Technology

Kea Aerospace first to test fly over Project Tāwhaki land

Henry Burrell
Mon, 11 Oct 2021

The Kea Atmos craft will fly 20km above Earth. (Image: Kea Aerospace)

Henry Burrell
Mon, 11 Oct 2021

Kea Aerospace has become the first company to start test flights on the Kaitōrete Spit as part of the government’s new Project Tāwhaki aerospace initiative. Christchurch company Kea flew its first test there on Sept 20 with small prototype aircraft to test autonomous flight capability, solar power, and communications according to chief executive Mark Rocket.“We're also looking at doing stratospheric balloon flights to test the hardware in that environment, and then we’ll also be merging the technologies together the n...

Unlock all stories
free for 10 days

Trustworthy, balanced journalism every day from our growing team of New Zealand business reporters and commentators, plus more in our weekend magazine section, The Life.

Instant News Alerts based on keywords you choose or journalists you follow
Our Daily Digest of all stories at 6am, midday or 6pm
Comprehensive business and markets coverage
News vie email, web and Apple/Android apps

Try for 10 days without paying and if you’re not convinced cancel with just two clicks.

Find out more

Subscribe now

Name

E-Mail Address

Password

Confirm Password

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Cardholder's Name

Card

You will be charged in 10 days unless you cancel beforehand. We will remind you three times before charging you.
All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service {{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Or Subscribe with Google

Not convinced yet?

Subscribe to our Daily News Update free newsletter.

Opinion FREE

UK trade deal reverses an ugly history

Tim Groser | Fri, 22 Oct 2021

The free trade deal announced on Thursday puts to bed half a century of troubled and tortured negotiations.

Technology

Scott Technology’s record result leans on meat and mining

Henry Burrell | Fri, 22 Oct 2021

The robotics firm’s strong global presence has been bolstered by a new deal with a white goods giant.

Retail

Small businesses in 'hard out survival mode'

Oliver Lewis | Fri, 22 Oct 2021

An economist is warning NZ businesses are entering the highest risk period for failures.

Kea Aerospace first to test fly over Project Tāwhaki land

Subscribe now

Or Subscribe with Google

Not convinced yet?

Your company has a subscription

Team