Rocket Lab, a Silicon Valley-funded space launch company, on Thursday launched the maiden flight of its battery-powered, 3D-printed rocket from New Zealand's remote Mahia Peninsula.
"Made it to space. Team delighted," Rocket Lab said on its official Twitter account.
The successful launch of a low cost, 3D-printed rocket is an important step in the commercial race to bring down financial and logistical barriers to space while also making New Zealand an unlikely space hub.
The Los Angeles and New Zealand-based rocket firm has touted its service as a way for companies to get satellites into orbit regularly.
"Our focus with the Electron has been to develop a reliable launch vehicle that can be manufactured in high volumes - our ultimate goal is to make space accessible by providing an unprecedented frequency of launch opportunities," said Peter Beck, Rocket Lab founder and chief executive in a statement.
The firm had spent the past four years preparing for the test launch and last week received the go-ahead from the US Federal Aviation Administration, which is monitoring the flight.
Bad weather had delayed the rocket from taking off three times this week.
New Zealand has created new rocket legislation and set up a space agency in anticipation of becoming a low-cost space hub.
Ships and planes need re-routing every time a rocket is launched, which limits opportunities in crowded US skies, but New Zealand, a country of 4 million people in the South Pacific, has only Antarctica to its south. The country is also well-positioned to send satellites bound for a north-to-south orbit around the poles.
But many locals in the predominantly Mori community were not happy with access to public areas blocked.
"People come to Mahia so they can go to the beach and it's been chopped off now and by the sounds of it one of these rockets are going to be launching one every 30 days so they've taken over our lifestyle," said Mahia farmer Pua Taumata.
But Taumata also said the programme could bring opportunities.
"I'm for technology ... a lot of things could come of it through education. It gives our children something different in their careers. Nobody thought to get into the space industry (before now)," he said.
Rocket Lab is one of about 30 companies and agencies worldwide developing small satellite launchers as an alternative to firms jostling for space on larger launches or paying around $50 million for a dedicated service.
The company said in a statement it has now received $148 million in funding and is valued in excess of $1 billion.
Rocket Lab's customers include NASA, earth-imaging firm Planet and startups Spire and Moon Express.
The firm will carry out two more tests before it starts commercial operations, slated to begin towards the end of this year.
View original post here:
- How Long Would It Take To Travel To The Nearest Star ... [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2016]
- Time travel - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2016]
- Space tourism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: July 8th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 8th, 2016]
- Space Travel and Exploration [Last Updated On: July 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 25th, 2016]
- Space-A travel - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: August 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 25th, 2016]
- Human spaceflight - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: August 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 25th, 2016]
- Space Travel Facts for Kids [Last Updated On: August 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 25th, 2016]
- Spaceflight - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: August 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 25th, 2016]
- Space travel - Dune - Wikia [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2016]
- Daily Science Fiction :: Space Travel [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2016]
- SPACE TRAVEL - Fact Monster [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2016]
- Space Tourism - National Space Society [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2016]
- space travel - NYMag.com [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2016]
- Articles about Space Travel - latimes [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2016]
- Space Travel - Astronomy + Space Exploration - Leisure [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2016]
- Space travel visionaries solve the problem of interstellar slowdown at Alpha Centauri - Phys.Org [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Humans to be FROZEN IN TIME for space travel as scientists move to COLONISE other planets - Express.co.uk [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Space flight changes astronauts' brains, research reveals - Fox News [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- A Real Life Hibernation Chamber is Being Made For Deep Space Travel - Futurism [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Is This Buzz Aldrin-Inspired Locomotive The Future Of Space Travel? - Forbes [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Space travel visionaries solve the problem of interstellar slowdown ... - Science Daily [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Space travel changes DNA, study finds - STLtoday.com [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Celestial bodies: The Kelly twins offer a vital sign for space travel - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- First results on Scott Kelly after year in space reveal space travel changes DNA - USA TODAY [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Quantum Entanglement May Be Key To Long Distance Space Travel Ex Lockheed Exec Said It's Already Happening - Collective Evolution [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center employees safe, returning following Michoud tornado - whnt.com [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Newspaper review: Heartthrob and space travel in Wednesday's papers - BBC News [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Another View: NASA's Twins Study offers vital sign for space travel - Press Herald [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Piece of tragic shuttle history gets a second chance at space travel - WQAD.com [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Meet Shawn Pandya, The Third Indian-Origin Woman To Space-Travel - Huffington Post India [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Shawna Pandya clears the air on rumours of space travel - Daily News & Analysis [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Kelly twins offer a vital sign for space travel - San Angelo Standard Times [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Did a CSU study find that space travel makes you younger? Not so ... - The