The business plan for the Centre for Space Science Technology is being re-evaluated and "cubesats'' might not be built by the research facility, it has been announced.
The man behind the CSST proposal, Greg Bodeker, has declined to comment on the changes, saying he no longer has any association with CSST and its primary spokesman is now chief executive Steve Cotter.
But early proponents of CSST are philosophical about the news and say any changes may be the reality of turning the CSST concept into a working model.
Alexandra-based CSST announced in a statement yesterday a new partnership with Spire Global Inc, "a leading space-to-cloud data analytics company''.
CSST was planning to use Spire's Automatic Identification System (AIS) data, collected from Spire's constellation of satellites, the statement said.
CSST director of operations, Rafael Kargren said CSST was "very excited'' to partner with Spire and promote the "innovative technology'' and satellite data across New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.
CSST would use the AIS data in a wide range of areas, including fishing, fleet monitoring and control, vessel tracking and collision avoidance, maritime security, cargo tracking, search and rescue operations and accident investigation, Mr Kargren said.
CSST's original business plan, which secured $14.7million of government funding in late 2016, proposed CSST would build its own cubesats, which would be the first New Zealand-built satellites.
CSST also proposed to establish an international satellite data exchange, and use the space-based measurements and satellite imagery to benefit regional industries in areas such as irrigation and agriculture, snow and ice, oceans and atmosphere, regional planning and hazard management, data telemetry and forestry.
When asked if the partnership with Spire meant CSST might not build its own satellites, Mr Cotter said it was "more economical and a better use of taxpayer funding'' to partner with existing providers, rather than duplicate what was already available.
He said "a lot has changed'' in the space industry since CSST's proposal was submitted.
"Taking the changes into consideration, we are re-evaluating the business plan. To give an example, in the nine years leading up to the submission of the CSST proposal, only 181 Earth observation satellites were launched worldwide, in total. Last year alone, more than 230 were launched.
"So the market landscape has changed dramatically in only a few years. That said, we are constantly assessing our needs and those of New Zealand's regional industries. So, if we determine there is a data need that isn't being met by the commercial satellite providers, we would definitely consider building our own and launching it,'' Mr Cotter said.
"But at this point, we feel it would be more economical and a better use of taxpayer funding to partner with existing providers rather than duplicating what is already readily available.''
Two early stakeholders in the CSST proposal were philosophical about the changes.
Gary Kelliher, who was a member of the CSST steering group, said it was "sad'' New Zealand might not now build its own satellites.
"One of the exciting things about the project was that they would be New Zealand's own first satellites in space ... But if it's in the best interests of the project [to partner with another company] and still provide the services then maybe it's a positive move ... those tasked with making the CSST concept happen are far closer to things than we [steering group] were.''
Central Otago District Council economic development manager Warwick Hawker, who supported the CSST steering group through his council role, said if CSST did not end up building satellites it would "not be cause for concern''.
"I know there has been work on the [CSST] business plan and it's undergone modifications, but that's probably not unexpected with the new board and chief executive and management ... the cubesats were not a fundamental part of the [original] plan.''
No comment from MBIE was available yesterday but a spokesman said they would issue a statement today about changes to CSST's business plan.
