The NRFC has made a $75 million investment in Gilmour Space Technologies (Gilmour Space), which the company will use to further develop its Eris orbital rocket technology, scale its satellite and rocket manufacturing, and expand its spaceport in Bowen, North Queensland. Gilmour Space’s Bowen spaceport is the first and only spaceport in Australia to have been licensed by the Australian Space Agency and other regulators for orbital launch operations.
The NRFC’s investment in Gilmour Space will support the continued growth of highly skilled Australian jobs, with the company looking to grow its existing workforce of more than 220 people and create additional opportunities for the suppliers that it relies upon across aerospace engineering, manufacturing, and skilled trades.
About Gilmour Space Technologies
Gilmour Space is a Queensland-based aerospace engineering company. Since starting its rocket program in 2015, Gilmour Space has become the leading provider of Australian-made launch vehicles and satellite platforms, providing valuable access to space to commercial, government, and defence customers.
Gilmour Space conducted the first test flight of an Australian-developed orbital launch vehicle in July 2025, and has demonstrated its satellite capability through the successful on-orbit operation of its 100kg ElaraSat satellite bus, which was launched on a U.S. rideshare mission last year.
Investment impact
Building sovereign space capabilities
Australia’s size and geographic location in the southern hemisphere provide natural advantages for accessing space. The NRFC’s investment will help to develop the sovereign space capability that provides Australia with greater resilience, choice, and control over critical services and helps to secure access to the essential space services that underpin our everyday life.
Strengthening advanced manufacturing capacity
Gilmour Space relies on hundreds of Australian suppliers for the components and equipment it uses for its rocket, satellite, and launch services. The NRFC’s investment allows Gilmour Space to scale its operations, building its advanced manufacturing capacity as well as that of its suppliers.
Creating jobs
Gilmour Space currently employs more than 220 people. The NRFC’s investment will enable Gilmour Space to expand its existing workforce and create additional highly skilled employment opportunities for the suppliers that it relies upon across aerospace engineering, manufacturing and skilled trades.
Crowding-in finance
The NRFC is leading Gilmour Space’s latest funding round alongside Australian superannuation fund Hostplus. Gilmour Space has raised $217 million as part of its Series E funding round, highlighting the strength of Australia’s collaborative investment ecosystem that brings together government, superannuation funds, and private investors to provide critical capital to fuel innovation, build sovereign capability, and support long-term value creation.