In a later statement, the company celebrated the launch as a major milestone, achieved with no injuries and no adverse environmental impacts.
“Space is hard,” chief executive Adam Gilmour said. “SpaceX, Rocket Lab and others needed multiple test flights to reach orbit. We’ve learned a tremendous amount that will go directly into improving our next vehicle, which is already in production.
Adam Gilmour said his company had learned a tremendous amount from the launch.Credit: Ben Searcy Photograohy
“Getting off the pad and into flight is a huge step forward for any new rocket program. This was the first real test of our rocket systems, our propulsion technology, and our spaceport – and it proved that much of what we’ve built works.”
Wednesday’s test flight represented the culmination of years of effort from a 200-strong team, more than 500 Australian suppliers, and support from government and industry, Gilmour Space said.
Another test flight is planned within months. Eventually, the company hoped to provide low-cost, responsive launch services for small satellites, which it said were in growing demand globally.
“Only six nations currently launch to orbit regularly – and just a handful are developing sovereign capability to join them,” Adam Gilmour said.
“We’ve now taken a big step toward joining that group.”
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