Photo from Gilmour Space of Testflight1 of their Eris rocket lifting off from the pad.
Photo from Gilmour Space showing a close up of the hybrid rocket motors of TestFlight 1 of their Eris rocket just after liftoff. 3 of the motors have well defined engine exhaust plumes with mach diamonds, but the 4th (furthest from camera) is not so clear.
Screenshot of a Facebook post by Gilmour Space noting the positives from Testflight1 of their Eris rocket. The text is:
Today, Eris became the first orbital launch vehicle to lift off from Australian soil
— achieving around 14 seconds of flight.
For a maiden test flight, especially after an extended 18-month wait on the pad for final approvals,
this is a strong result and a major step forward for Australia's sovereign space capability.
® Smooth operations through terminal count and T-0
Successful autosequence and ignition of all four first-stage hybrid rocket engines.
® 23 seconds of engine burn time, 14 seconds of flight
Successful integrated operation between rocket and ground systems
® Liftoff from Bowen Orbital Spaceport, clearing the tower
® Flight software & GNC performing as expected
®@ Extensive flight data collected
Safe execution of launch and range operations
® From early indications, launch site infrastructure appear intact
Most importantly, the team is safe and energised for Test Flight 2.
Only six nations launch to orbit regularly — and just a handful are working to join them. Today
brings Australia closer to that club.
A huge congratulations to our tireless team, and thank you all for your incredible support. Onwards
to TestFlight2! =: #
(More photos and videos to come from our friends in the media.)
Gilmour Space have posted a couple of good photos of the brief flight of Eris TestFlight 1 on their Facebook page, along with a very positive take on events.
In the second photo, a closeup of the flamey end of the rocket very soon after liftoff, it looks like the […]
[Original post on aus.social]
