<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The launch of the first Australian-made rocket from North Queensland was meant to make history today, but has faced delays due to an unexpected issue.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Gold Coast-based company Gilmour Space Technologies has spent years preparing to launch its Eris TestFlight1 rocket from the Orbital Spaceport in Bowen.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It is the first Australian-made rocket to attempt orbit and Australia's first orbital launch in more than 50 years.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/two-australia-border-force-officials-injured-in-sydney-stabbing/41c55ae0-a50a-489b-ad23-a350c6f2cb31" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Manhunt launched after two Border Force officials attacked</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Only 12 countries have the ability to launch their own rockets into orbit. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The maiden flight was scheduled for this morning, but could not go ahead due to an issue in the ground support system.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"No launch today. Our team identified an issue in the ground support system during overnight checks, and we are now in an extended hold while we work through it," Gilmour Space said in an update.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/gilmour-space-technologies-launch-of-first-australianmade-rocket-from-queensland-delayed/bde00886-5392-4373-aced-68a0fd12361a" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Eris is now set to launch tomorrow morning. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Australian Space Agency has given the company a two-week launch window from today.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/man-who-allegedly-raided-outback-pub-has-a-beer-with-owner-toobeah-queensland/153d8b00-7c6b-40da-9ed2-9806f042ad1e" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Man who allegedly raided outback pub has a beer with owner</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="styles__Wrapper-sc-2o34ro-0 cmwkBV"><div class="styles__Column-sc-2o34ro-3 jJDKrX"><a href="/content/2025/04/20/09/46/astronaut-view-from-space-in-photos"><img alt="" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 636px, (min-width: 768px) 396px, 100vw" src="https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/J1_E4qDTsXVajNsFfw3-9EfOVv0=/0x662:1600x1562/396x223/https%3A%2F%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2Ffs%2F726ea032-e6d9-42d2-9469-ae7ab08fd07f" srcset="https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/J1_E4qDTsXVajNsFfw3-9EfOVv0=/0x662:1600x1562/396x223/https%3A%2F%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2Ffs%2F726ea032-e6d9-42d2-9469-ae7ab08fd07f 396w, https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/LsVmRO0c25TUmHZhPxjkQ0ws3cY=/0x662:1600x1562/636x358/https%3A%2F%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2Ffs%2F726ea032-e6d9-42d2-9469-ae7ab08fd07f 636w"/></a></div><div class="styles__Column-sc-2o34ro-3 jJDKrX"><div class="styles__Headline-sc-2o34ro-4 hpbOlz">Astronaut returning to earth shares mind-blowing images of the cosmos</div><div class="styles__Button-sc-2o34ro-1 eBjlmW"><a class="styles__ButtonLink-sc-2o34ro-2 hqpklJ" href="/content/2025/04/20/09/46/astronaut-view-from-space-in-photos">View Gallery</a></div></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Gilmour Space chief and co-founder Adam Gilmour had previously warned that delays and issues are common for rocket launches, especially for first launches.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"These can last anywhere from hours to days, or even weeks, and are often caused by weather conditions, technical issues, or other factors," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Safety is always the top priority. We'll only launch when we're ready, and when conditions are appropriate."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Bowen Orbital Spaceport is near Abbot Point.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A marine and aerial exclusion zone is in place in and around the area for the launch. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></strong></em></a><em><strong><span>: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. 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