https://spacewatch.global/tag/new-zealand/ AN INDEPENDENT PERSPECTIVE ON SPACE Wed, 01 Apr 2026 10:47:59 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 https://spacewatch.global/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SpaceWatchGlobal-Sign-90x90.png https://spacewatch.global/tag/new-zealand/ 32 32 https://spacewatch.global/2026/04/u-s-and-new-zealand-renew-commercial-and-military-space-partnerships-after-bilateral-space-dialogue/ Wed, 01 Apr 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=72524 The United States and New Zealand held a bilateral Space Dialogue in Washington to strengthen cooperation in outer space.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2025/07/new-zealand-enacts-regulations-to-oversee-use-of-ground-based-space-infrastructure/ Thu, 24 Jul 2025 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=66448 The New Zealand government has passed legislation to regulate the use of ground-based space infrastructure (GBSI), following concerns of the use of GBSI in ways contrary to the country's national interests, including via foreign interference. As a result, the Oceanic Government is strengthening its regulatory framework to keep pace with technological advances in satellites, communications, and orbital operations.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2024/10/uk-and-new-zealand-sign-satellite-removal-blueprint/ Mon, 21 Oct 2024 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=61798 The UK and New Zealand space agencies have signed a blueprint for the removal and servicing of operational satellites that are very close together or making contact with one another. The arrangement, which both parties signed, aims to support missions in the fast-growing areas of in-orbit servicing, space debris removal and satellite refueling, known as ‘rendezvous and proximity’ operations.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2024/09/kenya-space-agency-installs-new-radio-telescope/ Fri, 06 Sep 2024 06:00:39 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=56862 The Kenya Space Agency (KSA) has completed the installation of the Transient Array Radio Telescope (TART), enhancing the East African country's role in radio astronomy. The announcement happened on the side of a week-long workshop by KSA, in collaboration with the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO), and the Electronic Research Foundation of New Zealand. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2023/08/rocket-lab-launches-40th-electron-mission/ Fri, 25 Aug 2023 06:00:49 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=50717 Rocket Lab USA, Inc. has launched a dedicated Electron mission for Capella Space.. The mission demonstrated several significant milestones for Rocket Lab’s reusability program, including an ocean splashdown of the Electron rocket’s first stage and the successful flight of a previously flown Rutherford engine. The mission was also Rocket Lab’s 40th Electron launch since the Company began launches in 2017, further cementing Electron’s position as a competitive commercial small launch vehicle globally.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2023/05/new-zealand-launches-national-space-policy/ Wed, 31 May 2023 06:00:21 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=49144 New Zealand has launched its national space policy, outlining the increasing geopolitical risks associated with space and the urgency to work with like-minded partners to protect the country’s national security. The Policy also set out New Zealand’s values and high-level objectives for space activities. The policy outlines the New Zealand Government’s objectives for growing an innovative and inclusive space sector, protecting and advancing its national security and economic interests.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2023/05/rocket-lab-launches-second-batch-of-tropics-satellites/ Mon, 29 May 2023 06:00:34 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=49081 Rocket Lab USA, Inc. has successfully completed the second of two dedicated Electron launches to deploy a constellation of tropical cyclone monitoring satellites for NASA. The "Coming To A Storm Near You" launch lifted-off on May 26 at 15:46 NZST (03:46 UTC) from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 on New Zealand’s Mahia Peninsula, deploying the final two CubeSats of NASA’s TROPICS constellation to orbit.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2022/12/gmv-joins-forces-with-lockheed-martin-to-develop-southpan-system/ Thu, 01 Dec 2022 07:00:45 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=45198 Multinational technology firm GMV has signed an agreement with aerospace, arms, defense, information security, and technology corporation Lockheed Martin, to develop the processing and control centers for the Southern Positioning Augmentation Network system (SouthPAN), GMV said. SouthPAN is a joint effort of the Australian and New Zealand governments to provide a satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) for navigation and precise point positioning services. