Rocket Launch in New Zealand Brings Quick, Cheap Space Access

Post by incompatible » Sun, Nov 11, 2018, 8:53 PM UTC

timClicks wrote: post #128

incompatible wrote: post #122

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I left NZ decades ago due to lack of software opportunities. I'd be tempted to return, but getting a "first job" in NZ would be a problem if I returned, I think, given that I'm aged over 50 and haven't worked for years. P.S. Avoid Wellington if possible, it's an earthquake mega-disaster waiting to happen.

New Zealand's software industry is significantly more mature than it was 2+ decades ago. Multiple firms with several hundred developers building their own products rather than just government consulting. Getting hired is hard, but not impossible. The unemployment rate is sub 4% these days. If you're concerned about your employability, perhaps email Xero/Vend/Flux Federation/Catalyst IT/Intergen/Datacom/Trade Me/Weta…

Post by toephu2 » Sun, Nov 11, 2018, 8:55 PM UTC

JaggedNZ wrote: post #112

unknown_apostle wrote: post #95

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So same question: why did you go away, or how did you loose your work visa? For me it's a cool job in Auckland. What worries us is the distance and the logistics of bringing over our entire family... I can see myself working there, bringing over the family, and then loosing my job e.g. because of some recession and not find another job in the grace period.

If you are in IT then I would not worry to much about the job issue to much past the first job, there is still plenty of demand for skilled IT workers despite the record net migration of the last few years. However, make sure you are comfortable with housing prices / rent, particularly in the Auckland area.

Post by trainingaccount » Sun, Nov 11, 2018, 8:59 PM UTC

neaanopri wrote: post #90

2trill2spill wrote: post #52

My favorite thing about Rocket Lab is the rocket engine they use[1]. By replacing the turbopump with a electric motor they were able to remove one of the single most complicated and expensive parts of a rocket engine. As battery densities keep increasing we should see electrically fed engines being used on bigger and bigger rockets. [1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rutherford_(rocket_engine)

Electric turbopumps are an answer to the question: "how small can you make a commercially viable orbital rocket?" Atmospheric drag effects rocket performance less and less the larger a rocket gets (square-cube law), so that a rocket like the Space Shuttle can effectively ignore the atmosphere. Conversely, the smaller a rocket gets, the harder and harder launch gets. This is the problem Rocket Lab has decided to attac…

Post by djrobstep » Sun, Nov 11, 2018, 9:10 PM UTC

unknown_apostle wrote: post #89

peatmoss wrote: post #2

The years I spent in New Zealand painted a vivid picture of a society of doers. I think there’s something to the idea that this comes in part from being a landmass the size of Colorado, with not much more than 4 million people, with the freedom and requirements to maintain the infrastructure of being a sovereign nation. Seeing a NZ rocket launch condures an image of a small group of doers dreaming big. Way to go NZ!

So why did you leave? (Asking because I have an opportunity to move there.)

Post by masklinn » Sun, Nov 11, 2018, 9:12 PM UTC

gcb0 wrote: post #121

Solarsail wrote: post #104

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The word hypergolic doesn't mean that, but in spaceflight the term refers to a fairly specific group of compounds; Dinitrogen tetroxide and unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine or monomethylhydrazine (UDMH / MMH).

mmh+nto is the only thing still being used in the west outside of missiles. even spacex use it for module maneuver. I think. not even sure why I know that. but china probably use the lesser hypergolic combinations for actuall lift off.