New Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has signed an agreement with Airbus to collaborate on the development of New Zealand’s capability in the UAS and space data technology sectors.

Enabled through MBIE’s Innovative Partnerships program, the Letter of Intent “sets out a commitment to seek opportunities for Airbus to test and trial its UA technologies in New Zealand, and to work together to support the development and adoption of new and innovative space data technologies and applications,” according to MBIE.

Additionally, Airbus has committed to work with MBIE to deliver a series of innovation challenges in New Zealand that utilize UAS and space data technologies. The challenges will seek to generate technologies applicable for “real public or private problems, be a catalyst for stimulating innovation and increase New Zealand’s R&D capabilities in these areas.”

According to MBIE, Airbus is already building strong connections within New Zealand’s innovation and space ecosystems. One of these connections includes a recent agreement that establishes the Centre of Space Science Technology in Alexandra as the primary provider of Airbus satellite data and products in New Zealand.