Gilmour Space’s Bowen Orbital Spaceport granted Australia’s first orbital launch facility licence

Australia’s first orbital launch facility has been granted a licence under the Space (Launches & Returns) Act 2018. Located within the Abbot Point State Development Area in north Queensland, the Bowen Orbital Spaceport is built and operated by Gold Coast-based Gilmour Space Technologies, which plans to offer commercial orbital launch services – including satellite platforms and dedicated/rideshare launches – to Low Earth Orbits (LEO).

The Bowen Orbital Spaceport received grant funding from the Australian Government as part of the Modern Manufacturing Strategy and is co-funded by the Queensland Government and Gilmour Space. The licence is a vote of confidence in the company’s technical capability and paves the way for the launch of Australia’s first sovereign-made rockets, ‘bridging Country to Sky’, says the company.

Gilmour Space Technologies has also secured approval from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, enabling the operation of the spaceport at Abbot Point.

“Australia now has its own ‘road’ to space,” said Gilmour Space Co-founder and CEO, Adam Gilmour. “The ability to launch our own satellites, on launch vehicles that we own and control, to key orbits in space from Australia, will be a significant capability for our global customers, as well as for our nation and allies.”

Added James Gilmour, Co-founder and Head of Launch Operations at Gilmour Space: “It’s been two years since we started the project, engaging with the Juru traditional owners and other stakeholders at the local, state and federal levels. We’ve seen these efforts lead to diversified business opportunities, jobs, and investment in Bowen and greater Whitsunday region; and it will be exciting to see ‘rocket tourism’ emerging to support the local economy.”

Eris TestFlight 1 is targeted to launch in the coming months, pending approval of the launch permit by the Australian Space Agency.