Message from the CEO, Adam Gilmour
On Monday July 29, Gilmour Space Technologies attempted to launch our ‘One Vision’ suborbital rocket to flight test the company's proprietary orbital-class hybrid rocket engine and demonstrate our mobile launch capability.
At T-9 seconds to launch, the test rocket suffered an anomaly that resulted in the premature end of this mission. Initial investigations show that a pressure regulator in the oxidiser tank had failed to maintain required pressure, and this anomaly resulted in some damage to the tank and rocket. There was no explosion due to the safe nature of hybrid rocket engines, and no observable damage to the engine.
Despite failing to launch, our team successfully tested the mobile launch platform and mission control centre, which had journeyed over 1,800 km to the test site. The automatic ‘load-and-launch’ ground support system performed nominally through countdown, and switched to safe mode to dilute the oxidiser when the tank was compromised. With this mobile launch system, we believe we have the capability to launch a light orbital vehicle from anywhere in Australia.
Importantly, our team is safe. We are disappointed not to have completed the mission, but rocket engineering is all about testing, failing, learning and rebuilding. One Vision was a development and test rocket, and our learnings from here have already informed many of the design features in our next vehicle.
Gilmour Space will now look to launch an enhanced version of this suborbital rocket in the near future, to test more of the technologies we will require for our orbital launches.
We appreciate your continued support as we work to build a safe and reliable road to space for the next generation of small satellites in LEO.
To our team who worked tirelessly on One Vision, please know that James and I are proud of the amazing work you have done so far, and we look forward to achieving more and greater things together.
To the stars.
Media contacts:
Gilmour Space Technologies:
Michelle Gilmour, Email: michelle@gilmourspacecorp.c