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New Zealand To Launch First Private Space Rocket

Posted by kdawson on from the hobbits-in-space dept.

RobGoldsmith sends in a Space Fellowship piece (which seems to be a press release) about New Zealand's entry into the space age. "Private New Zealand aerospace company Rocket Lab completed its final ground-based test today and is now ready to launch New Zealand into the space race with its Atea-1 launch vehicle. The first high-altitude launch of Atea-1 is scheduled for the end of November this year. Once Atea-1 has successfully concluded the development phase it will be the first privately built rocket launched from the Southern Hemisphere to enter space. The article features a new CGI movie on the launch."

59 of 96 comments (clear)

  1. Its a sounding rocket by MichaelSmith · · Score: 1, Informative

    They fire them from Woomera (ie, in the southern hemisphere) all the time.

    --
    http://michaelsmith.id.au
    1. Re:Its a sounding rocket by nietsch · · Score: 1

      Indeed it is. They had to make up some exotic conditions to claim their first. They probably think it is better because it is from New Zealand. Nationalism is an illnes everyone can succumb to, it seems.

      --
      This space is intentionally staring blankly at you
    2. Re:Its a sounding rocket by SETIGuy · · Score: 1
      Yeah, and it goes to half the altitude of an 1947 vintage Aerobee and carries one thirtieth of the payload. It only took 15 years to develop compared to less than two years for the Aerobee. (But that sort of time frame seems to be the direction the world is progressing on all projects.)

      Maybe there's some impressive stats that I'm missing?

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    3. Re:Its a sounding rocket by SETIGuy · · Score: 1

      I know of no weapons system based upon the Aerobee, nor do I think Aerojet was give unlimited funding to develop it.

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      Support SETI@home
    4. Re:Its a sounding rocket by Meski · · Score: 1

      Yeah Britain used to launh rockets from woomera. Probably the aussi government did too. No private rockets tho.

      New Zealand is definately a separate country from aussi, and there is a lot of sporting rivalry. (we beat them at rugby union generally, and they beat us at rugby league. We even beat them at cricket when Sir Richard Hadlee was still playing.

      And NZ bred horses win the Melbourne Cup ..

      We let you win (condescending smirk)

      http://homepage.powerup.com.au/~woomera/history.htm
      Would the Japanese launch in 96 count as private?
      Damn, that's an ugly website.

    5. Re:Its a sounding rocket by Max+Littlemore · · Score: 1

      Nationalism is an illnes everyone can succumb to, it seems.

      It certainly is.

      I must say though, as an Australian, a successful launch would provide a perfect demonstration of the ingenuity of Aussie engineers.

      A failed mission will of course make New Zealand a laughing stock.

      Again.

      --
      I don't therefore I'm not.
  2. Maybe not the first private rocket by SgtChaireBourne · · Score: 4, Funny

    I recall from an interview from the tv program 'Real People' with a fellow who had built a passenger rocket out of spare government parts. It was a torpedo-like tube with a very small window. There was passenger space for a lean person and a parachute.

    I don't recall if it had been test fired. It was also unclear how high it would go. What I do remember well was when the builder was asked if he would fly in it, the answer was along the lines of "hell no".

    --
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    1. Re:Maybe not the first private rocket by elrous0 · · Score: 2, Funny

      If Andy Griffith could build the Salvage-1, then anyone could do it.

      --
      SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
  3. Rocket Lab to launch... by Rob+Kaper · · Score: 3, Insightful

    If it's truly private, Rocket Lab should get all credit, not New Zealand.

    1. Re:Rocket Lab to launch... by marc_the_kiwi · · Score: 2, Informative

      If it's truly private, Rocket Lab should get all credit, not New Zealand.

      If you were a born and bred New Zealander as I am you would realise that the people behind this are the same. Ask anyone from NZ what they are, and I guarantee you they're a kiwi ahead of all other things.
      Reading the article it is quite clearly a kiwi invention. It is being tested with the help of Air New Zealand (partly government owned), it focuses on creating environmental aspects of their design (I can't think of anything more kiwiana) and imho embodies the 'No 8 wire' attitude.
      (for those who don't know, No 8 wire is an icon in NZ. A flexible wire used on the farm to fix just about anything).

