New rules for space launches in New Zealand

New rules for space launches in New Zealand

New Zealand is poised to enter the space and rocket industry, setting itself up to become an international launch site for sending objects into outer space.

Public submissions are now open on the Outer Space and High-altitude Activities Bill, which seeks to facilitate the development of a space industry in New Zealand and ensure its safe operation. The bill would establish a legal and regulatory framework to govern space launches and high altitude activities from New Zealand, through:

• The introduction of a licensing regime for space launches, launch facilities, and payloads (eg satellites), and a legal framework to regulate high-altitude activities originating from New Zealand.

• The creation of new penalties for things such as launching an object into space without permission and/or intentionally failing to comply with launch permit conditions.

• The ability to create regulations in the future to ensure New Zealand’s laws around things like the classification of what is or is not a launch vehicle, payload, high-altitude vehicle, or launch facility are up-to-date without requiring a new law to be passed.

The bill, if passed, would also implement certain international obligations New Zealand has, including the Technology Safeguards Agreement (TSA) with the United States. The TSA allows the transfer, use, and secure management of United States rocket technology to and in New Zealand.

Tell the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee what you think

Send your submission on the bill by midnight on Thursday 1 December.

For more details about the bill, visit the Parliament website:

• Read the full content of the bill

• Get more details about the bill

• What’s been said in Parliament about the bill?

ENDS

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