So it turns out Rocket Lab is linked to the CIA and works for US military agencies. Here are the key takeaways from my article for @thespinofftv:
1. Rocket Lab is part funded by Lockheed Martin, the world’s largest weapons manufacturer, and has worked for US defence agencies since at least 2010.
2. Rocket Lab also has ties to the CIA. At least in 2016 Rocket Lab was a portfolio company of In-Q-Tel - the venture capital firm founded by the CIA which invests in companies of interest to the US intelligence community.
3. Rocket Lab defence work has included developing tech with expressly military applications - one plastic material was even approved for use on Patriot Missiles.
4. A recent contract appears to require Rocket Lab to launch a classified satellite for DARPA - a Pentagon research agency. It is not clear what this satellite is for or where it will be launched from.
5. Rocket Lab is engaged with the US Department of Defense around plans to enhance US defence capabilities in space - which rely on leveraging commercial activity.
6. These connections have barely featured in public discussion around NZ’s new space regime - the only part that Rocket Lab publicises in any way is Lockheed Martin’s investment.
7. Despite all this, ACC invested in Rocket Lab last week - even though it is prohibited from investing in Lockheed directly.
8. Absent better explanation, these connections are hard to square with Rocket Lab’s commitment to improving life on earth.
And here’s the 2016 story from @theintercept that first noted In-Q-Tel’s investment in Rocket Lab, which the whole of NZ miraculously missed: theintercept.com/2016/04/14/in-…
