, Adam Gilmour, telling 7News: 'I'm kind of almost sick of this rocket'.
The protective nose which shields the rocket from the atmospheric pressure was one issue for the engineers to fix at the last launch attempt, along with problems in the data-collecting sensors.
'We have done a full test again of the vehicle just to be safe,' Mr Gilmour said. Gilmour Technologies has announced the Eris launch window is July 1 to July 3. Gilmour Technologies Credit: Supplied
Upper-level winds are the biggest environmental challenge now facing the 25-metre, three-stage Eris rocket.
A Gilmour satellite was launched aback a SpaceX rocket this week - a launch which was pushed back by similar weather conditions.
'That launch was delayed three days because of upper-level winds, and we're seeing the same high winds here as well,' Mr Gilmour said.
'That was really good … We'd made a few prototypes, but we'd never taken them to space,' he said of his firm's satellite.
The satellite will monitor algae in Queensland's rivers and lakes. The Gold Coast company hopes to finally launch its Eris rocket after months of delays. Gilmour Technologies Credit: Supplied
Gold Coast-based Gilmour Space plans to launch its rocket from the only certified Australian launch facility, the Bowen Orbital Spaceport, 150km southeast of Townsville.
In May, the Australian Space Agency notified Gilmour Space that the company could launch Eris.
Technical issues scuppered two launch attempts, the second time the rocket's nose cone accidentally opened, half an hour before takeoff.
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