While Gilmour Space’s Eris rocket lasted only 14 seconds in the air above Bowen, nascent Australian space industry says failed orbit attempt is a launchpad for future success

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The spaceship hovered for less than a minute before crashing in a giant plume of smoke, but it was history-making nonetheless - the attempted launch of an orbital rocket designed and made in Australia.

The Eris rocket was built by Gold Coast-based Gilmour Space and briefly blasted off from the Bowen orbital spaceport in north Queensland on Wednesday morning, after months of waiting for the right conditions.

Source: Guardian - World News