Australia’s First Rocket Crashes and Burns Seconds After Liftoff
The first Australian-made orbital rocket to launch from the land down under barely took off for its inaugural test flight, ending roughly 14 seconds after liftoff. Australian startup Gilmour Space launched its Eris rocket for the first time from the company’s Bowen Orbital Spaceport in northern Queensland at 6:35 p.m. ET on Tuesday (8:35 a.m. on Wednesday local time). The first orbital rocket designed and manufactured in Australia had a less-than-ideal first showing. Footage showed Eris struggl