Australian Rocket Launches Vegemite, Achieves 14-Second Flight

An Australian aerospace company recently celebrated a significant milestone with the test launch of its Eris rocket, which carried a jar of Vegemite in its nose cone. The rocket achieved approximately 14 seconds of flight before returning to Earth, marking a notable step in Australia’s efforts to establish a local space industry.

The test launch took place at Abbot Point, located about 1,000 kilometers from Brisbane, Queensland. After an 18-month wait for the right launch window, the three-stage rocket was able to clear the launch pad and ascend briefly, much to the delight of the team at Gilmour Space Technologies.

Adam Gilmour, the company’s chief executive, expressed his relief and excitement following the launch. “I was so nervous about it getting off the pad, that when it did I screamed in pure joy,” he told Agence France-Presse. Video footage captured the Eris rocket as it barely cleared the top of the launch tower, hovering momentarily before it lost momentum and fell back to Earth in a cloud of smoke.

The Eris rocket, measuring 23 meters in height, is designed for launching small satellites into low-Earth orbit. Although the Vegemite payload did not survive the test flight, Gilmour emphasized the importance of the brief flight time. “It’s huge what you can prove with just 10 to 15 seconds of flight time,” he noted.

Preparations for a second test flight are already in progress, with Gilmour aiming for a launch within the next six to eight months. The company, which employs 230 staff members, is targeting commercial launches by late 2026 or early 2027.

This test marks an important step for Gilmour Space Technologies as it strives to be the first company to launch a locally built rocket into orbit from Australian soil. As the Australian space sector continues to evolve, the success of this launch, albeit brief, showcases the potential for future advancements in the industry.