Denver Post [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Lacoste delves into the world of space travel at New York Fashion ... - Evening Standard [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Another Viewpoint: The Kelly twins offer a vital sign for space travel ... - Gainesville Sun [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Starbound to revamp space travel in future update | PC Gamer - PC Gamer [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- How Does Long-Term Space Travel Affect Humans? - Voice of America [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- SPACE TRAVEL MAY CAUSE GENETIC CHANGES: STUDY - The Indian Panorama [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Two-Time Space Traveling Astronaut to Speak at Black History ... - Patriots Point [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Twins in space: intergalactic travel could change DNA - The Student [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Make space travel great again: NASA, heeding Trump, may add astronauts to a test flight moon mission - National Post [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Focus Friday: The necessity of space travel - The Daily Cougar [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- In recently unearthed essay, Winston Churchill anticipated space travel and extraterrestrial life - Washington Post [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Focus Friday: The necessity of space travel - The Daily Cougar - The Daily Cougar [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- Do You Have The Right Personality For Long-Term Space Travel ... - Seeker [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- Space News From SpaceDaily.Com [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- Ask Ethan: How Can I Travel Through Space Without Getting Into Trouble? - Forbes [Last Updated On: February 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 19th, 2017]
- UK bids to be world leader in Space travel by 2020 - Daily Star [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2017]
- You could fly to SPACE from the UK within three years as plans are for space port are unveiled - The Sun [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2017]
- Cosmic cinema: spurring interest in real-life space travel? - Miami Student [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- Commercial space travel could be ready as early as 2020 - New York Post [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- Know before you fly: privatized space travel - Observer Online [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- This Finnish startup democratizes space travel and it just raised over 3 million to find the next 'Slumdog ... - Business Insider Nordic [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- TRAPPIST-1: How Long Would It Take to Fly to 7-Planet System? - Space.com [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Commercial space travel WITHIN THREE YEARS on flights to launch from BRITAIN - Express.co.uk [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Katherine Johnson led African American efforts in space travel ... - Farm and Dairy [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Space travel is measured in light years, but what's a light year anyway? - MyStatesman.com [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- SpaceX supply ship completes journey to space station - Spaceflight Now [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- NASA Looking for Bright Ideas to Help With Space Travel - Tech.Co [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- The black women who pioneered space travel - Channel 24 [Last Updated On: February 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 26th, 2017]
- SpaceX's reusable rockets make space travel much cheaper - CMU The Tartan Online [Last Updated On: February 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 26th, 2017]
- The history of space travel encapsulated - Fairfaxtimes.com [Last Updated On: February 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 26th, 2017]
- Stars align for space travel at memorable Oscars ceremony - Siliconrepublic.com [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- FSU researcher to lead US-Russia project on health, space travel - Florida State News [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Watch an astrophysicist explain how NASA's next space telescope will help us time-travel through the Universe - The Verge [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2017]
- Forget SpaceX: 10 companies that will change space travel in 2017 & 2018 - Geektime [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2017]
- Safe space travel: Protecting alien worlds from earthlings - and vice versa - Deutsche Welle [Last Updated On: March 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 2nd, 2017]
- Watch: 'Black Holes' A Satirical Comedy About Space Travel From Sundance 2017 - Konbini US [Last Updated On: March 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 4th, 2017]
- Beyond Earth talking about space travel - Alaska Public Radio Network [Last Updated On: March 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 4th, 2017]
- Doctor Launches Vision Quest To Help Astronauts' Eyeballs - NPR [Last Updated On: March 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 4th, 2017]
- Colorado Likely To Benefit From Privatized Space Travel - CBS Local [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2017]
- NEC develops reliable FPGAs for space travel - Electronics Weekly - Electronics Weekly [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2017]
- SpaceX Moon Mission Won't Be Rich People's Joyride ... Says Space Travel Vet - TMZ.com [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2017]
- 4 Entrepreneurs Changing the Way We Think About Space Travel - Tech.Co [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2017]
- Harvard Scientists Theorize That Fast Radio Bursts Come From Alien Space Travel - Popular Mechanics [Last Updated On: March 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 10th, 2017]
- EDITORIAL: Exploring private space travel - Indiana Daily Student [Last Updated On: March 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 10th, 2017]
- Why Space Travel Can Be Absolutely Disgusting - Live Science [Last Updated On: March 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 10th, 2017]
- More Evidence for How a Trip to Mars Will Wreck the Human Body - Inverse [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2017]
- MIT Conference To Focus On Space Travel For The Public - CBS Boston / WBZ [Last Updated On: March 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 12th, 2017]
- The AstroRad Radiation Shield: The New Protective Vest for Deep Space - TrendinTech [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2017]