By Paul Gellatly
"Keep clear of the 35-tonne flamey thing in the sky," is the admonition from Gilmour Space as it begins the complicated countdown to the launch of its Eris rocket from its launchpad just north of Bowen.
The Aussie larrikin but memorable phrase belies the enormous premium the spaceport venture start-up is placing on safety around the rocket's launch path, which was described in detail by Gilmour Space representatives at a special meeting of the Bowen Chamber of Commerce on April 22.
The wine and cheese evening reciprocated the town business community's keen interest in the project, with around 120 people - the largest audience yet hosted by the chamber at the Larrikin Hotel - filling out the function room.
Excitement is building for the launch as Gilmour Space navigates endless regulatory hurdles as it "dares to dream" on developing a sovereign aerospace capability Down Under. Gilmour Space co-founder James Gilmore told the audience that the pay-off, if the company's efforts succeed, could be a considerable share of the demand for launch vehicles for the predicted 10,000 satellites needing to be hoisted aloft during the next 10 years.
"There are still a few government regulations and licences to be approved" before launch, Mr Gilmour said, adding that he couldn't as yet provide a precise launch date, as hopes for May 4 have been dashed.
Satellites of all kinds could one day be launched from the Bowen Orbital Spaceport.
While Mr Gilmour said the plan was for the 23 metre, three-stage Eris rocket making low earth orbit of around 500km with about 11.25 orbits a day, he was careful to hose down expectations for the success of the initial launch. "Do you know how many aerospace companies have been successful on their first launch?" he asked. "Zero".
With a potential mission failure back of mind, Gilmour Space has prioritised launch safety around the flight corridor, which leads in a northeastern direction from Bowen across the Coral Sea, and has committed to advising the community about the momentary disruption to land, sea and air movements as the rocket makes its bid for earth orbit.
Gilmour Space's range safety officer Gavin Macaulay and launch site operations manager Adam Williams also introduced themselves to the audience.
Mr Williams said in an explosion of the rocket at launch, the blast would blow in car windows at 900m. If it reached altitude and exploded, the risks from debris were high to land, air and sea traffic. "On launch day, let's just not be there," he said.
Gilmour Space's plan is for all traffic in the launch zone to be excluded 15 minutes before the launch, to 15 minutes afterward.
The Eris rocket has been erected in vertical position, allowing for all pre-launch checking bar the actual launch. Once in orbit, the rocket will deploy a test ''payload", which will remain in orbit for about 20 days before re-entering Earth's atmosphere, and burning up.
Gilmour Space designed and built the rocket to its own design and it is built from more than 80 per cent Australian components. It uses a hybrid fuel system comprising a plasticised propellant with a hydrogen peroxide oxidiser, to provide oxygen for combustion drive in the airless environment of space orbit.
Mr Gilmour said the company's dream extended to sending up to five astronauts into space in a rocket launched from the Bowen space port facility by the end of this decade. "I'd like to go up myself," he said before adding wistfully, "I'd also like to come back!"
Adam Williams promised an auditory and visual treat for Bowen when the Eris rocket does lift off, with all of the town being able to witness the spectacle.
He said all the latest advice about the pending launch could be obtained from the Gilmour Space website gspace.com or through its Facebook page.
Bowen Chamber of Commerce chairman Bruce Hedditch with (from left) Gilmore Space's range safety officer Gavin Macaulay, company co-founder James Gilmour and launch site operations manager Adam Williams. Photo credit: Paul Gellatly
