Excitement is building ahead of the much-anticipated launch of Gilmour Space Technologies’ rocket ship, with the inaugural flight expected to depart from its base in Bowen before the end of the year.
If the launch is successful, Australian company Gilmour Space, could be the first to send a hybrid-rocket into space, and currently the race is on to see which global entity can get there first.
Hybrid rockets use a mixture of solid fuel and liquid oxidiser, and despite being commonly used at universities, they are renowned to be difficult to scale up.
“It’s new rocket tech and it’s hard to scale but we’ve managed to do it,” said Michelle Gilmour, Director Marketing and Communications for Gilmour Space Technologies.
“We chose the hybrid model because it is safer and cheaper to develop – we’re very close to getting the rocket on the pad which is the first step to success.”
Gilmour Space have built two rockets and are aiming to send two shipments to low-earth orbit in 2024.
Their plans are to increase this to between three to four in 2025 and up to 10 rockets in the years after.
Each payload will be transporting a satellite anywhere between 500 kilometres and 2000 kilometres into space.
They could contain communication, observation, fire detection, water management satellites, to name a few.
Mayor Julie Hall said the venture will contribute over $4 million into our local economy and create ongoing contracts for up to 20 local businesses.
"I am so excited that our region will get to be part of such a fundamental and life changing experience,” she said.
"We are expecting to see over 80 Space Tech officials and anywhere between 5,000 to 10,000 visitors arrive in Bowen for the official launch of the first information rocket.”
Whitsunday Mayor Julie Hall and Isaac Mayor Anne Baker take a tour of Gilmour Space Technologies’ base in Bowen. Photo supplied
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