New Zealand's Leap Forward

SGGP June 4, 2023 09:20

The rollout of the national space policy provides a clearer picture of New Zealand's determination and drive to develop this area of science .

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New Zealand has launched its national space policy, a major milestone in the rapid development of New Zealand's space sector in recent years, as the country becomes an increasingly attractive location for space launches, space technology manufacturing, and space science research.

According to New Zealand Economic Development Minister Barbara Edmonds, the implementation of the national space policy provides a clearer picture of New Zealand's determination and motivation to develop this field of science. The policy has set out key values in the goal of space development including management capacity, innovation, responsibility and partnership, and affirmed that focusing on these values will create the premise for the government's new commitments, policies and strategies on space. The policy also outlined the New Zealand Government's goals to develop an innovative and inclusive space sector, protect and promote the country's economic and security interests...

Experts say New Zealand’s focus on national space policy reflects the growing geopolitical risks associated with space and the urgency to work with like-minded partners to protect the country’s national security. Although New Zealand’s space industry is smaller than many other major powers, it is highly developed and has great potential. As of August 2022, the country’s space industry is estimated to be worth about $1.7 billion.

In September 2022, the New Zealand Government announced plans to develop an aerospace strategy to turn the space industry into a "spearhead" industry of the country.

The announcement comes three weeks after New Zealand and the US signed a space cooperation framework agreement to create growth opportunities for New Zealand's space sector and promote connections with the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

New Zealand is now the 11th signatory to the Artemis Accords, a blueprint for space cooperation that will support NASA's plans to return humans to the Moon by 2024 and launch a historic mission to Mars.

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