{"id":755957,"date":"2026-06-23T22:41:18","date_gmt":"2026-06-23T22:41:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/755957\/"},"modified":"2026-06-23T22:41:18","modified_gmt":"2026-06-23T22:41:18","slug":"gilmour-space-builds-defence-capability-with-first-hypersonic-rocket-test-in-north-queensland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/755957\/","title":{"rendered":"Gilmour Space builds defence capability with first hypersonic rocket test in North Queensland"},"content":{"rendered":"

A hypersonic flight service run by a Gold Coast space company will allow Defence agencies and scientists to test equipment at seven times the speed of sound.<\/p>\n

Gilmour Space Technologies plans to fly its first hypersonic rocket from its spaceport in North Queensland by August, pending government approvals.<\/p>\n

The sub-orbital rocket is designed to reach the edge of space before descending back to Earth.<\/p>\n

\"Two<\/p>\n

Brothers James (left) and Adam Gilmour started Gilmour Space Technologies’ rocket program in 2015. (ABC North Queensland: Rachael Merritt)<\/p>\n

Company co-founder James Gilmour said the rocket was about a third the size of ERIS TestFlight1, which made history as the first Australian-made orbital rocket to lift-off after a test in July last year.<\/p>\n

“It’s got fins, and it doesn’t have a payload so, aesthetically, it’ll look very different,” he said.<\/p>\n

“We’ve seen a unique opportunity to demonstrate that [hypersonic] capability.”<\/p>\n

In a statement, Gilmour Space said its Hyperflight service would allow clients, including government agencies and Defence organisations, to test technologies such as sensors, aircraft systems, and scientific instruments in “extreme flight environments”.<\/p>\n

What is hypersonic flight?<\/p>\n

Chris James, who studies hypersonic technology at the University of Queensland, said the term was used when vehicles travelled at least five times the speed of sound.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Chris James studies hypersonic technology and planetary entry at the University of Queensland.\u00a0 (Supplied: Chris James)<\/p>\n

He said sub-orbital technology that reached mach 5 was mostly used for defensive purposes.<\/p>\n

“If you’ve got a hypersonic cruise missile, it can travel further because it can start faster,” Dr James said.<\/p>\n

“If someone else has it, then you’d probably like to have the same thing or a similar thing as well.”<\/p>\n

Dr James said other commercial and Defence uses included using the rockets to launch and bring hypersonic aircraft up to speed.<\/p>\n

Gilmour Space told the ABC it was not testing military weapons.<\/p>\n

\"Flames<\/p>\n

Gilmour Space Technologies says its hypersonic rockets could be used to test technology in high-speed environments.\u00a0 (Supplied: Gilmour Space Technologies\u00a0)<\/p>\n

Defence partnership<\/p>\n

The federal government announced in May that the company had received a $75 million investment from the taxpayer-funded National Reconstruction Fund Corporation.<\/p>\n

Gilmour Space confirmed the partnership formed part of a larger $217 million investment the company secured in its January funding round.<\/p>\n

In a statement, the Department of Defence said the development of hypersonic technology was a “key Defence priority”.<\/p>\n

It said the technology “could enhance the survivability of the Australian Defence Force against potential threats”.<\/p>\n

Spaceflight progress<\/p>\n

Mr Gilmour said his company’s primary focus was launching its second orbital rocket by the end of 2026.<\/p>\n

“There are just too many satellites to be launched in the next decade and what we’re trying to do is solve that problem,” he said.<\/p>\n

\"<\/p>\n

The Eris rocket was airborne for about 14 seconds during a test launch in Bowen.\u00a0 (Supplied: Gilmour Space Technologies)<\/p>\n

An investigation into ERIS TestFlight1, completed in April, found a fuel pump had stopped working shortly after lift-off due to thermal and electrical faults.<\/p>\n

The company’s head of avionics, Bryan Greeham, said the review would inform design changes.<\/p>\n

“Space is difficult,” he said.<\/p>\n

“It’s a complex technical problem and setbacks, failures of rocket flights are the norm.<\/p>\n

“It won’t be long, I think, before Australia has an orbital-launch capability.”<\/p>\n

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