RUAG Space signs MOA with Australian rocket company Gilmour Space

The memorandum of agreement, the first of its kind in Australia, explores the use of RUAG Space's new range of FlexLine carbon composite products in Gilmour Space's proprietary hybrid rockets. The Queensland-based company is targeting to launch small satellites weighing up to 100 kg into low earth orbits from 2020, and up to 400 kg from 2021.

"RUAG Space has a long history of providing reliable launch technologies for rockets like the Ariane 5, Vega and Atlas," said Gilmour Space CEO and Founder, Adam Gilmour. "With this collaboration, we look to leverage on their proven expertise, while lowering our launcher development costs and time-to-market."

Holger Wentscher, Senior Vice President Launchers at RUAG Space: "Our new FlexLine products offer weight optimised, reliable and user-friendly solutions, at best-in-class series cost.

"It has been very exciting to see the progress that Gilmour Space and Australia have made in the space domain since we first met at the IAC (International Astronautical Congress) in Adelaide last year; and we look forward to collaborating with them in their goal to provide lower cost access to space from Australia."