17.1 C
Byron Shire
June 17, 2026

Gilmour test flight launch window

Latest News

Vale William ‘Bill’ Ewen

The funeral service for Marine Rescue Ballina volunteer William ‘Bill’ Ewen was held on Monday at Ballina RSL Club.

Other News

Do more, Labor!

Senator Penny Wong (Labor) said on 4 June: ‘My principal position is to always believe women when allegations of...

LECC find police failed in their duty in the death of Lindy Lucena

The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission’s Operation Almas has criticised the police response to the violent death of Ballina woman Lindy Lucena at the hands of her partner in 2023.

Peace in our time?

While details remain scant, there are claims from multiple sources that a peace deal has finally been reached in the war between Iran and the United States, after nearly four months of fighting.

Tweed tip gets an upgrade

A major upgrade of the Stotts Creek Resource Recovery Centre has been completed say Tweed Shire Council, 'transforming the Tweed's tip into a site that is easier to use and recovers far more material from landfill'.

Avoiding ‘great reset’

Energy is the lifeblood of civilisation. When the energy powering our civilisation is disrupted for an extended time, it...

E-bikes rule

Teenage gangs on e-bikes now rule our roads at night in Byron Bay. Driving, or even walking, in the hours...

Adam Gilmour, CEO of Gilmour Space Technologies, The Echo’s Ewan Willis, and the Gilmore team read The Echo as they assemble Eris, the first Australian-made rocket. The rocket, developed on the Gold Coast, has now been transported to the Bowen Orbital Spaceport in north Queensland and is set to launch soon.

Australia’s own Gilmour Space Technologies says it has received airspace management approval from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority for its very first flight.

Subject to final clearance from the Australian Space Agency, Gilmour Space says it’s now targeting a launch window of no earlier than 15 May 2025 for the maiden test flight of its Eris orbital launch vehicle, from Bowen Orbital Spaceport, Queensland.

A Star Wars-themed social media post on 4 May concluded with the words ‘May the Force Be With Us’.



For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling.

If you are a local business owner help us and in turn we help you. All The Echo asks for is advertising, not a free ride. It is every advert in The Echo and on www.echo.net.au, which creates the space for all the stories and coverage of community events, happenings and concerns.

If you are a reader you can become a sponsor of The Echo. Your support keeps the us independent.

Even a small one-off or regular donation from you will help keep the echo’s independent voice alive and strong.

Support Us

Become one of the supporters who helps keep independent, local journalism alive in the Byron Shire by contributing anything from as little as the cost of a coffee each month.

You're Wonderful, Thank you for supporting independent journalism in the Byron Shire

You’re supporting The Echo, thank you

Your contribution is keeping independent, local journalism alive in the Northern Rivers.

Because of supporters like you, we can keep every story free for everyone — no paywall, no exceptions. Your money goes directly to funding our newsroom of 40-odd local workers covering the stories that matter to this community.

Tell us what you think, give us your opinion

The Echo loves your letters and comments and is proud to provide a community forum on the issues that matter most to our readers and the people of the NSW north coast. So don’t be a passive reader, email us your epistles at editor@echo.net.au.

The letters deadline for The Echo is noon Friday. Letters longer than 200 words may be cut. The publication of letters is at the discretion of the letters editor. Please remember to include your full name, address and telephone number.

Online comments are no longer available.

Empowering women and girls

Applications are now open for Northern Rivers Community Foundation's (NRCF) 2026 Empowering Women & Girls Grant, offering local not-for-profit organisations the opportunity to secure funding for projects that empower women and girls across the Northern Rivers.

Big things are happening at The Paddock — and one of them has a flush

There are two milestones worth celebrating at The Paddock this season as they push ahead with their innovative project.

Byron Writers Festival reveals 30th anniversary program

As August draws near and authors gear up for a big weekend in Byron Bay, Byron Writers Festival has revealed its complete program for its 30th anniversary edition

Are retirement villages what Byron Bay needs?

Developer DD Resort Living is seeking community feedback until June 18 on its proposed retirement living development in Byron Bay.