Gilmour Space’s Eris rocket. (Photo: Gilmour Space Technologies)

Advanced Navigation has secured grant funding from the Australian Space Agency through the Moon to Mars Initiative Grant. This funding will expedite the development of a space-grade high-shock inertial navigation system (INS) designed to endure extreme conditions during rocket launches.

The INS will support Gilmour Space Technologies, an Australian launch services company, in the development and launch of Eris Rockets and Elara Satellite platforms to low-Earth orbits (LEO). This collaboration aims to enhance Australia’s sovereign aerospace capabilities and contribute to the growing space industry.

The development of this advanced INS presents significant engineering challenges due to the harsh conditions experienced during rocket launches. From lift-off to payload deployment, every phase of a rocket’s journey requires precise engineering and seamless coordination. All electronic and fiber-optic components must be capable of withstanding intense shock, vibration, shifting gravity, payload impact and extreme temperature fluctuations.

The onboard INS consists of a plethora of high-end sensors, including accelerometers and gyroscopes, sensitive enough to detect the smallest change in noise and vibration. To ensure accurate and reliable performance, these delicate components must be shielded from the extreme forces experienced during launch. One solution is the integration of a high-shock enclosure — a protective barrier encircling the INS housing. This enclosure acts as a cushion between the system and the surrounding structure, absorbing and redistributing intense g-forces from engine ignitions and launch vibrations. By dampening these shocks, the enclosure prevents disruptive forces from reaching the sensors, preserving their precision in the harshest conditions.