      Many many things can be attributed to New Zealanders and their ingenuity, despite it being one of the youngest countries in the world.
      1884 Air Tight Tin Lid - John Eustace
      An air tight tin lid with a lip. Although others copied the idea, he was making 100 tonnes of tin cans a year in the 1920s.
      1982 Baeyertz Tape - Dr John Baeyertz
      Use for accurately estimating birth dates, still used world-wide today.
      1988 Bungy - AJ Hackett
      The world's first commercial bungy site was opened in 1988. In June 1987 AJ bungy jumped illegally from the Eiffel Tower.
      1956 Disposable Hypodermic Syringe - Colin Murdoch
      A disposable, pre-filled syringe.
      1900 Eggbeater - Ernest Godward
      An egg-beater that could prepare eggs for a sponge cake in three and a half minutes, previously it took 15
      1944 Jogging - Arthur Lydiard
      A training technique that saw his two protégés Peter Snell and Murray Halberg win gold medals on the same day at the 1960 Rome Olympics.
      1953 Propellerless Jet Boat - William Hamilton
      The world's first propellerless jet boat
      1901 Spiral Hair Pin - Ernest Godward
      This was a predecessor of the hair clip.
      1919 Split the Atom - Sir Ernest Rutherford
      The first in the world to in 1919. He was awarded a Nobel Prize for his efforts in radioactivity.
      1970s Spreadable Butter - New Zealand Dairy Research Institute
      After years of development, the New Zealand Dairy Research Institute released the worlds first spreadable butter in 1991, which was then made by New Zealand dairy co-operatives and now by Fonterra.
      1950s Tranquilliser Gun - Colin Murdoch
      A tranquilliser gun, also called a capture gun or dart gun, is a non-lethal gun which shoots tranquilliser darts filled with tranquilliser that, when injected, make the target animal sleep.
      1972 Tullen Snips - John Hough
      Scissors which could cut items as tough as one cent coins and by the 1980s more than 20 million had been made.
      1884 Whistle in Sport - William Atack
      The world's first referee to use a whistle to stop a game of sport.
      1994 Zorb - Dwayne van der Sluis and Andrew Akers
      Created the world's first Zorb, a unique adventure activity involving a giant plastic ball, a slope and speeds of up to 50 kilometres per hour.

    2. Re:Rocket Lab to launch... by Nefarious+Wheel · · Score: 3, Interesting

      I've seen some pretty amazing engineering coming out of our NZ neighbors. They remind me of the Swiss more than anyone else. Amazing motorcycles, Stirling-cycle heat pumps, custom cars, all good stuff and very advanced. It would not surprise me in the least if they succeeded in a private space venture.

      Add good engineering to the amazing amount of high quality educational material available online (the full University syllabus material out there) and I can imagine little pockets of excellent engineering and sound science popping up all over the globe.

      Give the Internet some credit for this too.

      --
      Do not mock my vision of impractical footwear
    3. Re:Rocket Lab to launch... by TorKlingberg · · Score: 3, Insightful

      A country is not just its government.

    4. Re:Rocket Lab to launch... by Fred_A · · Score: 1

      I've seen some pretty amazing engineering coming out of our NZ neighbors. They remind me of the Swiss more than anyone else.

      Quite. A lot of small countries gave birth to wondrous inventions.

      1970s Spreadable Butter - New Zealand Dairy Research Institute
      After years of development, the New Zealand Dairy Research Institute released the worlds first spreadable butter in 1991, which was then made by New Zealand dairy co-operatives and now by Fonterra.

      Although a number of the examples given by the resident Kiwi are a bit strange, to say the least...
      ("The world's first referee to use a whistle to stop a game of sport." um, ok.)

      --

      May contain traces of nut.
      Made from the freshest electrons.
    5. Re:Rocket Lab to launch... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      You forgot Colin McKenzie, "the first and greatest innovator of modern cinema" as it says in wikipedia. He invented among other things sound and color film.

      Richard Pearse, the inventor of powered aircraft should also be noted.

    6. Re:Rocket Lab to launch... by elrous0 · · Score: 1

      In all fairness, the world had jogging long before 1944. They just called it "slow running."

      --
      SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
    7. Re:Rocket Lab to launch... by elrous0 · · Score: 1

      If Peter Jackson were here, he would kiss you, sir.

      --
      SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
    8. Re:Rocket Lab to launch... by ondigo · · Score: 1

      Whenever I contemplate emigrating from the US, New Zealand is always at the top of my list. This is just another good reason to bolster that choice.

    9. Re:Rocket Lab to launch... by jrumney · · Score: 1

      Wasn't NZ actually British Colony (1840 to 1946)

      NZ was a British Colony only between 1840 and 1907 (from 1853 it was a self-governing colony).

      I don't think the Queen would approve of splitting atoms in London

      Victoria died while Rutherford was still in the early stages of developing his theories about transmutation of elements at McGill University, but apparently the King didn't really care what might happen to Manchester either.

