Rocket Lab s launch of the Electron Rocket at the Mahia Peninsula goes smoothly. The satellite project is being part-funded by the New Zealand Government and run by the non-profit U.S. Environmental Defense Fund, among others. University of Auckland will take over operations from Rocket Lab after about a year, and will host the control centre at its central Auckland campus.
Rocket Lab founder and chief executive Peter Beck said he had suggested the idea of New Zealand’s involvement with the satellite to the Government, after he heard about the proposed mission through international collaborators. Beck said, despite that initial discussion, Rocket Lab had to bid at arm’s-length to develop and operate the mission control. “We suggested [New Zealand’s involvement], but the Government took it from there.”