Rocket Launch Disaster: Australia's Initial Orbital Attempt Crashes 14 Seconds After Takeoff Following a 54-year Wait
The private Australian company Gilmour Space Technologies made history on July 29, 2022, as they launched the Eris-1 rocket from the Bowen Orbital Spaceport in coastal Queensland. However, the launch, which was the first orbital flight attempt by Australia in almost 54 years, ended in a failure just 14 seconds after liftoff.
The Eris-1 rocket was the first spacecraft fully constructed by an Australian company, capable of launching 660 pounds (300 kilograms) of material into low Earth orbit, around 15 times more than SpaceX's Falcon 9 rockets. The primary payloads for the Eris rockets will likely be small communications satellites, which are also being developed by Gilmour Space.
The launch was initially scheduled for March but was postponed due to adverse weather conditions caused by Cyclone Alfred. The launch was scrapped again in mid-May due to a piece of the payload popping off the rocket on the launch pad.
Unfortunately, the failure was caused by one of the four Sirius engines on the first stage losing thrust less than a second after ignition. This engine failure caused the rocket to tilt and slide sideways, stalling its ascent and forcing it to crash back to Earth. The rocket burst into flames on impact, but there were no adverse environmental impacts, and nobody was hurt.
Despite the failure, Gilmour Space representatives described the event as a "big step" and an "awesome result." The company had anticipated data gathering and improvements from this initial test flight. The rocket was equipped with 400 sensors to record information during the flight to aid in future development.
In conclusion, the engine thrust loss on the first stage was the root cause of the Eris-1 failure during Australia's first orbital launch attempt in over five decades. While this setback is a disappointment, it provides valuable data for the company to improve their rocket systems, propulsion technology, and spaceport for future launches. The exact timing for the next Eris mission remains uncertain.
The Eris-1 failure underscores the importance of advanced technology and precise engineering in the field of space-and-astronomy, particularly in the design and operation of the Sirius engines used in the rocket's first stage. Media outlets worldwide are covering the incident, shedding light on the challenges and triumphs of Australia's burgeoning science and technology sector. Despite the setback, the world watches with anticipation for Gilmour Space Technologies' future attempts to properly harness technology for orbital launches, contributing to the global advancement in the realm of space and media coverage.
