First Australian-made rocket carrying Vegemite crashes shortly after takeoff
The first Australian-made space rocket crashed shortly after taking off on its maiden flight on July 30, 2025, spending 14 seconds in the air.
The orbital rocket, called Eris, was built by Gilmour Space Technologies, was intended to be Australia’s first to reach orbit in 50 years.
The 25-meter tall rocket, which was reportedly carrying a jar of Vegemite on its nose cone, was launched from a spaceport in the north Queensland community of Bowen, about 1,150 kilometers north of Brisbane.
The venture-funded Australian aerospace company waited 18 months for the right launch window for Eris.
Although the rocket plummeted back to Earth shortly after takeoff, Gilmour Space Technologies celebrated its achievement of “14 seconds of flight.”
#image_title“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,” the company said in its LinkedIn post.
Gilmore Space Technologies also said that the team is “safe and energized” for a second test flight, adding that only six nations are able to launch to orbit regularly, with Australia close to joining that list.
The company received AU$5 million (US$3.2 million) from the Australian government for its Eris launch vehicle. The investment was made under the government’s Industry Growth Program to accelerate the development of Eris’ next generation liquid rocket engine.
RELATED
PLD Space gets €40.5 million to develop Spain’s first commercial space rocket
The post First Australian-made rocket carrying Vegemite crashes shortly after takeoff appeared first on AeroTime.
The first Australian-made space rocket crashed shortly after taking off on its maiden flight on July 30, 2025,…
The post First Australian-made rocket carrying Vegemite crashes shortly after takeoff appeared first on AeroTime.
