Sending rockets from Oamaru into space
Reusable rockets could be taking off from the Otago town of Oamaru and heading into space later this year.
Representatives of New Zealand-based startup Dawn Aerospace have signed an agreement with the Waitaki District Council to launch test flights of unmanned rocketpropelled space planes from Oamaru Airport.
Dawn Aerospace co-founder James Powell said the site was chosen because of its stable weather, supportive local government and community, and proximity to the company’s base in Christchurch.
The company would not build hangars or workshops at the airport immediately, but that could happen later – ‘‘depending on how it goes.’’ The company is also considering other potential operational bases.
According to publicity material, Dawn Aerospace plans to revolutionise the aerospace industry by using greener satellite fuels, reusable vehicles that do not add to space debris, and creating lighter rockets that are less expensive to launch.
Powell said talks were under way with potential customers involved in scientific research.
Waitaki mayor Gary Kircher said it was an exciting time for the district. ‘‘This project will see us extend our view from our early Ma¯ori and Victorian era roots through to the space age.’’
Dawn Aerospace was one of six companies to receive $500,000 in research funding from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment in November. The funds will be used to develop environmentally friendly, high performance satellite propulsion systems to replace toxic hydrazine.
In December 2018, Stuff reported Dawn Aerospace had raised $3.35 million to send satellites into space using reusable rockets. The rockets are designed to be reusable and capable of multiple flights per day.
Crown entity Callaghan Innovation also provided a $150,000 grant to the company for testing and developing the Mk-I Spaceplane.