New Zealand becomes 11th country to launch into space

California-based aerospace manufacturer, Rocket Lab launched an unmanned Electron rocket from Mahia Peninsula in New Zealand on Sunday. This makes NZ the 11th country to launch successfully into space. 

Only the second test flight for Rocket Lab, the rocket was given the quirky name "Still Testing" but managed to deliver a fully functional deployment of four small satellites for Planet and Spire, becoming the first successful orbital mission for Rocket Lab and the Electron launch vehicle.

Rocket Lab was founded in 2006 by New Zealander, Peter Beck, a New Zealander. Beck called the achievement the “beginning of a new era in commercial access to space”, adding that the company's goal is to "deliver on what we said many years ago, that we’re here to open up space for business.”

One small step closer to commercial space flight for man?