Launching Australia's First Orbital Rocket – Lessons Learnt
Day: Friday 3 October
Time: 09:30 – 10:00 AEST
Location: Pyrmont Theatre, International Convention Centre (ICC) Sydney
Australia has a proud history in space, but for over 50 years no orbital rocket had attempted lift-off from our shores—until Gilmour Space’s maiden TestFlight1 from the Bowen Orbital Spaceport in July 2025.
This session takes you behind the scenes of building and launching a first-of-its-kind orbital rocket in a nation with no prior sovereign launch technology or infrastructure. From backyard engine tests to opening Australia’s first commercial orbital spaceport, it’s been a years-long test of engineering, regulation, and resilience.
TestFlight1 lasted just 14 seconds in flight, yet it marked a historic breakthrough for Australia’s space capability. In this talk, we’ll share:
- Standing up infrastructure: Designing and operating Bowen Orbital Spaceport.
- Navigating regulation: Securing first-of-its-kind permits and licences.
- Flight test realities: What worked, what didn’t, and the data powering future missions.
- Industry impact: How this milestone positions Australia in global launch markets, boosts local supply chains, and inspires the next generation.
TestFlight1 laid the foundation for sustainable, sovereign launch from Australian soil. The lessons are already shaping Gilmour’s next rockets—and the future of Australia’s space industry.
