Get the latest tech news

First Australian-Made Rocket Crashes After 14 Seconds of Flight


Australia's first domestically built rocket to attempt orbital launch crashed just 14 seconds after liftoff, though the company still declared the mission a success for igniting all engines and leaving the launch pad. The Associated Press reports: The rocket Eris, launched by Gilmour Space Technolo...

It launched Wednesday morning local time in a test flight from a spaceport near the small town of Bowen in the north of Queensland state. In videos published by Australian news outlets, the 23-meter (75-foot) rocket appeared to clear the launch tower and hovered in the air before falling out of sight. Gilmour said in February that it was "almost unheard of" for a private rocket company to successfully launch to orbit on its first attempt.

Get the Android app

Or read this on Slashdot

Read more on:

Photo of Flight

Flight

Photo of australian

australian

Photo of seconds

seconds

Related news:

News photo

Betfair faces six-figure penalty after breaking Australian spam laws

News photo

Australia’s attempt to join the space race lasts just 14 seconds

News photo

Australia’s attempt to join the space race lasts just 14 seconds