Space
India’s space ambitions brighten with success of maiden solar mission
The mission marks the latest success for the space exploration ambitions of the world's most populous nation.
Neptune and Uranus seen in true colours in new images
Our ideas of the colours of the planets Neptune and Uranus have been wrong, research led by UK astronomers reveals.
Nasa mission lines up to 'touch the Sun'
"We are basically almost landing on a star," says one of the mission's scientists. "This is equivalent to the Moon landing of 1969."
US military secret spaceplane launches into space
The US military's secretive X-37B robot spaceplane blasted off from Florida on Thursday night on its seventh mission.
Best images from James Webb Telescope as it turns two
From galaxies to stars to planets, the world's largest and most powerful telescope has captured the allure of outer space in vibrant colours.
‘Star Wars meteorite’ sheds light on the early Solar System
How a meteorite shower is changing how we view the solar system - and became a key inspiration for 'Star Wars'
US asks NZ for more money to fund military satellites
The weapons race in space is heating up and the bills are going up, including for us.
New Zealand is in a group the US has asked to stump up more money for military satellites.
Phil Pennington spoke… Audio
Space race puts pressure on New Zealand Defence Force
New Zealand is in a group of allies the US has asked to stump up more money for military satellites.
2017: Hugh McCarroll
In 2017, long-time inventor and astronomy enthusiast Hugh McCarroll was named one of 15 finalists in a global competition designed by NASA. The idea was to crowdsource ideas for how to collect human… Audio
Astronomy with Alan Gilmore
Former Superintendent of the Mt John Observatory above Lake Tekapo in the Mackenzie Country, Alan Gilmore joins us for his regular astronomy chat. Tonight, he's talking about the meteor shower earlier… Audio
Meteor shower set to be visible tonight
A rare spectacle is set to appear in the sky tonight in the form of a meteor shower.
A meteor shower is expected to be visible on Tuesday between 8pm and 12.30am as Earth passes through the debris… Audio
Rocket Lab aims to launch new mission next week
New Zealand company Rocket Lab is doing a dress rehearsal later today for its latest satellite mission.
Watch the skies - Spectacular meteor shower over Aotearoa next week
While meteor showers are not uncommon, Tuesday night's event promises to be unique. Audio
Is there anybody out there?
If there is life on other planets, what might it look like, and would they even bother coming to Earth? Audio
Eight new hats for Judith Collins
Spies, space and science form just part of the new domain for battle-hardened politician Judith Collins. Audio
Elon Musk's second Starship test launch 'success'
Listen in for the sound of the launch of SpaceX's Starship and the so-called rapid unscheduled disassembly of the booster yesterday.
It was the second test launch of the rocket.
The Starship made it… Audio
Plasma rockets in space
Claire Concannon meets GERALDINE, the Gigantic and Extremely Radical Atmosphere-Lacking Device for Interesting and Novel Experimentation. Plus, a team of scientists and engineers designing plasma… Audio
Our Changing World – Superconducting magnets and plasma rockets
A New Zealand team of scientists and engineers are preparing to test their brand-new superconducting magnet and flux pump design on the International Space Station in 2025. Could this Kiwi tech make… Audio
James Webb telescope: Baby star launches giant jets and shocks
Imagine you could go back in time 4.6 billion years and take a picture of our Sun just as it was being born. What would it look like?
Long Read: The MethaneSAT saga
By Eloise Gibson: How did New Zealand come to invest $29 million in a Bezos-backed methane satellite space plan? Audio