Te Pūnaha Ātea
Space Institute
The Space Institute – Te Pūnaha Ātea – is a multidisciplinary centre of expertise in space science and engineering, including a capability to execute space missions and develop applications. Our institutional mission is to create, disseminate and exploit knowledge to support and enhance the development of the New Zealand Space Sector.
We carry out applied research in space science, engineering, and applications of space data, as well as run educational activities that shape the next generation of scientists and engineers.
We work with national and international establishments, industrial partners and academic institutions, operating in an ecosystem that thrives thanks to the complementary nature of our activities. Working from original ideas, to modelling, to proof of concept (Manufacture, Assembly, Integration and Test), to in-orbit demonstrations, we apply research findings to develop engineering solutions that support the growth of new and existing enterprises.
Through our strategic partnerships, we have direct access to space that enables in-orbit demonstrations of technologies, and we are developing a multifunctional mission control capability to operate satellites and payloads, transforming raw data into useful information.
Our seamless end-to-end capability gives our students an exceptional learning experience, which, enhanced by our close partnerships with industry, puts them in a privileged position to meet the employment demands of a growing international aerospace sector.
Research
News
News on TPA-1 Mission
The TPA-1 CubeSat mission from University of Auckland’s Te Pūnaha Ātea – Space Institute (TPA-SI), serves as a technology demonstration and a validation of in-house processes and infrastructure for mission development, delivery and operations. It is the first of a planned series of missions aimed at building capacity for future, application-led missions and demonstrates our…
NZ’s first 3U CubeSat, TPA-1 ships to Netherlands
The team at the Space Institute have worked incredibly hard to assemble and integrate TPA-1, the first kiwi made 3U cubesat. The TPA-1 satellite has 3 payloads: a drag sail for deorbiting, a deployable boom aka “the selfie stick” and Earth Observation cameras.TPA-1 was packaged and shipped to the Netherlands today, where it will be…
Te Pūnaha Ātea – Space Institute team at the New Zealand Aerospace Summit 2024
Te Pūnaha Ātea – Space Institute attended the New Zealand Aerospace Summit in Christchurch on the 23rd and 24th September.The team had the pleasure of attending focus sessions on regulatory and certification of new space technologies, listening to startups and their experiences in the aerospace industry and the latest academic research and development.On the second…