The brief

Analyst view

• Eris made Australia's first orbital launch attempt in over 50 years on 30 July 2025; it fell after 14 seconds.
• Uses hybrid rocket motors (solid fuel, liquid oxidiser) on its first two stages.
• Next orbital attempt, TestFlight 2, targeted for end 2026 to early 2027.

Technical approach

As reported

Hybrid motors

Solid fuel, liquid oxidiser

Sirius hybrid motors burn a solid fuel with a liquid oxidiser: simpler than liquid engines, and they can be throttled or shut off unlike solids.

Own spaceport

Bowen Orbital Spaceport

The company built and runs its own launch site at Abbot Point, Queensland, Australia's first licensed orbital launch facility.

Liquid upper stage

Phoenix engine on top

The third stage switches to a liquid engine, Phoenix, for the final push into orbit.