The Top Fell Off Australia's First Orbital-Class Rocket, Delaying Its Launch (arstechnica.com) 19
Australia's first orbital-class rocket launch was delayed after the nose cone of Gilmour Space's Eris rocket unexpectedly detached due to an electrical fault during final preparations. Although no damage occurred and no payload was onboard, the company is postponing the launch to investigate and replace the fairing before attempting another test flight. Ars Technica reports: Gilmour, the Australian startup that developed the Eris rocket, announced the setback in a post to the company's social media accounts Thursday. "During final launch preparations last night, an electrical fault triggered the system that opens the rocket's nose cone (the payload fairing)," Gilmour posted on LinkedIn. "This happened before any fuel was loaded into the vehicle. Most importantly, no one was injured, and early checks show no damage to the rocket or the launch pad."
Gilmour was gearing up for a launch attempt from a privately owned spaceport in the Australian state of Queensland early Friday, local time (Thursday in the United States). The company's Eris rocket, which was poised for its first test flight, stands about 82 feet (25 meters) tall with its payload fairing intact. It's designed to haul a payload of about 670 pounds (305 kilograms) to low-Earth orbit.
While Gilmour didn't release any photos of the accident, a company spokesperson confirmed to Ars that the payload fairing "deployed" after the unexpected electrical issue triggered the separation system. Payload fairings are like clamshells that enclose the satellites mounted to the top of their launch vehicle, protecting them from weather on the launch pad and from airflow as the rocket accelerates to supersonic speeds. Once in space, the rocket releases the payload shroud, usually in two halves. There were no satellites aboard the rocket as Gilmour prepared for its first test flight. The report notes that the Eris rocket is aiming to "become the first all-Australian launcher to reach orbit."
Gilmour was gearing up for a launch attempt from a privately owned spaceport in the Australian state of Queensland early Friday, local time (Thursday in the United States). The company's Eris rocket, which was poised for its first test flight, stands about 82 feet (25 meters) tall with its payload fairing intact. It's designed to haul a payload of about 670 pounds (305 kilograms) to low-Earth orbit.
While Gilmour didn't release any photos of the accident, a company spokesperson confirmed to Ars that the payload fairing "deployed" after the unexpected electrical issue triggered the separation system. Payload fairings are like clamshells that enclose the satellites mounted to the top of their launch vehicle, protecting them from weather on the launch pad and from airflow as the rocket accelerates to supersonic speeds. Once in space, the rocket releases the payload shroud, usually in two halves. There were no satellites aboard the rocket as Gilmour prepared for its first test flight. The report notes that the Eris rocket is aiming to "become the first all-Australian launcher to reach orbit."
Topless (Score:2)
Re: (Score:3)
https://x.com/starship2619487/status/1923209926349820218
I have to (Score:5, Funny)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3m5qxZm_JqM
Re: I have to (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Well, that is very good story, but I have to point out that that was not the right front. No, not a left front, it was a different front, of a different type of ship I mean. The front that fell off this ship, does not mean that other ships are not safe!
Sounds like you might have taken affront?
Re: I have to (Score:2)
I just like to make the point that that is not normal.
Re: I have to (Score:2)
Came for this, left satisfied. Would read again.
Re: (Score:2)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?... [youtube.com]
Re: (Score:2)
I was a young model rocket enthusiast in Houston. Someone knew someone at NASA and brought a consolidated rocket bloopers film to our club meeting. The room collapsed in laughter at this Redstone scene. Most of us had similar failure experience with model rockets.
Advice to Australia: tranquilize kangaroo before loading.
Re: (Score:3)
Beat me to it! But here it is as a conveniently-clickable link [youtube.com]. Life imitates art.
"While Gilmour didn't release any photos" (Score:2)
We need to track down the film of this and spread it far and wide.
Was it because... (Score:2, Funny)
They lunched it upside down, like everything in Australia?
Re: Was it because... (Score:1)
Re: (Score:1)
Right side up, they just have to release the hooks and the rockets fall right off Earth. Take it from an expert:
https://www.linkedin.com/posts... [linkedin.com]
Re: Was it because... (Score:2)
Lunch? I said LAUNCH!
Hail Eris, Goddess of Mischief... (Score:1)
They were practically begging for it.
Doesn't bother me (Score:2)
The Top Fell Off Australia's First Orbital-Class Rocket, Delaying Its Launch
Thank goodness my ticket was for Coach.
This is exactly why everyone told them (Score:2)
Is That Typical? (Score:2)
Did they remove it from the environment?