    10. Re:Rocket Lab to launch... by jrumney · · Score: 1

      despite it being one of the youngest countries in the world.

      A quick look at a 19th century map of the world might show otherwise.

    11. Re:Rocket Lab to launch... by geezer+nerd · · Score: 1

      I did migrate from the US to NZ, and it is a lovely place. But to label ANYTHING in NZ as like New York would get you ridden out of the country on a rail, I think. Ugh, what a nasty thought. Queenstown is only about 12000-15000 people (permanent population, swelling to ~50000 in tourist season), so New York it is not. More like Tokyo if you look at the faces. But to give Queenstown some credit, it is the only place in NZ where I have been able to buy my favorite beer: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.

    12. Re:Rocket Lab to launch... by shadowbearer · · Score: 1

        Out of sheer curiosity (really *g*) just how hard is it to move from the US to NZ?

        I'm not rich by any means, but I do have several good skillsets, know how to work hard and have moved and started a new life a couple times...

        Reason? Well, I could say that I'm sick to death of the bullshit here in the US. That would be true. But mostly, I'm just ready for something different... I'm an independent sort, and am finding life here rather stifling.

      SB

      --
      It's old. The more humans I meet, the more I like my cats. At least they are honest.
    13. Re:Rocket Lab to launch... by dafing · · Score: 1

      Why not visit in the meantime? NZ is a beautiful place. I do warn Americans that you MIGHT be giving up MAJOR parts of your life, like "krispy kreme donuts"....surely that outweighs living in a Nuclear Free, Non Waring country? :( :P

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    14. Re:Rocket Lab to launch... by dafing · · Score: 1
      Why not visit NZ first? Im a native, but dont work in a technical proffession, I dont know if you could find the same kind of engineering jobs etc. A lot of NZ science etc probably revolves around animal agriculture (not GE though!). I wouldnt know, I'm vegan.

      Im sure you'd enjoy a holiday here, I'd recommend visiting "a big city" such as Auckland (our largest city by far at over 1 million), as well as rural parts of NZ. I live in Invercargill, right down the bottom, our claim to fame is "the southernmost Mcdonalds in the world" :)

      --
      --- ...or a new slashdot signature. Dear aunt, let's set so double the killer delete select all
    15. Re:Rocket Lab to launch... by shadowbearer · · Score: 1

        I'd love to visit, but my resources are pretty limited right now. If I were to move it'd take everything I can earn in six months. The job market here sucks, I'm struggling harder than I have in 20 years.

        I'm not an engineer (I know, it's slashdot :) ) but a middle-aged jack of all trades geek. Fix everything from toilets to windows viruses to air tools to sharpening saw blades to lots more... still learning at 42 and not gonna stop :) living old skool.

        I'm actually more interested in small towns, not much of a big city boy. The people are better, in my exp.

        Don't recall the last time I ate at a McDonalds. Cooked for myself for a couple decades, eating out for me is fancy Italian for the fun with a lady :)

      Pretty much a veg myself nowadays, meat is too expensive and wreaks havoc with my gut (getting older thing, there) plus just plain cheaper in farming country, I freeze and can stuff where I can.

        Thanks tho, all input is welcome, I won't set the killer delete bit *g*

      SB

       

      --
      It's old. The more humans I meet, the more I like my cats. At least they are honest.
    16. Re:Rocket Lab to launch... by dafing · · Score: 1

      You could always learn as much as you possibly can about NZ, so it FEELS like you're on a holiday here? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invercargill is where I live, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiordland is a wonderful place to visit, filmed in Lord of the Rings etc, it has the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manapouri_Power_Station which is very interesting for geeks. From the outside, barely anything can be seen, inside, the walls are all rock and dripping with lime deposits etc, truly a cave! best wishes to you.

      --
      --- ...or a new slashdot signature. Dear aunt, let's set so double the killer delete select all
    17. Re:Rocket Lab to launch... by shadowbearer · · Score: 1

        Thanks for the links, I'll look when I find time. Working all the time right now :(

        May I ask why you're "advertising"?

        (I'm becoming an old curmudgeon, y'see, cynical and full of doubt)
        (Counter: Come visit the Black Hills sometime)

      SB

      --
      It's old. The more humans I meet, the more I like my cats. At least they are honest.
    18. Re:Rocket Lab to launch... by dafing · · Score: 1

      oh, see, every tourist who comes, gets their soul removed. For every soul I bring into the evil NZ governments employ, I get a new car.

      Just heard you like NZ, I love my country, and wanted to help give you some starting points.

