Starlink commences solo week-long mission as Gilmour's debut launch gets postponed
SpaceX is set to carry out the only confirmed launch of the week, with the Starlink Group 10-28 mission scheduled for July 8 at 1:48 a.m. EDT from Cape Canaveral [1]. Meanwhile, in a significant development, Gilmour Space Technologies, an Australian company, has announced that its Eris rocket launch, marking the country's first orbital launch from its own soil, is now scheduled for no earlier than July 16 [2][3][4].
The Eris rocket, a three-stage, hybrid-fueled vehicle designed for small satellite deployment, is almost entirely Australian-designed and manufactured. The launch will take place from the Bowen Orbital Spaceport in Queensland, carrying a symbolic payload, including a jar of Vegemite, emphasising its Australian heritage [1].
The launch, if successful, will mark a major leap forward for the Southern Hemisphere's presence in the commercial launch market [5]. The updated launch window was due to Australia's regulatory requirement for a two-week notice to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, as well as a continued watch on weather conditions [4].
Last week, China launched the Shiyan 28 B-01 satellite from Jiuquan, as part of the Shiyan series used for technology demonstrations. The satellite will be used for space environment exploration and related technology tests [6]. This marked the 184th Progress mission since the series debuted in 1978 [7].
Meanwhile, the International Space Station (ISS) received a resupply mission on July 5. Progress 92, launched aboard a Soyuz 2.1a rocket from Baikonur Cosmodrome, delivered 2.5 metric tons of supplies, including food, fuel, and oxygen, to the ISS. The spacecraft successfully docked with the ISS on the same day [8][9].
In other news, India's GSLV Mk II is preparing to fly NISAR, a joint NASA-ISRO Earth-observing satellite. The mission will add another batch of Starlink satellites to SpaceX's expanding low Earth orbit constellation [10]. United Launch Alliance's Vulcan may also return to the pad for its second flight, carrying the USSF-106 payload for the U.S. Space Force [11].
The Eris rocket launch, representing a significant milestone for Australia, is eagerly anticipated by space enthusiasts and industry experts alike. The countdown to July 16 continues, with weather conditions and regulatory notifications remaining key factors in the successful launch of Australia's first orbital rocket.
The Eris rocket launch, a significant milestone for Australia in the field of space-and-astronomy, is being highly anticipated by space enthusiasts and industry experts. This launch, set to occur on July 16, will also highlight Australia's progress in the commercial launch market, thanks to its advanced technology and Australian-designed components.
