Gilmour Space Aims for Historic Orbital Rocket Launch Before Christmas

New Zealand's Rocket Lab rival plans to make history with its first orbital launch

New Zealand's Gilmour Space Technologies is targeting a historic launch before Christmas, aiming to become the first private company in the country to send a rocket into orbit. The company's Electron rocket is scheduled to lift off from the Mahia Peninsula on New Zealand's North Island, carrying a payload of satellites for a variety of customers, including Spire Global and Inmarsat. If successful, the launch will mark a significant milestone for Gilmour Space and the New Zealand space industry.

Gilmour Space was founded in 2016 by Adam Gilmour, a former Rocket Lab engineer. The company has since raised more than $100 million in funding and has developed a launch vehicle capable of carrying small satellites into orbit. The Electron rocket is a two-stage rocket that uses liquid oxygen and kerosene as propellants. It is designed to be reusable, with the first stage returning to Earth after launch to be used again.

The upcoming launch is a major test for Gilmour Space. The company has successfully launched three suborbital test flights of the Electron rocket, but this will be the first time it has attempted to reach orbit. If successful, the launch will demonstrate the Electron's capabilities and open up new possibilities for Gilmour Space. The company plans to use the Electron to launch a variety of payloads, including satellites for Earth observation, communications, and scientific research.

The launch will be a major milestone for the New Zealand space industry

New Zealand has a long history of space exploration, dating back to the launch of the KiwiSat satellite in 1989. However, the country has never had a private company successfully launch a rocket into orbit. Gilmour Space's upcoming launch has the potential to change that and open up new opportunities for the New Zealand space industry.

The launch will also be a major boost for the global space industry. The Electron rocket is a relatively low-cost launch vehicle, which could make it attractive to customers looking for a more affordable way to get their satellites into orbit. The success of Gilmour Space could also encourage other private companies to develop their own launch vehicles, which would increase competition and drive down the cost of access to space.

The upcoming launch is a major milestone for Gilmour Space and the New Zealand space industry. If successful, it will demonstrate the Electron's capabilities and open up new possibilities for both the company and the country. The launch is also a major boost for the global space industry, as it could lead to more affordable access to space for customers around the world.