Gilmour Space Growing Sovereign Space Capabilities
Gold Coast company Gilmour Space has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Northrop Grumman Corporation to develop Australia’s sovereign space capabilities.
Queensland rocket launch company GIlmour Space is soaring through 2020 with yet another partnership in the works, this time with global aerospace giant Northrop Grumman Corporation. Gilmour Space has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the American aerospace and defense technology company to continue development of Australia’s sovereign space capabilities.
“Northrop Grumman aims to lead industry support in developing Australian sovereign space capabilities to help meet the needs of defence and realise the Australian Space Agency vision,” said Chris Deeble, chief executive, Northrop Grumman Australia. “Our approach is consistent with the Australian government’s recently announced Modern Manufacturing Strategy, to make space hardware in Australia while securing sovereign capabilities in priority areas that includes defence and space.”
MOU Projects
Northrop Grumman will join Gilmour Space as an industry partner on the Collaborative Research Centre Project (CRC-P) with Griffith University and Etamax Engineering, as an initial task under this MOU. The CRC-P will construct and trial composite tanks up to two-metres in diameter in order to reduce their weight and increase their reliability.
Gilmour Space CEO Adam Gilmour said the company is excited to work with Northrop Grumman on this opportunity. “It is great to gain the support of Northrop Grumman who, through this investment, have further demonstrated their commitment to grow Australian space capability.”
Gilmour Space
Gilmour Space is a rocket launch company, with a focus on developing hybrid rocket propulsion technology and establishing themselves as Australia’s first orbital launch provider. Their rocket, ERIS, is set to go on its maiden voyage in 2022, potentially using a launch site near Bowen, Queensland. Earlier this year, Gilmour Space tested their rocket engine and achieved a record-breaking 110-second test fire, one of the longest hybrid rocket test firings in the world.
This new MOU is one of several partnerships that Gilmour Space has announced this year. Other partnerships for the Australian company include the Australian Defence Force, University of Queensland, and Griffith University. Gilmour Space also announced their first Australian customer, Space Machines Company, to launch a 35-kg payload into orbit.