New Zealanders are being assured there are tight controls in place for any rocket cargo launched from New Zealand for foreign military or defence clients.
Rocket Lab's next launch is for a American military agency, responsible for US intelligence satellites.
Each launch requires ministerial sign-off but some payloads are banned under the law - for example any carrying nuclear weapons or weapons of mass destruction.
But the Greens say there are serious risks for New Zealand and the law should be tougher.
As Economic Development Minister, Phil Twyford signs off on the authorisations.
He told our political editor Jane Patterson the space industry's growing fast, but there's a robust approval system in place.
