Gilmour will develop unique Eris launch vehicle with electric motor for vacuum operation

Australian company Gilmour Space Technologies is working on a unique rocket, which will be equipped with an electric motor. The development is called Eris.

Here's What We Know

The rocket will have a height of 25 meters. It will have two stages with a diameter of 2 meters (the first) and 1.5 meters (the second). Eris will be an ultralight rocket designed to deliver cargo to solar-synchronous or equatorial orbit. Maximum payload mass will be 305 kg.

Eris is Australia's first fully national space project. The rocket will include five Sirius liquid oxidizer and solid fuel engines. The main feature of Eris - an electric motor with an inverter capable of working in vacuum - will be used to pump the liquid oxidant.

The use of silicon carbide in the design of the inverter makes it possible to increase the power of the power units several times, while maintaining a small mass of the product. Operation in a vacuum is provided by a sealed capsule made of carbon fiber.

Equipmake electric motor (left) and inverter (right)

The electric motor was developed by Equipmake of the United Kingdom. Gilmour Space Technologies has already tested it as part of static firing tests of the Siruis engine. During 90 seconds of operation, a thrust of 115 kN was generated.

The first Eris rocket launch is scheduled for April 2023. Gilmour Space Technologies is optimistic about the future. The company plans to build more powerful rockets that can be used in manned space missions.

Source: New Atlas