22.03.2022

Rocket Lab has reiterated its long-standing promise not to launch weapons after New Zealand signed an international agreement committed to the “responsible military use of space”.

New Zealand, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States last month ratified the Combined Space Operations Vision 2031.

The aims of the joint agreement are to “prevent conflicts” and present a shared desire “to accelerate and improve our ability to conduct combined military space operations, as responsible space actors, in order to maintain security and prevent escalation in space and on Earth”.

It will also “enable combined space operations by sharing information across multiple classification levels . . . throughout the spectrum of military operations.”

The agreement also commits to the “defence and protection of our national interests and the space domain”.

“This may include collaboration across a range of measures, such as developing requirements for current and future systems to counter hostile space activities and to deter, deny, or defeat attacks or interference with the space enterprise.”

The Gisborne Herald asked the New Zealand Space Agency if the wording of the vision statement opened the door to possible weapons being put into space from New Zealand and if the Rocket Lab space port at Mahia had been involved in the CSpO agreement.

Responding in a joint statement, the MOD and NZ Space Agency said Rocket Lab's Mahia launch facility had not been the subject of CSpO discussions.

“All payloads launched from New Zealand need to comply with the requirements of the Outer Space and High-altitude Activities Act 2017.

“The Act requires that that space activity is safe, consistent with our international obligations, does not contribute to orbital debris and is not contrary to New Zealand's national interest and national security.

“The following payload types are not permitted because the Government has determined they are not in New Zealand's national interest or because they breach New Zealand and international laws —

■ Payloads that contribute to nuclear weapons programmes or capabilities

■ Payloads with the intended end use of harming, interfering with, or destroying other spacecraft, or space systems on Earth.

■ Payloads with the intended end use of supporting or enabling specific defence, security or intelligence operations that are contrary to government policy.

■ Payloads where the intended end use is likely to cause serious or irreversible harm to the environment.

“Defence's participation reinforces New Zealand's approach to space, focused on the promotion and encouragement of the development of responsible behaviours in space and the peaceful use and exploration of space.”

Rocket Lab confirmed it had not been involved in the creation or discussion of CSpO.

“Rocket Lab will not launch weapons,” Rocket Lab communications director Morgan Bailey told The Herald.

“This has been our commitment since day one and it remains true today.

“The Combined Space Operations Vision 2031 is about highlighting internationally shared commitments to responsible behaviours in space, including maintaining critical infrastructure that enables daily life, such as communications, weather, and navigation, and it specifically aims to prevent conflict and support the peaceful use of space.

“Rocket Lab is not involved in the creation of CSpO as it is a government-level international partnership, but we are supportive of its intent.”

Quelle: The Gisborne Herald