Queensland rocket and satellite company Gilmour Space will launch Australia’s first ‘Caravan’ into space in late 2024, part of a “rideshare” model for other space startups to load multiple satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO).
CEO and founder Adam Gilmore said that unlike most rocket launches that handle major customer payloads, a Rideshare launch will include multiple customer payloads such as Kubota, Microsat and other small spacecraft.
“This mission, called Caravan-1, will provide affordable access to new space customers looking to launch into medium-inclination orbit in late 2024,” he said.
“Caravan-1 will be able to lift one ton, or 1,000 kilograms, to Leo in 2024 on our upgraded Eris Block 2 rocket – a huge upgrade in launch capacity and capability for our customers.”
The VC-backed space tech startup, which raised $61 million in Series C funding in June 2021, plans to launch environmentally friendly Australian rockets into low-Earth orbit. Developed in Queensland.
Gilmore Space Technologies has signed a contract with mobile satellite communications company Inmarsat that will eliminate the need to build and maintain expensive ground launch infrastructure underground to use its EnRang product for fast-response and cost-effective telemetry from space. Sites.
“Our Eris rocket will be Australia’s first orbital rocket and the first orbital launch from an Australian commercial launch site, which is scheduled to launch early next year,” Adam Gilmour said.
“We are also building the Bowen Orbital Port in North Queensland, and with Inmarsat as a well-established partner we can launch space-based telemetry from Australia first and into the future.”
Gilmour added that by 2024, Caravan-1 customers will have the option of using the standard 15-inch adapter port and/or G-Sat on the Gilmour Space Module satellite platform for individual payloads.
“The next few years will be an exciting time for the global space industry, and missions like this will allow us to support the development of new satellite and orbital technologies that will benefit humanity on Earth, in space and beyond,” he said.
