Australia to launch its 1st orbital rocket in March

By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) - Australia is set to make its first attempt to send a rocket into orbit next month.

A Queensland company planning to send satellites to space will launch its first test rocket after March 15, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on Monday.

Gilmour Space Technologies had hoped to launch its test rocket, Eris, in May 2024, but did not receive final airspace approvals until late last year.

James Gilmour, the company’s co-founder, said he believed a successful test launch of Eris, a 23-meter high rocket, would be a "historic moment" for the country and demonstrate a "sovereign space capability that has never been seen before in Australia."

He, however, said the launch could be delayed due to "technical or environmental" reasons such as the strengthening Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

A category one system is moving toward the central Queensland coast but its path remains unclear.

The Eris rocket will be unmanned, but a sole jar of vegemite will be on board. "We hope that no jars of vegemite will be hurt in this maiden attempt," Gilmour said.