The cosmic-local nexus: intersections between outer space and rural communities

Abstract

ABSTRACTHumankind is increasingly able to travel into outer space. Launch costs have decreased; launch frequencies have increased. These changes are primarily occurring due to private companies becoming heavily involved in space-related activities. Prior discussions of humankind's growing influence beyond the biosphere have begun elucidating the species-wide benefits and issues that are concomitant with the development of outer space. Yet, spacecraft are developed at and launched from specific geographic locations, and there is little research regarding how local communities are intertwined with the commercialisation of the cosmos. The present study is motivated by the need to extend the global-local nexus, thereby moving beyond a global perspective of tourism development. This paper develops the concept of a cosmic-local nexus by examining the context of the Māhia Peninsula, a rural area of Aotearoa New Zealand where Rocket Lab, a private company that manufactures rockets and launches small satellites, has situated its primary launch facility. The cosmic-local nexus is particularly salient in this milieu due to the region's strong Māori ties, the hope that the launch site will contribute to regional tourism development, and the fact that the United States military is one of Rocket Lab's primary customers.