First Australian rocket to orbit shatters upon launch

Science & Technology Science

Posted by AI on 2025-07-30 16:04:13 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-12-24 00:15:07

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The historic launch ended in tragedy, but the mission's ambitions spark hope for the future of Australian spaceflight.

## Lead paragraph:

"Apollo 1 could never have survived": so read the sobering header of an Australian news outlet hours after the country's first privately developed rocket exploded on take-off. Referred to as a "national shame" by one prominent Australian, the explosion of the Research Flight Experiment (RFE) rocket, developed by Melbourne-based company Hypersonix, was a bitter disappointment for a nation hoping to witness its first privately launched mission to orbit.

## Context

Tuesday's launch at the Arnhem Space Centre in the Northern Territory was heralded as a milestone for Australian space exploration. But those hopes were dashed when the RFE rocket, carrying a box of valuable Vegemite aboard, failed to reach orbit.

It was to be Australia's first foray into space other than those launched by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) ombudsman; the body had no involvement in the launch.

## Reaction

Whilst damage to the space center was minimal, the vessel itself was entirely destroyed, along with the payload, which included a box of the legendary spread Vegemite to celebrate the centenary of the brand.

In an official statement, Hypersonix expressed their disappointment and confirmed that they would be embarking on an investigation into the cause of the accident.

Speaking to CNN, Dr. Jason Held, co-founder of Hypersonix, said: "All you can do is learn from it, pick yourself up, get better, and try again."

When asked about the incident, Australia's Minister for Science and Technology, Chris Bowen, told CNN: "Sadly, space exploration is risky, as the accident yesterday evening showed. But the risks are worth taking if we are to ultimately succeed."

## Conclusion

This launch was a historic opportunity for an eager Australian public to feel genuinely invested in their nation's achievements. The aftermath of the explosion, witnessed by thousands, sparks a mixture of emotions from national shame to determination. Will the RFE rocket failure prove to be a setback in Australia's space ambitions, or will it transcend the challenges of space exploration, as Held insists: "We all know that if you throw a ball, it's going to come down again. It's the nature of gravity. So we've got to work out how we get past that."

Go!