NZ researchers partnering with international space company

Published: 29 July 2022

The Innovative Partnerships team at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has signed an agreement with United States commercial space company Axiom Space Inc that will help New Zealand researchers advance world-leading space science and technology

The Memorandum of Understanding with Axiom – a United States-based space infrastructure developer - will allow New Zealand researchers to gain access to Axiom’s capabilities and experience of operating on the International Space Station.

In the future, this access will expand to Axiom’s own space station module, the Axiom Station, which is the world’s first commercial space station.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Iain Cossar, General Manager Science, Innovation, and International, and Head of the New Zealand Space Agency, and Michael Suffredini, CEO of Axiom Space Inc.

This partnership was facilitated by the Innovative Partnerships programme. The programme forms part of the Government’s efforts to raise the levels of research and development (R&D) by attracting investment into New Zealand through working with international firms and innovators. Through the programme each project will receive $90,000 to support their studies.

Read more about innovative partnerships

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