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#480
by
savuporo
on 10 May, 2016 07:04
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From Auckland, yes.. but from Napier? Would they really truck the rocket all the way from Auckland?? IIRC, that's a pretty crappy road.
I actually looked it up. Napier has
plenty of infrastructure for this, and even Wairoa. So yeah, not that far.
Taupo to Auckland isnt bad at all, i've driven this in a van, but the coastal road is probably a bit more adventurous.
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#481
by
Danderman
on 14 May, 2016 16:36
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New Zealand?
I hope they have their ITAR clearances in hand.
ITAR only applies to countries USA is not on best of terms with. For DOD launches Rocket labs plans to launch out USA.
ITAR applies to all countries.
NZ is part of Five Eyes; a US, UK, Canada, Australia and NZ intelligence alliance dating to WW-2. I think we can trust NZ to keep their end secure.
Doesn't matter, this company must obtain a TAA to even discuss rocketry with nationals of New Zealand.
While the majority of the ownership of the company appears to now be American, the technology they're using is being developed and manufactured in New Zealand with most of their top technical people being Kiwi's, so there's no potentially military technology leaving the US.
As long as no Americans have any unlicensed discussions with nationals of New Zealand, there would be no issue, although I would recommend that the company engage with an expert on ITAR first.
Remember, Boeing received a $6 million fine for having personnel in the same room where Russians and Ukrainians were discussing rocket technology in Russian.
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#482
by
edkyle99
on 15 May, 2016 16:01
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Doesn't matter, this company must obtain a TAA to even discuss rocketry with nationals of New Zealand.
"This company"
is a New Zealand company, with a U.S. presence only for funding and contracts, etc., a probably for paperwork like ITAR.
- Ed Kyle
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#483
by
gongora
on 15 May, 2016 16:20
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As long as no Americans have any unlicensed discussions with nationals of New Zealand, there would be no issue, although I would recommend that the company engage with an expert on ITAR first.
Remember, Boeing received a $6 million fine for having personnel in the same room where Russians and Ukrainians were discussing rocket technology in Russian.
They've been working on this for years, with operations in New Zealand and U.S., they have received government contracts already, you really think they've never heard of ITAR and don't already have plans in place for dealing with it?
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#484
by
Danderman
on 21 May, 2016 03:24
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Doesn't matter, this company must obtain a TAA to even discuss rocketry with nationals of New Zealand.
"This company" is a New Zealand company, with a U.S. presence only for funding and contracts, etc., a probably for paperwork like ITAR.
- Ed Kyle
Hmmm... It must have been that whole "rocketlabusa.com" thing that fooled me. As long as all of the engineers are nationals of New Zealand, and no one from the USA is involved in technical discussions, they would be OK.
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#485
by
Kryten
on 24 May, 2016 18:23
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James Dean @flatoday_jdean 10m10 minutes ago
Rocket Lab's Schneider: targeting 1st Electron test launch late summer, 1st commercial flight Feb. '17, cross fingers. #SpaceCongress2016
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#486
by
rocx
on 24 May, 2016 18:29
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Is that northern or southern summer? I suppose the former, because February '17 is still in the southern summer.
Looks like Electron will fly before Falcon Heavy, but after CZ-7. And more important, first of the current wave of small launchers in development. And probably before the International Astronautical Congress of 26-30 September too.
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#487
by
Kryten
on 24 May, 2016 19:38
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This was at a conference in the US, so will be northern summer.
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#488
by
chalz
on 24 May, 2016 20:25
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James Dean @flatoday_jdean 10m10 minutes ago
Rocket Lab's Schneider: targeting 1st Electron test launch late summer, 1st commercial flight Feb. '17, cross fingers. #SpaceCongress2016
They keep using the phrase '1st test launch' so I wonder how many they are planning? One test flight seems enough for other rockets. Maybe it is in case of failure they will be ready with another.
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#489
by
bstrong
on 24 May, 2016 20:30
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They keep using the phrase '1st test launch' so I wonder how many they are planning? One test flight seems enough for other rockets. Maybe it is in case of failure they will be ready with another.
The most relevant recent comparison (brand new launcher developed by a startup) is probably Falcon 1, which required four. With luck, Electron will need fewer, but I would hope they are budgeting for at least four.
