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OPINION: When humanity took its first steps on the moon 50 years ago, the technological advances that propelled the landing also had a significant impact on Earth-related industries.
In Space 3.0, "conquering the last frontier" is no longer the primary mission, but advances in space technologies will eventually transform the technology used in all organizations, in all sectors.
Leaving aside the cold factor, why should we be concerned that in two years New Zealand could launch more rockets in space than any other country in the world?
NASA
Buzz Aldrin on the Moon in July 1969. Today, the "space race" focuses on advances that will transform the technology used in every organization, in every sector.
These rockets are the showcase of a fast-growing global industry in which this country can and should have a growing interest.
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Putting objects in space is important work. Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), for example, is a crucial new technology that allows satellites to collect incredibly detailed data from the Earth through clouds (think of the country of the long white cloud). It's already on the agenda for the University of Auckland and the National. Scientific challenge.
ISS / NASA
Sunglint on New Zealand in 2015, photographed from the International Space Station. New Zealand is well placed to take a growing share in the space technology industry.
Although rockets make the headlines, the most underestimated opportunities in space technologies lie in the wealth of data now available in space and in the development of "enabling" technologies: data collection software, guidance, propulsion and measurement equipment in orbit and allow it to perform functions more and more precise and fast.
As these spatial data merge with ground-based sensor data, we will see solutions that will change the game from fish stock monitoring to water quality to search and rescue. Emergency or disaster management.
In New Zealand, spatial data are already being used to accurately measure forest cover, down to individual trees, with the potential to help monitor and prevent the spread of the disease.
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Jonathan Miller: "New Zealand companies have a unique opportunity to integrate innovation in a field considered up to then as out of our reach …"
Other applications of this Internet of alien objects include: monitoring of geothermal activity, measurement of the snow depth for better management of hydroelectric resources, improvement measurement and management of water quality, optimization of shipping lanes, monitoring of land use for better planning of resources and the city, measurement soil quality for precision farming and improving weather forecasts.
The scope of these opportunities is spreading slowly in the corporate and government sectors. Overall, there has been more venture capital investment in space over the last two years compared to the previous 15 years, and we have witnessed the advent of the first capital fund. risk of space technology to the world, Seraphim Capital.
"We believe that the wave of ongoing innovation in SpaceTech could still become a tsunami," Seraphim said. "At the moment, this tsunami may appear as a point on the horizon. Over the next few years, we expect the momentum to continue, and when this tsunami really starts, it will trigger a wave of disruption that will be deeply felt far beyond the $ 350 billion space sector. "
PROVIDED
From here two years, New Zealand could launch more rockets in space than any other country in the world.
Here in New Zealand, the University of Auckland has set up the Auckland Space Systems Program, which plans to become a space systems institute connecting academics and industry.
MBIE has launched its own space agency in New Zealand and the Center for Space Science Technology is collecting Earth Observation data for use by companies and industry. Callaghan Innovation now funds doctoral scholarships for students who gain experience in aerospace projects with Rocket Lab.
The list of other institutions embarking aboard the spacecraft includes, among others, the Canterbury University with the UC Rocketry Project, information on the lands of New Zealand, Landcare, GNS and Niwa.
But even though our scientists are exploring technological advances with great effort, almost everyone still lacks the true breadth of business and innovation opportunities.
The characteristic feature of the race to modern space is really democratization. While space was once the preserve of global players such as NASA and the Russians, followed by China and the European Space Agency, anyone who could reunite a few hundred thousand Capital dollars can create a space technology company in their garage. For the first time, small businesses can enter the space sector at a niche level.
It is a breathtaking change of scale. Space technology has never been cheaper, smaller, faster and less risky, making it a fertile ground for investors and startups.
At present, New Zealand companies have a unique opportunity to stimulate innovation in a field that we previously thought was beyond our reach and will continue to grow in the near future.
* Jonathan Miller is responsible for future prospects at Callaghan Innovation.
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