New Zealand To Launch First Private Space Rocket

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."

Comments

Maybe not the first private rocket

[SgtChaireBourne]

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".

Rocket Lab to launch...

[Rob Kaper]

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

Re:Rocket Lab to launch...

[Nefarious Wheel]

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.

Re:Rocket Lab to launch...

[TorKlingberg]

A country is not just its government.

Bad idea?

[Anonymous Coward]

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

Re:Bad idea?

[Fred_A]

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.

Launched as

[kevingolding2001]

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.

Re:Launched as

[AGMW]

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!

Re:xena connection

[confused one]

The dwarf planet you refer to is officially named Eris.

Flight of the Conchords, indeed

[elrous0]

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.