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#490
by
TrevorMonty
on 24 May, 2016 23:21
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They could offer the first few flights at a heavily discount rate. Cubesats should be reasonably resilient to LV failure compared to big GEO satellites. In most cases replacing a cubesat should only take a few months, in case of Planetlabs weeks.
I'm picking there will be a few customers willing to risk their cubesats for cheap early ride.
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#491
by
savuporo
on 24 May, 2016 23:30
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James Dean @flatoday_jdean 10m10 minutes ago
Rocket Lab's Schneider: targeting 1st Electron test launch late summer, 1st commercial flight Feb. '17, cross fingers. #SpaceCongress2016
Another tweet was this:
https://twitter.com/flatoday_jdean/status/735172696443658240Rocket Lab's Schneider: actively looking at launch site options in Florida; working on reducing range costs. #SpaceCongress2016
Thats the issue with these launchers - range fees end up being a substantial chunk of the costs. I wonder if they have any recurring fees for launching from Mahia, apart from their own infrastructure upkeep costs ?
And another :
https://twitter.com/FLSPACErePORT/status/735173053957603328Rocket Lab talking to other US spaceports, working w/KSC, hopes USAF can lower cost for Electron on the Eastern Range. #SpaceCongress2016
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#492
by
Galactic Penguin SST
on 24 May, 2016 23:47
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James Dean @flatoday_jdean 10m10 minutes ago
Rocket Lab's Schneider: targeting 1st Electron test launch late summer, 1st commercial flight Feb. '17, cross fingers. #SpaceCongress2016
Anyone betting $1 US that this (or heck even the first flight in 2016) won't happen?
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#493
by
savuporo
on 24 May, 2016 23:51
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James Dean @flatoday_jdean 10m10 minutes ago
Rocket Lab's Schneider: targeting 1st Electron test launch late summer, 1st commercial flight Feb. '17, cross fingers. #SpaceCongress2016
Anyone betting $1 US that this (or heck even the first flight in 2016) won't happen?
You want to set up a pool ? I'd put $25 on them at least taking off but probably not making orbit - or even space.
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#494
by
CameronD
on 25 May, 2016 00:48
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James Dean @flatoday_jdean 10m10 minutes ago
Rocket Lab's Schneider: targeting 1st Electron test launch late summer, 1st commercial flight Feb. '17, cross fingers. #SpaceCongress2016
Anyone betting $1 US that this (or heck even the first flight in 2016) won't happen?
You want to set up a pool ? I'd put $25 on them at least taking off but probably not making orbit - or even space.
Perhaps we need a Rocketlab Bingo then?
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#495
by
QuantumG
on 25 May, 2016 00:49
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That's not very nice.
I wish our eastward cousins the best of luck.
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#496
by
CameronD
on 25 May, 2016 00:53
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That's not very nice.
I wish our eastward cousins the best of luck.
As do I.. believe me.
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#497
by
The Amazing Catstronaut
on 25 May, 2016 01:15
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I reckon 2017 they'll nail it. Probably second or third flight (give some leeway for them RUDing up their first rocket). 2016 seems a touch aggressive - here's hoping they succeed.
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#498
by
savuporo
on 26 May, 2016 06:21
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I reckon 2017 they'll nail it. Probably second or third flight (give some leeway for them RUDing up their first rocket). 2016 seems a touch aggressive - here's hoping they succeed.
2016 for at least an attempt to launch, because they are a startup with limited runway and next funding cliff always on the horizon. Just execution matters more than success at certain stage, for gaining more runway - although stellar success is always welcome.
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#499
by
Alf Fass
on 14 Jun, 2016 06:33
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The New Zealand Government is putting into place the legislation required for space launch, including agreements with the US:
There are new rules for outer space, as New Zealand gears up for its first rocket launch with the help of the United States.
Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce says a new regime will help secure and responsible space launches from New Zealand.
Measures include introducing the High Altitude Activities Bill to outline international obligations, put in safety guidelines and penalties.
All launches must have a license and payload permit from the launch facility which can last up to five years. The Minister may revoke or suspend these. New Zealanders must also apply for launch licenses outside of New Zealand.
A successful applicant must also pass a "fit and proper person test" which includes looking at compliance history, experience in the industry, mental health and convictions.
A new agreement with the United States has also been reached to protect their rocket and satellite technology on New Zealand soil.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/81041705/new-zealands-space-policy-government-lays-out-rocket-rules-and-united-states-pact
