Boost for New Zealand’s space industry as rocket is successfully test-launched
Wellington — Rocket Lab said it has successfully test-launched a rocket into space from a remote area of New Zealand’s North Island. "Made it to space. Team delighted. More to follow," the US company, founded by New Zealander Peter Beck, tweeted at 4.29pm New Zealand time on Thursday. It is the first test of the company’s Electron Rocket from New Zealand, a country of just 4.7-million people deep in the South Pacific. Rocket Lab aims to build a New Zealand base from which to launch small satellites into low orbit. The country is considered a prime location because rockets originating deep in the Southern Hemisphere can reach a wide range of Earth orbits. The goal is to increase the pace and affordability of sending up imaging and communication gear used for services including weather monitoring, natural disaster management and crop surveillance. The company said in 2015 that it should be able to offer a launch service for less than $5m. "Today’s successful launch is a major mileston...
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