Aussie Space Company to Launch this week

[Peter Ward]

Originally Posted by TrevorW

Lets get some help from the US and NZ- .....

Yep.

Reads a bit like a Bledisloe Cup score count. NZ 64 AUS nil

The vision of launch was rather disappointing....looked like they were behind a tree line miles away. Hopefully they had multiple cameras in situ plus telemetry to know where it all went wrong....

[Startrek (Martin)]

I’d like to gives these Gilmore brothers a wrap , at least they are having a crack
Today’s failure was half expected

This hybrid technology has a long way to go to be reliable and cost effective and provide the performance required to hit orbit each time.

They’ve only been in serious rocket development for the past 9 years or so where’s the Kiwis at Rocketlab have been in development for nearly 20 years with substantially more capital behind them.

The next 2 or 3 years could be make or break for Gilmore as money and support dries up quickly.

[Stefan Buda]

Ok, but why the silly secrecy? They don't inspire confidence.
Rocketlab had shown off some serious tech development long before their first launch attempt.
One has to ask the question why hybrid, when no one else launched anything to orbit using such engines. No need to be an engineer to think that maybe there is good reason for that.
Nine years of rocket development? How do we know? All they have shown us are two engine firings, one of which ended in an explosion and the other one, a biprop engine that didn't seem to produce Mach diamonds, the burn looked so instable.

[pmrid (Peter)]

Originally Posted by TrevorW

Lets get some help from the US and NZ-

To be fair, even RocketLab's early launches were fizzers. Similarly with SpaceX. I think even Blue Horzon, and the JSA and Indian rocket developments were initial fails.

[Stefan Buda]

I don't think it is fair to compare Eris to the Electron rocket. The Electron is propelled by innovative high tech engines while Eris was not. The first launch of Electron almost reached orbit when telemetry was lost.

My guess is that the Gilmore brothers made a mistake thinking that they can reach orbit on a shoestring budget. Sad because I can't see how they can recover from this.

[SB (Chris)]

I watched the launch from Bowen. Heartbreaking to watch the crash due to an engine failure. Incredible noise on take off and of course the shockwave on crash!

Good on Gilmour Space for giving it a go. Learn and go again. It’s entrepreneurs like Gilmour Space that can help this country get ahead.

Chris

[DarkArts]

Definitely an Aussie rocket: couldn't wait to lay down on the job.

Originally Posted by TrevorW

Lets get some help from the US and NZ-

I'd rather keep as much of the intellectual property in Australia as possible. Space could end up being as restricted as Defence with respect to IP transfer.

Originally Posted by Stefan Buda

Electron is propelled by innovative high tech engines while Eris was not ...

The hybrid motor concept may be old but it has advantages, including lower costs and fewer hazards. That sounds like a good place to start even if the company changes direction later. Give them time, though. I'm happy for them to focus on keeping costs down.

Apologies for stating the bleeding obvious, but the space industry is going to be huge. It's starting to go through a massive growth phase but will eventually become a game of margins like air travel today, though with elements like tailored service, sovereign control and responsiveness also potentially being important, especially in regard to national security.

Anyway, that's my 2c worth.

[Startrek (Martin)]

Scott Manley posted an excellent preliminary review of the launch with plenty of positive feedback for Gilmore Space.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98ha...UEEgJlbg%3D%3D

[TrevorW]

NZ space agency was founded two years ahead of Australia’s, our Govt gave Gilmore $5million, maybe a bit more financial aid would help