      Best wishes

      --
      --- ...or a new slashdot signature. Dear aunt, let's set so double the killer delete select all
    19. Re:Rocket Lab to launch... by shadowbearer · · Score: 1

        I'm looking for somewhere where I can come and work hard, like I am now, and it matters to the people living there.

        Somewhere where dreams are alive. Where I can talk about space travel in a bar and people don't dismiss it because they are more interested in the latest sports scores.

        Not bloody likely there's anywhere like that on this planet.

      SB

       

      --
      It's old. The more humans I meet, the more I like my cats. At least they are honest.
    20. Re:Rocket Lab to launch... by Maelwryth · · Score: 1

      You forgot;
      "William Hayward Pickering ONZ KBE (24 December 1910 — 15 March 2004) was a New Zealand born rocket scientist who headed Pasadena, California's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) for 22 years, retiring in 1976. He was a senior NASA luminary and pioneered the exploration of space."*

      I emailed Rocket Labs for a better time table as I should be able to get a good view of the launch, and they said;

      "Thank you for your interest.

      We have a media contingent going and one of them may be doing something,
      but we have no plans at this stage to provide live updates.

      If the weather is good, it'll likely be between 6am and 7am Monday 30th."

      *quoted from Wikipedia

      --
      I reserve the write to mangle english.
    21. Re:Rocket Lab to launch... by geezer+nerd · · Score: 1

      I am pretty sure that NZ is not the place you are looking for, given this description. The norm in NZ is extreme interest in sports. In most bars you would have to put up with the ever-present TV showing the sports event of the day with most folks paying rapt attention.

    22. Re:Rocket Lab to launch... by geezer+nerd · · Score: 1

      Don't even think about moving to NZ until you have visited, and more than once. Each visit should be minimum 3 weeks, else you will not see enough different aspects of the country.

    23. Re:Rocket Lab to launch... by geezer+nerd · · Score: 1
      How hard is it to make the move? I would point you to http://www.immigration.govt.nz/ where you can find out a lot about the process. That site has all the rules, all the forms you need, and lots of information.

      I retired and moved here, which is not easy to do for most folks unless they have buckets of money (I don't). I happen to be married to a NZ citizen and was able to ride in on her coattails. Being retired, I have not personally dipped my toe into the job market here. There are lists of "needed" skills which the government keeps, and you will need to fit one or more of those to get residence.

      The worldwide recession has bit NZ, too, though apparently not as bad as the US. The job market is very tight now. The newspapers report signs of recovery, but it is slow. On a brighter note, housing is cheaper than it has been in several years and mortgage rates are lower right now.

  4. Manned "amateur" space flight in Denmark by JesVestervang · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Here in Denmark, we have some guys working on a manned space flight: http://www.copenhagensuborbitals.com/ "Our mission is very simple. We are working towards launching a human being into space. This is a non-profit suborbital space endeavor lead by Kristian von Bengtson and Peter Madsen, based entirely on sponsors and volunteers." Their progress is impressive!

  5. They gave up? by d4nowar · · Score: 1, Troll

    So they gave up on their toothbrush fence?

  6. Great Mercury Island by FlightlessParrot · · Score: 2, Informative

    Great Mercury Island is actually off the East Coast of the North Island, about the same latitude as Auckland. I expect they've designed it so it will work in the rain.

  7. Bad idea? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    But they are on the bottom of the planet - won't they be firing the wrong way?

    1. Re:Bad idea? by Fred_A · · Score: 4, Funny

      But they are on the bottom of the planet - won't they be firing the wrong way?

      Of course not, it's a huge advantage, they just have to drop the rocket. They'll save loads of fuel.

      --

      May contain traces of nut.
      Made from the freshest electrons.
  8. My connection to Rocket Lab by twosat · · Score: 1

    When I read this I remembered reading somewhere that this company was involved with internet entrepreneur Mark Rocket. I googled him and sure enough he is mentioned as a co-founder of Rocket Lab. Some years ago he was our neighbour and rented a house from my parents. I know that he did not have much money back then, but now he is a multi-millionaire. Mr Rocket, who changed his name from Stevens, was the first New Zealander to book a seat on Virgin Galactic's sub-orbital space flight in 2010. It's now approaching 1:00am but I thought it was nice to know that he has made a success of his life in the internet industry. I wish him and the company all the best in their endeavours.

  9. Those New Zealanders... by Chuq · · Score: 2, Funny

    Let them into the World Cup and next thing you know they think they can join the space race!

