NZ Govt to launch new rules for rockets

[Dave Homewood]

Govt to launch new rules for rockets
3:12 pm

The government has started setting up a regulatory regime to allow rockets to be launched into outer space from New Zealand.


Prime Minister John Key and Rocket Lab chief executive Peter Beck (file) Photo: RNZ / Sally Murphy


New Zealand-based start-up Rocket Lab has said it aims to send frequent low-cost rockets carrying satellites into space from the Mahia Peninsula, from as early as next year.

The government said today it would introduce an Outer Space and High Altitude Activities Bill to Parliament, and would also sign an agreement on technology safeguards with the United States - where Rocket Lab's parent company is based.

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce said the regulations were required so the rockets could be launched safely.

"They [Rocket Lab] intend to launch them quite regularly. My understanding is they have a number of launch customers, in the United States primarily."

Rocket Lab's primary areas of interest were scientific research and telecommunications, Mr Joyce said.


Rocket Lab's Electron is designed to deliver small satellites to orbit. Photo: SUPPLIED / Rocket Lab

"And also earth observation - for the sorts of technology [which are] in the areas like water management and those precision agriculture areas, which are increasingly using information sourced from observation satellites."

The rockets could eventually be launched monthly, he said.

"But it would be a matter of their arrangements with the Wairoa District Council, which has approved how often they can launch and so on."

New Zealand also intended to sign the United Nations Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space, which would require the country to keep a register of the space objects it launched.

www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/306364/govt-to-launch-new-rules-for-rockets

Read more about the government's proposed regulatory regime for outer space activities
www.mbie.govt.nz/info-services/sectors-industries/space

[madmac]

I wonder why the NZ Space Agency is part of MBIE and not the Ministry of Transport, might the government equivalent of startups rushing in where incumbents fear.

[kiwithrottlejockey]

Sometime I'll tell you about a bit of teenage hi-jinks back in 1973 when a group of us launched a home-made rocket out of the backyard of our pad in Hastings, and instead of it doing a short trajectory into the adjacent Nelson Park rugby field over the back fence, it disappeared at a huge rate of knots when it went way better than we had ever dreamed it would. Mind you, we were using some rather dangerous chemicals as a propellant, along with knowledge taught to us by a science teacher at Karamu High School a few short years before. This particular teacher used to resort to creating mini explosions, stink bombs, rather interesting chemical reactions, and other diversions in the science lab when he noticed the student's attention was waning, then he'd go back to the lesson at hand; but some of us never forgot how he did what he did (teacher's would probably get into deep shit today if they did what this particular teacher used to do); and later, some of us found ourselves working at industrial plants with the necessary dangerous chemicals stored in huge quantities to be used in various industrial processes.

Lets just say that at some point in the future (I'm sure it hasn't already happened), one day, somebody will be doing some earthworks somewhere in Hastings and will dig-up the remains of a strange-looking un-guided rocket contraption and will think, WTF??

[ErrolC]

NZ Herald version:
www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11656299

New Zealand has signed an agreement with the United States imposing rules for Outer Space and use of rocket equipment as Auckland-based company Rocket Lab gears up for a launch.

The agreement covered safeguards associated with the use in New Zealand of controlled US rocket technology.

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Foreign Minister Murray McCully said New Zealand would have have a world class space regulatory framework which includes the Technology Safeguards Agreement (TSA) with the United States, accession to the United Nations Convention on Registration of Objects launched into Outer Space, and a new law governing space and high altitude activities.

"The TSA which will be signed in Washington this week paves the way for innovative companies, in the first instance Rocket Lab through its U.S. parent company, to launch rockets and satellites from New Zealand," Joyce said.

Rocket Lab welcomed the agreement, saying the Government's commitment to seeing New Zealand join the global space arena was exciting news for our country.

"The space economy generates over $330 billion dollars annually, and presents a considerable opportunity for New Zealand," said Rocket Lab founder Peter Beck.

"New Zealand has a unique opportunity to capitalise on its geographic position, which provides ideal launch trajectories for small satellites."

Joyce said the agreement contained safeguards to protect controlled US rocket and satellite technology while ensuring New Zealand agencies retain the ability to perform their statutory tasks.

"New Zealand has also reserved the ability to prevent a launch in New Zealand that is contrary to New Zealand law or policies".

The Minister of Foreign Affairs has designated the TSA as a major bilateral treaty of particular significance and it will be subject to a Parliamentary treaty examination by the Select Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade.

"The Agreement with the US will provide a platform to build on the long-standing links that exist between many New Zealand and US technology companies, McCully said.

" It adds an additional dimension to our close, established relationship with the US while protecting New Zealand's national interests."

New Zealand has also decided to join the UN Convention on Registration of Objects launched into Outer Space which means the country will establish and maintain a register of space objects launched from here and a mechanism to identify space objects.

This was consistent with New Zealand adopting the position of being a "responsible" launching site.

Rocket Lab's Electron is being developed to launch satellites into space at a much lower cost than other operators and is developing a launch site at Mahia, south of Gisborne.

Beck said economic growth opportunities will stem from direct and indirect employment, the development of large infrastructure, and the engagement of domestic suppliers and facilities.

"We believe the launch site will create further employment and tourism opportunities in regional New Zealand."