SYDNEY: An Australian aerospace firm said Friday it has scrubbed a historic attempt to send a locally developed rocket into orbit, citing a glitch in the nose cone protecting its payload — a jar of Vegemite.
An electrical fault erroneously deployed the opening mechanism of the carbon-fiber nose cone during pre-flight testing, Gilmour Space Technologies said.
The nose cone is designed to shield the payload during the rocket’s ascent through the Earth’s atmosphere before reaching space.
The mishap happened before fueling of the vehicle at the company’s spaceport near the east coast township of Bowen, about 1,000 kilometers up from the Queensland capital Brisbane.
“The good news is the rocket and the team are both fine. While we’re disappointed by the delay, we’re already working through a resolution and expect to be back on the pad soon,” said chief executive Adam Gilmour.
“As always, safety is our highest priority.”
Gilmour said the team would now work to identify the problem on its 23-meter, three-stage Eris rocket, which is designed to send satellites into low-Earth orbit.
A replacement nose cone would be transported to the launch site in the coming days, he said.
Weighing 30 tons fully fueled, the rocket has a hybrid propulsion system, using a solid inert fuel and a liquid oxidiser, which provides the oxygen for it to burn.
If successful, it would be the first Australian-made rocket to be sent into orbit from Australian soil.
“We have all worked really hard so, yes, the team is disappointed. But on the other hand, we do rockets — they are used to setbacks,” said communications chief Michelle Gilmour.
“We are talking about at least a few weeks, so it is not going to happen now,” she told AFP.
The payload for the initial test — a jar of Vegemite — remained intact.
“It’s hardy, resilient, like Aussies,” she said.
Gilmour Space Technologies had to delay a launch attempt the previous day, too, because of a bug in the external power system it relies on for system checks.
The company, which has 230 employees, hopes to start commercial launches in late 2026 or early 2027.
It has worked on rocket development for a decade, and is backed by investors including venture capital group Blackbird and pension fund HESTA.
Nose cone glitch wipes Australian rocket launch
https://arab.news/ct2z5
Nose cone glitch wipes Australian rocket launch
- The mishap happened before fueling of the vehicle at the company’s spaceport near the east coast township of Bowen
UK welcomes calls for dialogue on southern Yemen, Saudi Arabia’s offer to host talks
- Saudi Arabia announced on Saturday that it would host a conference in Riyadh at the request of President Al-Alimi
LONDON: The UK on Sunday welcomed calls by Yemen’s presidential council leader Rashad Al-Alimi for dialogue to address ongoing issues in the south of the country, stressing that a diplomatic solution is the best path forward.
Saudi Arabia announced on Saturday that it would host a conference in Riyadh at the request of Al-Alimi.
Britain’s minister for the Middle East and North Africa, Hamish Falconer, said the UK supported efforts aimed at de-escalation and political engagement.
“The UK welcomes calls by Yemen’s President for a dialogue addressing issues in the south of the country,” Falconer said in a post on X.
“I also welcome Saudi Arabia’s offer to host a conference and the UAE’s calls for de-escalation. A swift diplomatic resolution will best serve the Yemeni people,” he added.
The Kingdom has urged all factions to participate in the talks “to develop a comprehensive vision” that would fulfil the aspirations of the southern people.
The initiative has received broad regional and international backing, including support from the Southern Transitional Council, which recently seized territory in the governorates of Hadramaut and Al-Mahra.