    --
    - Chuq
  10. Launched as by kevingolding2001 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Rocket: Oh Noo, Oh Noo, I'm launched Broo. I'm launched es.
    Satellite: Hey Broo, Hey Broo, what are you doing broo?
    Rocket: Dude, I'm launched es.
    Satellite: Ah Haw Shit. Your launched es!
    Rocket: Tell me something I doo'nt noo.
    Satellite:.... Broo, you're heaps launched es!
    Rocket: Soo launched. Launched es.

    1. Re:Launched as by AGMW · · Score: 4, Funny

      Unfortunately they've re-used existing Kiwi tech, so rather than a capsule to hold the pilot they just attach him to the bottom of the rocket with a bungee cord.
      The rocket should get about half-way before the cord is tight enough to lift the pilot which has an added benefit, safety-wise, as any problems during the launch and they can just cut the cord!

      --
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      handmadehands.co.uk
    2. Re:Launched as by pinkstuff · · Score: 1

      In case you don't know what parent is on about: Beached As. Warning, Kiwi and Australian humour.

    3. Re:Launched as by MrKaos · · Score: 1

      Satellite:.... Broo, you're heaps launched es!

      Rocket: Soo launched. Launched es.....

      Satellite:cherhh Broo...

      --
      My ism, it's full of beliefs.
  11. You forgot... by turing_m · · Score: 1, Funny

    ...velcro gloves.

    --
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  12. xena connection by hort_wort · · Score: 2, Interesting

    New Zealand is where Xena was filmed. The new planetoid recently discovered was also named Xena. Coincidence? I think not.

    1. Re:xena connection by confused+one · · Score: 4, Informative

      The dwarf planet you refer to is officially named Eris.

    2. Re:xena connection by SETIGuy · · Score: 1

      That name was chosen to make it a top destination for a manned mission. I can see the mission decal now.... "To Eris, Human!"

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    3. Re:xena connection by nickrout · · Score: 1

      The company is called Rocket Lab Ltd. It makes rockets. One shareholder/director is called Mark Rocket. http://coys.co.nz/company/?no=1835428 Coincidence? I think not!

    4. Re:xena connection by Tetsujin · · Score: 1

      That name was chosen to make it a top destination for a manned mission. I can see the mission decal now.... "To Eris, Human!"

      It sounds more like a slave colony the aliens will ship humans off to in order to mine their precious... um... whatever it is they have on Eris...

      --
      Bow-ties are cool.
  13. Bowie's In Space by skyriser2 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Hopefully it will look something like this...

    Flight of the Conchords, Bowie's In Space:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4zV4pJ8MwM

  14. Flight of the Conchords, indeed by elrous0 · · Score: 4, Funny

    We should have never given these people the technology to make movies. They've progressed in only one generation from filmmaking to building rockets. Who knows what shenanigans they may be capable of in the next generation.

    --
    SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
    1. Re:Flight of the Conchords, indeed by shadowbearer · · Score: 1

        Positively refreshing, ain' it? :)

      SB

      --
      It's old. The more humans I meet, the more I like my cats. At least they are honest.
  15. that means by gemada · · Score: 1

    It's business time

  16. New Zealanders! Don't touch 'em! by Tetsujin · · Score: 1

    If it's truly private, Rocket Lab should get all credit, not New Zealand.

    If you were a born and bred New Zealander as I am you would realise that the people behind this are the same. Ask anyone from NZ what they are, and I guarantee you they're a kiwi ahead of all other things.

    New Zealanders are all un-hygienic!

    --
    Bow-ties are cool.
  17. You like Boom, I like Boom! by Tetsujin · · Score: 1

    Hopefully it will look something like this...

    Flight of the Conchords, Bowie's In Space:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4zV4pJ8MwM

    Or like a rocket takin' off to the moon!

    --
    Bow-ties are cool.
  18. Thanks for nothing! by skelly33 · · Score: 1

    "By KroNicKq // 1923Turk-Grup" <- I'm assuming this is some zit-faced loser.

  19. Re:Forgotten Silver? by geezer+nerd · · Score: 1

    The video did indicate the launch site would be very far south on the South Island. There is certainly a lot of empty land down there which could be used. I just wonder how many years it would take to get the necessary building and operating consents from the local council(s).

  20. Zona by Impy+the+Impiuos+Imp · · Score: 1

    For Christ's sake, Xena cannot leap into orbit. It's just fiction, New Zealand.

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  21. Re:New Zealanders! Don't touch 'em! by Tetsujin · · Score: 1

    troll alert

    You didn't get the reference, apparently... That's OK. I enjoy spouting off references to TV shows and such but it's childish to act as if everyone simply must recognize the same set of pop culture references...

    --
    Bow-ties are cool.