Spying on Earth: Rocket Lab’s payloads get more and more interesting

from thespinoff

The launch of satellites for private companies that sell data to spy agencies raises fresh concerns about New Zealand’s fledgling space industry, Ollie Neas writes. 

A satellite on board Rocket Lab’s most recent mission will collect data for US spy agencies, among other customers.

The satellite belongs to US private intelligence company BlackSky and raises “residual national interest risks”, the New Zealand Space Agency says. However these risks weren’t considered serious enough to decline approval for the launch.

This mission appears to be the first time the Space Agency has raised national interest concerns about the launch of a rocket payload from New Zealand.

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https://thespinoff.co.nz/business/01-08-2019/spying-on-earth-rocket-labs-payloads-get-more-and-more-interesting/?fbclid=IwAR2D7RxwWUvPBvGbDPxFetqnphVra4ZuQBTh9qfb3AE_xiQAaqogGWXFmIM

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