The scoping study looked at the potential for tourism based around the launches, which are expected to occur on a monthly basis once operations commence in early 2017. The rockets can be used to launch satellites into space and to collect data on the earthโs vegetation cover, polar ice flows and other climatic features. The Mahia Peninsular site will be able to offer more frequent and much cheaper launches than care currently available.
The study sought to determine whether or not people would want to travel to the East Coast to see the rocket launches and learn more about the project and its world leading technology; and if so, what services and facilities might be required and what the region could do to take advantage of this tourism opportunity.