7074 (2026). Teanau Tuiono to the Minister for Space

Written Question

Published date: 13 Mar 2026

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	7074 (2026)
Question asked:	01 Mar 2026
Member asking:	Teanau Tuiono
Portfolio:	Minister for Space
Minister replying:	Hon Judith Collins
Answer received:	09 Mar 2026
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_07074_2026
Document guid:	04a9277d-961d-40cf-be03-14045172dc44

7074 (2026). Teanau Tuiono to the Minister for Space: Further to WPQ 57397 What is the Ministers understanding, if at all, of what “nominal operations” are as described in an email to from MethaneSAT's to RNZ in October 2024?

Hon Judith Collins: My understanding is that nominal operations refers to performance of systems within a reasonable margin of what is intended. What comprises a reasonable margin is necessarily a matter of professional judgement – in this case the judgement rested with the mission owner, MethaneSAT LLC, which had responsibility for public communication on the mission status.