NZDF payload on rocket launched in US

RNZ picture

The New Zealand Defence Force is unable to confirm or deny it intends to send a military payload into space from Rocket Lab’s Māhia spaceport.

This is after the NZDF last week revealed it had launched its first ever payload into orbit on board a Rocket Lab vehicle launched from the United States.

The Gisborne Herald queried why the launch (named Korimako) took place from the US.

“The launch was entirely funded by the United States and the US chose the launch provider,” an NZDF spokesperson told The Herald.

“The payload sends out a standard, repeating test sequence on communication channels in response to commands sent through the host satellite’s telemetry, tracking and command link.”

The spokesperson confirmed there was one more planned payload launch as part of this research activity, due by the end of the year, “but we can’t comment on the launch details or provider at this stage”.

The US satellite hosting the payload is about the size of a briefcase and is orbiting the earth every 90 minutes about 515 kilometres above the ground, which means it cannot be seen with the naked eye.

“A team of scientists from the NZDF’s Defence Science and Technology (DST) will monitor and interact with Korimako via our Whangaparaoa ground station, north of Auckland.

“Initial tests indicate that Korimako survived the launch and is operating as expected,” an NZDF media statement said following the launch.

“Our research aims to build practical experience in space science and technology, test processes for New Zealand Government space operations and generate knowledge to enable future NZDF and wider government space development.”

The payload was launched on the same mission that also deployed a research satellite for the US spy agency the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).

Rocket Lab previously launched four NRO missions from Launch Complex 1 at Māhia — two in 2020 and two in 2022.

Last year the company opened a second launch facility in the US specifically for launches comprising US government payloads.

Two pieces of legislation, New Zealand’s first National Security Strategy (NSS) and the National Space Policy, also allow military payloads to be launched from New Zealand.

The NSS, like the space policy, reiterated that all payloads launched from New Zealand must comply with the Outer Space and High-altitude Activities Act 2017 and all other New Zealand legislation, including the New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone, Disarmament and Arms Control Act 1987.