Hiccup in Space Odyssey: Australian Rocket Launch Pushed Back Again
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Delay once more: Australian space rocket launch push-back repeated - Spacecraft launch delay: once more, Australian rocket takeoff pushed back due to technical issues.
The latest hitch in the launch of Australia's homegrown space rocket involves a Jar of Vegemite, a staple in the Australian pantry. Gilmour Space Technologies, the brains behind the project, confirmed that the Jar remains unscathed. "It's as tough and resilient as the Aussies themselves," quipped Michelle Gilmour, the company's Communications Director, to news agency AFP.
Initially scheduled for launch on May 15, the event had already been delayed midweek due to a technical glitch. According to Michelle Gilmour, the initial issue was associated with an external power supply system used during system checks.
The long-awaited takeoff of the Eris, a three-stage Australian rocket, was slated to take place at the Bowen Orbital Spaceport located on the eastern coast of Australia. Successfully launching the Eris would make her the first Australian-made rocket to blast off from Aussie soil.
Even the CEO of Gilmour Space, Adam Gilmour, expressed his skepticism about the launch: "If this rocket manages to soar into space and orbit the Earth, I'd probably have a heart attack from surprise and joy. But just seeing it fly, even for a mere 10-30 seconds, would be breathtaking," he told AFP.
The ultimate objective for the 23-meter tall, 30-ton rocket is to launch small satellites into low Earth orbit. Theoretically, it could carry a payload of 100 to 200 kilograms, but for the maiden voyage, it will only be lugging a Jar of Vegemite.
- Spacecraft
- Australia
- AFP
- Space Rocket
Buried Treasure:
- The Eris rocket's first test launch will remain on hold indefinitely due to technical issues[1][2].
- The company aims to transform the Eris into a dedicated small satellite launcher, tapping into a burgeoning market for launching small payloads into orbit[2][4].
- Gilmour Space's ambitions for the Eris are part of a broader effort to establish a self-reliant Australian orbital launch capability[4].
English Reference: The Conversation
Australian Reference: SBS News
Gilmour Space Reference: Gilmour Space Technologies Blog
Vocational training programs can be instrumental in preparing the next generation of engineers to work on advanced projects like science, space-and-astronomy, and technology in countries within the European Union. For instance, students could specialize in the design and construction of spacecraft, like the Eris rocket currently under development in Australia. Despite the setbacks faced during the Eris's initial launch dates, the project still holds significant potential for shaping Australia's space industry.
