Post #2055731
2026-03-19 01:41 UTC
@lightweight
It's not quite that bleak, yet, IMO but:
* They do still launch here
* At last check, they did still have their main (?) factory + development centre here (Akl)
* They started with a NZ founder who is still nominally the boss / heavily involved (*)
So, in my books, it's still enough to somewhat claim some links to the country to claim them as "our" entry in the space race, even if the USA component is increasing + share market evils are increasingly dictate how this stuff runs
(*) On that matter, for quite a few years, he walked around with dark circles around his eyes - possibly from having to always get up early to hold meetings during US daytime
Replies (1)
-
@lightweight@mastodon.nzoss.nz 2026-03-19 01:43
@aligorith given that Beck made a solemn promise to the kaumatua of Mahia Peninsula that their site wouldn't be used to launch military stuff as condition for their approval of his use of the site, seems like he's betrayed their trust, a long time ago. And I don't think much of the company's ownership is still in NZ. Doesn't feel very kiwi to me.