New Zealand To Launch First Private Space Rocket

RobGoldsmith sends in a Space Fellowship piece (which seems to be a press release) about New Zealand's entry into the space age. "Private New Zealand aerospace company Rocket Lab completed its final ground-based test today and is now ready to launch New Zealand into the space race with its Atea-1 launch vehicle. The first high-altitude launch of Atea-1 is scheduled for the end of November this year. Once Atea-1 has successfully concluded the development phase it will be the first privately built rocket launched from the Southern Hemisphere to enter space. The article features a new CGI movie on the launch."

And more!

[Anonymous Coward]

Not only have they almost launched a rocket, but they have apparently made it almost to 1985 CGI technology!

Maybe not the first private rocket

[SgtChaireBourne]

I recall from an interview from the tv program 'Real People' with a fellow who had built a passenger rocket out of spare government parts. It was a torpedo-like tube with a very small window. There was passenger space for a lean person and a parachute.

I don't recall if it had been test fired. It was also unclear how high it would go. What I do remember well was when the builder was asked if he would fly in it, the answer was along the lines of "hell no".

Bad idea?

[Anonymous Coward]

But they are on the bottom of the planet - won't they be firing the wrong way?

Those New Zealanders...

[Chuq]

Let them into the World Cup and next thing you know they think they can join the space race!

Launched as

[kevingolding2001]

Rocket: Oh Noo, Oh Noo, I'm launched Broo. I'm launched es.
Satellite: Hey Broo, Hey Broo, what are you doing broo?
Rocket: Dude, I'm launched es.
Satellite: Ah Haw Shit. Your launched es!
Rocket: Tell me something I doo'nt noo.
Satellite:.... Broo, you're heaps launched es!
Rocket: Soo launched. Launched es.

You forgot...

[turing_m]

...velcro gloves.

Re:Bad idea?

[Fred_A]

But they are on the bottom of the planet - won't they be firing the wrong way?

Of course not, it's a huge advantage, they just have to drop the rocket. They'll save loads of fuel.

Re:Rocket Lab to launch...

[Anonymous Coward]

You forgot Colin McKenzie, "the first and greatest innovator of modern cinema" as it says in wikipedia. He invented among other things sound and color film.

Richard Pearse, the inventor of powered aircraft should also be noted.

Re:Launched as

[AGMW]

Unfortunately they've re-used existing Kiwi tech, so rather than a capsule to hold the pilot they just attach him to the bottom of the rocket with a bungee cord.
The rocket should get about half-way before the cord is tight enough to lift the pilot which has an added benefit, safety-wise, as any problems during the launch and they can just cut the cord!

Re:Maybe not the first private rocket

[elrous0]

If Andy Griffith could build the Salvage-1 [wikipedia.org], then anyone could do it.

Flight of the Conchords, indeed

[elrous0]

We should have never given these people the technology to make movies. They've progressed in only one generation from filmmaking to building rockets. Who knows what shenanigans they may be capable of in the next generation.