As Australia looks set to launch its own space agency, a rocket company across the ditch is about to attempt a milestone launch all of its own.
New Zealand-based Rocket Lab will on Saturday make another bid to launch its first fully commercial payload into orbit, in what it says is a major step for the industry.
Since testing began, the space company has put four satellites into orbit, and from June 23 has two weeks to get its first fully-fledged business mission - aptly named "It's Business Time" - off the ground.
Kiwi chief executive and founder Peter Beck on Friday told AAP all systems are go and the weather was looking good for an attempt on the weekend.
"This marks the beginning of commercial operations to get small satellites to orbit. It's been promised and required for a decade now," he said.
"It really does finally drop the hammer on proper, reliable and frequent access to orbit for small spacecraft."
In Mahia - on the North Island's east coast - US-owned Rocket Lab runs the world's only privately-owned launch facility and focuses on small payloads, like satellites.
Technical issues stalled the mission's first launch attempt in April.
Australia's new space agency gets to work on July 1, with a location for its headquarters to be decided towards the end of the year.
The global space economy is worth more than $US345 billion ($A454.8bn), but Australia currently only has a 0.8 per cent share.
Mr Beck said future growth in Australia, particularly with satellites, would be a boon for companies such as Rocket Lab.
"We see Australia as an emerging market for spacecraft and we actually have a presence there already," he said.
Rocket Lab's 17-metre long Electron rockets use 3D-printed engines and can carry payloads up to about 150 kilograms.
To meet a swelling 2018-19 launch manifest, the company has rapidly scaled production at its California headquarters.
It hopes to be completing a launch every two weeks next year and weekly in 2020.
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