The space agencies of the International Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG) have welcomed the New Zealand Space Agency as the latest member of ISECG. As of now, the membership of ISECG comprises 27 organisations.
“We are pleased to welcome our new member from New Zealand. ISECG has continued to grow substantially over the last years. Space agencies consider the work of ISECG important to globally advance space exploration while supporting their own national priorities. We look forward to work with our new colleagues from New Zealand”, said Dr. Christian Lange, Director, Space Exploration Planning, Coordination and Advanced Concepts at the Canadian Space Agency, who is the current Chair of the ISECG.
ISECG serves as the forum where space agencies work together on means of strengthening exploration programs and facilitating collaborations. It also supports promoting interest and engagement in space exploration activities throughout society. Amongst other products ISECG issues the Global Exploration Roadmap, which presents a shared international vision for human and robotic space exploration and is based on the coordinated programmes, initiatives and goals of the ISECG agencies. “The accession of several new organisations in recent years demonstrates the willingness of agencies to engage in focused international strategic exchange and coordination, and to build new strategic partnerships for advancing the implementation of the Global Exploration Strategy”, said Dr. Lange.
Mr Paul Stocks, Head of the New Zealand Space Agency, expressed the agency’s enthusiasm to join the ISECG. “Established in 2016 as the lead New Zealand government agency for space policy, regulation and development of New Zealand’s innovative space sector, the New Zealand Space Agency is very pleased to join the ISECG to engage with both established and emerging space agencies in this new era of space exploration. New Zealand offers a unique proposition to the global space community. The development of our space sector is commercially-led, we have an equally innovative and forward-thinking science and space research community, and a regulatory framework designed to enable innovation in space technology and science while ensuring the safe, sustainable and responsible use of space. We look forward to engaging with our partner agencies as a member of ISECG, to explore opportunities and collaborations for New Zealand to contribute to coordinated international space exploration.”
More information about the New Zealand Space Agency can be found at https://www.mbie.govt.nz/science-and-technology/space/