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2022/10/new-zealand-signs-space-agreement-with-germany/ Thu, 06 Oct 2022 06:00:17 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=43768 The New Zealand Space Agency and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action BMWK signed an agreement to promote the safe, secure and responsible use of outer space, the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment stated.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2022/09/japan-and-germany-declare-asat-missile-test-ban/ Thu, 15 Sep 2022 12:00:30 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=43359 Japan and Germany declared the countries will not conduct direct-ascent anti-satellite (ASAT) missile testing, agreeing to the US-driven initiative launched earlier this year. The announcement was made during the second session of the UN Open-Ended Working Group on reducing space threats.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2022/08/u-s-signs-framework-agreement-with-new-zealand-to-boost-space-sector/ Tue, 16 Aug 2022 06:00:11 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=42739 The United States and the New Zealand governments signed a Framework Agreement to provide new opportunities for the New Zealand space sector and closer collaboration with NASA, said Economic and Regional Development Minister, Stuart Nash. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, and Vice President Kamala Harris, welcomed the completion of negotiations on the agreement earlier in May.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2021/04/rocket-lab-builds-mission-control-for-methanesat/ Mon, 26 Apr 2021 06:00:07 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=32252&preview=true&preview_id=32252 Luxembourg, 26 April 2021. – Rocket Lab builds a mission center in New Zealand for the climate monitoring satellite MethaneSAT, the company said. MethaneSAT is a satellite mission created to foster and accelerate reductions in the emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas responsible for at least a quarter of today’s planetary warming.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2020/09/rocket-lab-launches-first-light-photon-satellite/ Mon, 07 Sep 2020 05:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=25876&preview=true&preview_id=25876 Rocket Lab launches "First Light" photon satellite]]> https://spacewatch.global/2020/08/rocket-lab-to-resume-electron-launches-in-august/ Mon, 03 Aug 2020 05:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=24727&preview=true&preview_id=24727 https://spacewatch.global/2020/06/rocket-lab-sets-launch-window-for-12th-electron-mission/ Mon, 01 Jun 2020 05:00:13 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=23033 Rocket Lab, a space technology company and the global leader in dedicated small satellite launch, has resumed launch operations for its next Electron launch following the easing of Covid-19 restrictions.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2020/05/rocket-lab-resumes-launch-operations-completes-dress-rehearsal-for-12th-electron-mission/ Tue, 12 May 2020 05:00:30 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=22408 Rocket Lab, a space technology company and a global leader in dedicated small satellite launch, has resumed launch operations for its next Electron launch following the easing of Covid-19 restrictions at Launch Complex 1. The mission will launch payloads for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Canberra Space.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2020/04/rocket-lab-to-launch-dedicated-mission-for-japanese-space-start-up-synspective/ Thu, 16 Apr 2020 05:00:08 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=21603 Rocket Lab has signed a deal with Japanese satellite company Synspective to launch a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite in late 2020. The signing was announced on 14 April 2020.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2020/04/rhea-space-activity-advances-us-ability-to-gather-intelligence-in-cislunar-space/ Fri, 10 Apr 2020 05:00:36 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=21412 The rapidly growing new space startup Rhea Space Activity (RSA), headquartered in Washington DC and with operations in Colorado Springs, has been tapped by the United States Air Force (USAF) to develop a wholly new field of intelligence to surveil "cislunar" space - that is, the volume of space between the Earth and the Moon.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2020/04/rocket-lab-successfully-completes-electron-mid-air-recovery-test/ Fri, 10 Apr 2020 05:00:03 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=21430 Rocket Lab, a space systems company and the global leader in dedicated small satellite launch, has successfully completed a mid-air recovery test – a maneuver that involves snagging an Electron test stage from the sky with a helicopter.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2020/03/rocket-lab-postpones-launch-of-its-next-mission-in-response-to-covid-19-situation/ Fri, 27 Mar 2020 06:00:53 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=20979 Rocket Lab has postponed the launch of its next mission in response to the COVID-19 situation.In response to the evolving COVID-19 situation, we have paused launch preparations for our next mission to protect the health and safety of Rocket Lab team members, our families, and the wider community.]]>