Awarua Satellite Ground Station Photo: Supplied
The government is backing Southland's the space industry - and a company set up indirectly by local councils. Southland's Space Operations New Zealand - or SpaceOps - is receiving a loan of up to $2.25 million to help with development.
It was the brainchild of the economic development agency of Southland councils made up of Invercargill City Council, Southland District Council, Gore District Council, and Environment Southland.
SpaceOps describes it's Awarua Satellite Ground Station, outside of Invercargill, as an important location for supporting low orbiting satellites and says Southland is ideally located for antennas given its proximity to the South Pole, flat land with excellent horizon sightlines and lack of radio interference.
But how did local authorities get involved in the space industry?
Kathryn speaks to Steve Canny who is in charge of Strategic Projects at Great South and was a driving force behind the space venture and Robin McNeil who is SpaceOps CEO.
