New Zealand as a orbit launch site?

Forums › Off topic › New Zealand as a orbit launch site?

solival

160 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 20

#175614 6-Jul-2015 10:07

Looks like NZ company is going to launch rockets to orbit every week.
Also promises to do that for 5% of current average launch cost.

How do you think is it possible or just a scam?

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/69859442/rocket-lab-eyes-birdlings-flat-canterbury-as-launch-site

Geek originally from Ukraine :)

1 | 2

30048 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 9455

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1337667 6-Jul-2015 10:22

Why would someone make such a scam? It's hardly rocket science.... :-) Seriously though, it's a common activity in this day and age, putting gear into orbit. They were on the news, showing the rockets. Very cool, as I can ride my M/Bike for a peek

Re the cost, the rockets are small, light, carbon fibre, and being a kiwi venture there isn't a vast realm of bods, corps, land, buildings in the mix.

Analogy, I could build a little car in my double garage more or less, I wouldn't need a 50 acre factory with all the cost and overheads that go with it.

SaltyNZ

8862 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 9539

Trusted

2degrees

Lifetime subscriber

#1337673 6-Jul-2015 10:28

I think they're serious, but there are a couple of important points: their rockets are small. They will make orbit, but they're not going to be sending a schoolbus to Pluto. They launch small satellites - smaller than your washing machine. NZ is a good place for a polar orbit. As it happens, the likes of Google etc. want to make satellite internet a real thing - small, cheap satellites in low polar orbits can easily cover the globe with quite high capacity and low latency. A cloud of polar orbiting satellites is like a flying cellular network, compared to geosynchronous orbit's single broadcast antenna on the Sky Tower.

So Rocket Lab's launcher, assuming they manage it, will be a good fit for that. But NZ will never be a good place to launch geosynchronous satellites, or anything that needs to be in a plane close to the equator or the ecliptic. That doesn't mean Rocket Labs couldn't develop a big launcher for that too, but if they did, it wouldn't launch from New Zealand.

iPad Pro 11" + iPhone 15 Pro Max + 2degrees 4tw!

These comments are my own and do not represent the opinions of 2degrees.

toyonut

1508 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 211

#1337675 6-Jul-2015 10:29

Not a scam, it has been getting a lot of press lately. They have developed a lightweight rocket using a new fuel type that promises to deliver payloads cheaper than existing options. Lots of big names are interested and will be watching closely to see how it progresses.

Try Vultr using this link and get us both some credit:

http://www.vultr.com/?ref=7033587-3B

DizzyD

523 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 151
Inactive user

#1337678 6-Jul-2015 10:35

Awesome idea, but the greens will never allow it in this country

wasabi2k

2102 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 860

#1337688 6-Jul-2015 10:46

DizzyD: Awesome idea, but the greens will never allow it in this country

I saw the soundbite about it harming native species - any idea what their actual issue is?

tdgeek

30048 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 9455

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1337691 6-Jul-2015 10:47

DizzyD: Awesome idea, but the greens will never allow it in this country

I like the Greens, but geez, they are now like standard politicians, they are programmed to disagree on everything. If they could fight the good fight in a sensible and informed manner rather than 100% disagree on everything, maybe they would get serious traction as meaningful oartners in a Govt.

But back to topic. I'd assume a small operation that can stay small would be very cost competitive.

Mighty Ape

Shop now at Mighty Ape (affiliate link).

old3eyes

9158 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1364

Subscriber

#1337693 6-Jul-2015 10:49

wasabi2k:
DizzyD: Awesome idea, but the greens will never allow it in this country

I saw the soundbite about it harming native species - any idea what their actual issue is?

Some lizard I think..

Regards,

Old3eyes

tdgeek

30048 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 9455

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1337695 6-Jul-2015 10:51

wasabi2k:
DizzyD: Awesome idea, but the greens will never allow it in this country

I saw the soundbite about it harming native species - any idea what their actual issue is?

Noise was one, harming the local environment, although I recall the sea life was a biggie. Noise is loud, but for seconds on a launch. I am sure the impact could be managed very well, its not a 50 acre factory they want, they want a launch site

Benefits are jobs, local townships prosper, kudos to NZ in the industry. Not a lot to dislike.

nathan

5695 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1630
Inactive user

#1337707 6-Jul-2015 11:07

Fossil fuels are the enemy. They want solar powered mag lifts

Oblivian

7345 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2117

ID Verified

#1337713 6-Jul-2015 11:10

Won't someone think of the EELs!!!!

The lakes are water fowl prominent, (not so safe haven for ducks during hun'n season) etc.

But can you imagine the throwback when they realise its near an already controversial yet legitimate site. :) http://www.phys.canterbury.ac.nz/research/birdlings.shtml
https://goo.gl/maps/mbnNf

It isn't uncommn launching out there. They often do, have set a few records too.

Fred99

13684 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 10018

#1337717 6-Jul-2015 11:15

Gotta love the greens.
Years ago my wife and I camped in a reserve near Cape Kennedy/Canaveral while we waited to watch a shuttle launch up the road. Camped next to a lagoon, where every evening dolphins would come in to round up fish, manatee floating by, bald eagles and other birdlife plentiful in that area. There's even a wildlife reserve for protected / endangered species (Merritt Island) right next to the base.
NASA probably ended up doing local wildlife a great favour putting the base there.

Lenovo

Shop now for Lenovo laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

gzt

18679 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 7809

Lifetime subscriber

#1337751 6-Jul-2015 12:18

I dont see the issue. The conservation concerns are legitimate and Rocketlab is working to address those concerns.

frankv

5705 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3666

Lifetime subscriber

#1337786 6-Jul-2015 12:33

The rocket launch site has to be (somewhat) far from people, so it must by definition be a (relatively) natural area. So ecological issues are to be expected.

JWR

821 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 272

#1337923 6-Jul-2015 15:02

gzt: I dont see the issue. The conservation concerns are legitimate and Rocketlab is working to address those concerns.

Exactly.

I really do hope it goes ahead. I like anything to do with rockets and space and never thought I might be able to witness an orbital rocket launch within a reasonable distance of my home.

The comments from Eugenie Sage (Green Party) were probably just off the cuff comments from a reporter inquiry. I am pretty sure the Green party doesn't have a policy on rocket launching in NZ.

As a Cantabrian, I can tell you the Green Party is the least of Christchurch's development problems.

Almost everything down here is run from Wellington e.g. Ecan, CERA, EQC etc..

Rikkitic

Awrrr
19062 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 16302

Lifetime subscriber

#1337964 6-Jul-2015 15:40

I have also voted for the Greens but I would not consider membership. The comments came across like a knee-jerk ecology good technology bad response and it is this attitude that keeps me at a distance. I can't stand this mentality that immediately clamps onto the downside of everything new or different rather than looking for ways to work with change. It is too late to turn the whole planet into a locked zoo. I support a lot of Green policies but not this pinch-faced rejection of everything that is not solar powered. Endangered species have a place and deserve to be protected. So do innovative ideas. Why not look together for a way to keep the lizards happy AND launch rockets?

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

1 | 2