New national space policy won't hinder military rocket payloads

New national space policy won't hinder military rocket payloads
(Image: Rocket Lab)
Greg Hurrell
The government will not put any blanket ban on permitting payloads with military applications, because it would be inconsistent with New Zealand’s interests.Instead, its newly released National Space Policy formalises the government's existing practice of looking at military payload launches on a case-by-case basis.The new policy says the government can decline any payload if its intended use is inconsistent with the national interest.A May 31 cabinet paper noted that NZ had already launched payloads – via Rocket Lab – wit...

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