Australia: First orbital launch in 50 years failed

On July 29, 2025, the first attempt to launch an orbital rocket from a national territory in half a century was made from the Bowen Space Center, located in Queensland, Australia. The project, implemented by a private aerospace company, was an important milestone in the history of the Australian space industry. However, the launch of the Eris rocket failed just 14 seconds after launch.

The rocket, having reached an altitude of several hundred meters, began to deviate from the set trajectory and crashed. Despite this, the engine continued to run for 23 seconds, which allowed the developers to capture a number of key telemetry data for analysis. This data will serve as a basis for design refinement and reliability improvements in future missions.

The 25-meter Eris rocket is designed to put a payload into orbit: up to 215 kg in a sun-synchronous orbit and up to 305 kg in an equatorial one with an altitude of 500 km. The engineering solution provides for the use of Sirius hybrid engines in the first and second stages, as well as a Phoenix liquid engine in the third stage. This combination of technologies positions the project as part of a new generation of commercial space solutions that can compete in the small satellite segment.

Preparations for the launch were marred by many technical and weather difficulties. The launch was originally scheduled for March 2025, but was postponed due to a tropical cyclone. In May, the test was canceled due to a fault in the fairing system caused by a voltage drop. In June, unfavorable weather conditions, including strong winds, intervened, which again led to a postponement of deadlines.

Despite the current result, the project team remains in a working mood and has already started preparing for the next test launch, codenamed TestFlight 2.The data obtained will allow making adjustments and improving the reliability of the rocket before trying again.

Modern challenges and the high cost of space programs require both technological flexibility and resilience to external factors. The launch failure was not an exception, but rather part of the complex process of establishing a national orbital infrastructure. With global demand for small satellites and affordable launch vehicles, Australia's participation in the space race remains strategically important and will be closely monitored by the international community.