Gilmour Space

HardwareYatala, Queensland, AustraliaFounded 2012· One of 1733 Hardware companies tracked by AMPulse

A leading Australian aerospace company developing sovereign orbital launch vehicles and satellite platforms powered by proprietary hybrid rocket technology.

CEO / Founder: Adam Gilmour
Team Size: 201-500
Stage: Active
Total Funding: $360.0M
Latest Round: Series E
Key Investors: Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC), Blackbird Ventures, Main Sequence Ventures, Hostplus, HESTA, NGS Super, National Reconstruction Fund Corporation, Future Fund, Funds SA, Brighter Super, Australian Retirement Trust

Technology & Products

Key Products

Eris orbital launch vehicle, satellite platforms, proprietary hybrid rocket technology

Technological Advantage

Vertical integration strategy encompassing rocket manufacturing, satellite bus development, and the operation of their own orbital spaceport, providing a complete 'end-to-end' sovereign space solution.

Differentiation

Value Proposition

Provides more affordable, safer, and reliable access to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) through innovative hybrid propulsion that reduces manufacturing complexity and operational costs.

How They Differentiate

Proprietary hybrid propulsion technology using liquid oxidizers and 3D-printed solid fuel grains, which are safer, more stable, and significantly less expensive to manufacture than traditional liquid or solid-fuel engines.

Market & Competition

Target Customers

Small satellite operators, commercial telecommunications companies, government space agencies, and international defense organizations.

Industry Verticals

Aerospace & Defense, Telecommunications, Earth Observation, Scientific Research, Remote Sensing

Competitors

Stoke Space, SpaceX, Exos Aerospace

Growth & Milestones

Growth Metrics

Achieved 'Unicorn' status with a valuation exceeding $1B in 2024; expanded team to over 200 employees.

Major Milestones

Reached Unicorn status with a $217M Series E raise in Feb 2024, Secured Australia's first-ever orbital launch permit from the Australian Space Agency in Nov 2024, Completed construction of the Bowen Orbital Spaceport (BOS) in North Queensland, Successfully qualified the 110kN 'Sirius' hybrid rocket engine, Eris TestFlight-1 (Jul 2025) failed shortly after liftoff due to oxidiser pump issues in two Sirius engines, Closed a further A$217M Series E round in Jan 2026, co-led by NRFC and Hostplus, valuation over US$1B, Raised an additional $14.2M Series E extension from Australian Retirement Trust ahead of planned TestFlight-2 (~H2 2026)

Notable Customers

Australian customers, German Orbital Systems (first European customer)

https://www.gspace.com

Funding rounds

Series EA$217.0M2026-01Lead: National Reconstruction Fund Corporation & Hostplus · Source: Australian Space Agency / Blackbird VC
Series E$217.0M2024-02Lead: Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) · Source: SmartCompany
Series C$61.0M2021-06Lead: Fine Structure Ventures · Source: TechCrunch
Series B$19.0M2018-09Lead: Main Sequence Ventures · Source: Crunchbase
Series A$5.0M2017-05Lead: Blackbird Ventures · Source: Crunchbase

Why this company matters

AMPulse analysis, not a company disclosure

Gilmour Space is an Australian aerospace company building sovereign orbital launch vehicles and satellite platforms around proprietary hybrid rocket technology. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Helensvale, Queensland, the company targets the growing small satellite launch market with a value proposition centered on affordability, safety, and operational simplicity. Its hybrid propulsion approach combines liquid oxidizers with 3D-printed solid fuel grains, a design intended to reduce manufacturing complexity and eliminate the hazards associated with traditional solid or liquid-only rocket engines.

The company's core product is the Eris orbital launch vehicle, supported by in-house satellite bus development and the operation of the Bowen Orbital Spaceport in North Queensland. Gilmour Space has qualified its 110kN 'Sirius' hybrid rocket engine and holds patents and trade secrets around 3D-printed fuel grain geometries and hybrid engine cooling systems. The company pursues a vertical integration strategy that covers rocket manufacturing, satellite platforms, and launch site operations, positioning itself as an end-to-end sovereign space capability provider for Australia.

Gilmour Space targets small satellite operators, telecommunications companies, government space agencies, and defense organizations. Named customers include Australian entities and German Orbital Systems as its first European customer. The company has partnerships with the Australian Space Agency, the Australian Department of Defence, Queensland Investment Corporation, Fleet Space Technologies, and Optus. It serves verticals including aerospace and defense, telecommunications, earth observation, scientific research, and remote sensing.

The company reached unicorn status in 2024 with a valuation exceeding $1 billion following a $217 million Series E round. Investors include Blackbird Ventures, Main Sequence Ventures, Hostplus, HESTA, and NGS Super. Gilmour Space secured Australia's first orbital launch permit from the Australian Space Agency in November 2024. Its primary competitive differentiation lies in hybrid propulsion using 3D-printed solid fuel, which the company claims is inherently safer and less expensive to manufacture than conventional liquid or solid systems. Competitors in the small launch segment include Stoke Space and Exos Aerospace, while SpaceX represents a broader competitive force in the orbital launch market.