| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Auckland, New Zealand |
| Key people |
Peter Beck, CEO homepage = Official website |
Rocket Lab Ltd. is a New Zealand firm that designs and fabricates sounding rockets and propulsion systems.
The first launch of the Ātea-1 (Māori for 'space') suborbital sounding rocket was scheduled for late 2009. The 6m long rocket weighing 60 kg is designed to carry a 2 kg payload to an altitude of 120 km.[1] It is intended to carry scientific payloads or possibly personal items.[2][3]
Atea-1 was successfully launched from Great Mercury Island near Coromandel on November 30, 2009 at 2:30pm after fueling problems delayed the scheduled 7.10am liftoff.[4]
A larger Ātea-2 series rocket is reported to be under development.[5]
Some funding has been obtained from the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology. Former Crown Research scientist Peter Beck is founder, CEO and Technical Director.