NZ enters the space age

Commercial rockets will be launched from New Zealand late next year if a couple of businessmen get their way.
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Speaking in Auckland today Rocket Lab Ltd said they would begin firing 5.5 metre tall carbon fibre rockets into space in September next year.

The rockets, named Atea, or "space", are expected to carry scientific payloads into sub-orbit.

They will also be available to launch human ashes into space - for a fee.

The company is the inspiration of Peter Beck and Christchurch internet entrepreneur Mark Rocket - who changed his named by deed poll.

"I believe New Zealand has a golden opportunity to be a space industry leader in the Southern Hemisphere," Mr Rocket said at an Auckland unveiling today.

Economic Development Minister Trevor Mallard told the gathering that when he first heard about the proposal he thought some one might be fooling him.

But he hailed the vision and said he was pleased New Zealanders were "reaching for the sky".

Mr Rocket would not say where they would be launching their rockets from, but an animation suggested it would be off the south eastern coast of the South Island.

- © Fairfax NZ News