Gold Coast-based company Gilmour Space Technologies has announced its Eris Block 1 rocket could launch as early as March, making it the first Australian-built rocket attempting to reach orbit from Australia.

There is also a special Australian object that will be along for the journey.

Head of Missions Management at Gilmour Space, Matthew Congedi, told Sofie Formica on 4BC Afternoons, “We want to make sure that the spirit of Australia is coming along for the ride with us.”

“This is the first time that we are launching an orbital rocket that is Australian-built, and even though the primary payload for us is the collection of data, we wanted to bring along something that kind of captured the essence of what Australia is,” Mr Congedi continued.

Hear more highlights from Sofie Formica below: 

Image: Gilmour Space Technologies/Facebook 

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