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September 17, 2025
Hēki mission launched “that sucker is on its way”
Waatea Team
Posted On September 17, 2025
Download Audio“That sucker is on its way to the International Space Station” Dr Shane Reti
On 15 September 2025, a significant milestone in New Zealand’s space exploration efforts was achieved with the successful launch of the Hēki mission, a superconducting space propulsion experiment developed in Lower Hutt. The experiment was carried aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, marking a historic moment for New Zealand’s burgeoning space industry. According to Victoria University: The Hēki Mission is an ambitious test of a superconducting magnet and power supply in space. The Kōkako thruster-named after the New Zealand native bird-is an electric propulsion system that exhausts plasma to generate thrust.
Two key components are central to this system:
- the plasma “rocket” creates and expels plasma to produce thrust
- the superconducting magnet accelerates the plasma to increase efficiency.
The superconducting magnet’s unique property of having zero electrical resistance allows it to generate extremely strong magnetic fields with minimal power consumption-a significant advantage in space where power is limited.
These are crucial components for the ground-based Kōkako thruster, an advanced propulsion system.
The Hēki payload, developed by the Robinson Research Institute in collaboration with Victoria University of Wellington, features a high-temperature superconducting magnet designed for use in electric propulsion systems. This technology aims to provide more efficient and sustainable alternatives to traditional chemical rocket propulsion. The experiment is now attached to the International Space Station (ISS), where it will undergo testing to assess its performance in the microgravity environment.
In Lower Hutt, a crowd of scientists and engineers gathered at a Victoria University facility to witness the launch via live feed. The event was attended by Dr Shane Reti, Minister for Science, Innovation, and Technology, who expressed pride in the achievement and emphasized the importance of such initiatives in advancing New Zealand’s capabilities in science and technology.
The successful launch of the Hēki mission underscores New Zealand’s growing involvement in space research and development, positioning the country as a contributor to innovative propulsion technologies with potential applications in both commercial and scientific domains.
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