Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab is a privately-owned company focused on delivering pioneering technology and specialised components to the international space industry. Their aim is to provide innovative low-cost solutions that enable public access to space and to develop a space industry within New Zealand.
They are located within the laboratories of Industrial Research Limited in Auckland, New Zealand. They develop, manufacture and launch suborbital rockets. They provide vehicle and launch facilities, as well as payload experiment design, manufacturing and testing.
Their aims are to design and create exceptional space launch vehicles for suborbital scientific payloads, micro, nano and pico orbital satellites and to spearhead and establish an innovative New Zealand space industry as well as provide a world-class service to the international, national science community and the public, with a focus on delivering low-cost, fast access to space.
UPDATE: As at 1 December 2010.
Rocket Lab, the aerospace company that launched New Zealand’s first private rocket from Great Mercury Island a year ago, announced it had won a major contract in the United States. Chief Executive Peter Beck wasn’t giving away too much but said the contract with L2 Aerospace would see the Auckland company develop technology that its partners would commercialise in the US market. The contract related to technology that had “a specific market application” but no details were given.
I hazard a total rainy-day guess that such a ‘specific market application’ might be delivery for transmissions of video, data and voice services. There’s only ONE major player in that market at the moment, Intelsat. Advanced communications, now that might be a shot in the dark. All just speculation on my part but might be a goer given the globalisation of content, the proliferation of HD as well as the expansion of cellular networks and broadband access. It’ll be an interesting watch.
ATEA-1
Rocket Lab gained fame after launching Atea-1, a 6-metre long, 60 kilogram rocket into space on 30 November 2009. It was believed to be the first private rocket to be launched in the Southern Hemisphere. Peter Beck said, “the success of the launch had opened the door to senior figures in the aerospace industry as well as invitations to visit the US Government space agency NASA.”
Since that launch, Rocketlab has won contracts from the US Government, the Australian Defence Force and major defence contractor Lockhead Martin, although yesterday’s deal was the biggest to date.
Rocket Lab’s new partner, L2 Aerospace, is headed by retired four-star General Lance Lord, the former head of the US Air Force Space Command. Interestingly, he commanded a space wing responsible for satellite launch and ballistic missile test launch ops. General Lord said, “This collaboration opens the door to vast opportunities in the aerospace markets, and has the potential to expand into other programmes by leveraging the combined expertise of two pioneering aerospace companies.” Rocketlab now has five staff.
