Australian rocket startup Gilmour Space confirms successful operation of its first satellite
The Australian rocket startup Gilmour Space, which in July tried but failed to launch for the first time its Eris rocket, yesterday announced that its first orbiting satellite, dubbed ElaraSat MMS-1, is operating as expected after a June launch by SpaceX.
Launched aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-14 mission in June, the locally designed and built satellite bus carries a hyperspectral imager from CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency. Since reaching orbit, ElaraSat MMS-1 has completed platform commissioning, verified satellite bus systems are operating as expected, [and] demonstrated reliable S-band communications and X-band downlink.
If this company can succeed in getting its rocket operational as well as build satellites, it will have capabilities comparable to SpaceX, Rocket Lab, and Firefly, and will be in a very strong position to compete internationally.
The Australian rocket startup Gilmour Space, which in July tried but failed to launch for the first time its Eris rocket, yesterday announced that its first orbiting satellite, dubbed ElaraSat MMS-1, is operating as expected after a June launch by SpaceX.
Launched aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-14 mission in June, the locally designed and built satellite bus carries a hyperspectral imager from CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency. Since reaching orbit, ElaraSat MMS-1 has completed platform commissioning, verified satellite bus systems are operating as expected, [and] demonstrated reliable S-band communications and X-band downlink.
If this company can succeed in getting its rocket operational as well as build satellites, it will have capabilities comparable to SpaceX, Rocket Lab, and Firefly, and will be in a very strong position to compete internationally.