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Patel
Gilmour Space Technologies
To seek feedback on the potential effects of airspace measures to support safe test and launch operations from Bowen Orbital Spaceport.
The issue
1. Preparation and test of orbital launch vehicles and high-powered rockets will require sanitised airspace to ensure safety of flight for all airspace users.
2. Proposed Restricted Area dimensions will comply with MATS 2.4.8.
3. Proposed RA will be activated for the minimum duration required to protect other airspace users.
Purpose
Gilmour Space proposes to control the risk to safety of flight around BOS through the designation of restricted airspace, activated for the minimum duration and airspace volume to contain potential debris resulting from test and launch preparation activities at BOS. The areas discussed below will vary for every test or launch preparation operation but will follow the same design methodology for each activity. Gilmour Space expects to conduct two launches in 2026 and then accelerate launch frequency over the next few years up to a maximum of one launch per month.
Proposal
Test and launch activities will be conducted on several pads within the spaceport site (centre coordinates 195729.05S 1480648.80E) and will introduce risks of failure modes that could create blast overpressure effects and a debris field. Gilmour Space proposes the establishment of a permanent restricted area (RA3), activated by NOTAM, to exclude all aircraft from this risk. This RA volume, referred to as the “BOS” RA, would be divided into three vertical sections (BOS-A, BOS-B, BOS-C) based on the type of activity (e.g. test or launch preparation), to maximise airspace availability for other airspace users.
RA Dimensions:
The vertical limits are based on the worst-case scenario of an explosive event yielding the maximum Net Equivalent Weight of the specific test or launch vehicle. The maximum airspace volumes required are:
BOS-A – a radius of 1.5 NM from the centre coordinates (above), SFC to 1500 FT AMSL.
BOS-B – a radius of 1.5 NM from the centre coordinates (above), 1500 to 3000 FT AMSL.
BOS-C – a radius of 1.5 NM from the centre coordinates (above), 3000 to 5000 FT AMSL.
RA dimensions are depicted in Figure 1.
RA Activation Periods:
BOS-A – approximately 35 activation periods annually.
BOS-B – approximately four activation periods in 2026, increasing to six activation periods in 2027.
BOS-C – approximately four activation periods in 2026, gradually increasing to 20-25 activations to support monthly launches in coming years.
RA Controlling Authority:
Gilmour Space Technologies will be the RA Controlling Authority and will transmit on and monitor Bowen CTAF (126.7) immediately prior to and during activation periods.
RA NOTAM Management:
NOTAMs will be managed in accordance with MATS 8.1.