Space
Katy Perry is heading to space, but what does that mean?
And what exactly makes an astronaut?
Webb telescope captures planet's death plunge into star
The James Webb Space Telescope has captured a planet's death plunge into a star caused by the gradual erosion of the alien world's orbit.
National aerospace centre in talks to build launch pad
Any launchpad would be for small test rockets initially, and take several years to scale up to the real thing. Audio
National aerospace centre pursuing local companies to build launch pad
The national aerospace centre is pursuing two local companies interested in building rocket launchpads. Phil Pennington reports. Audio
NASA back in Wānaka for test flights of stadium-sized balloons
NASA is back in Wānaka for test flights of its stadium-sized, super pressure balloons. Mission manager with NASA's Balloon Program Office Christy Hales spoke to Corin Dann. Audio
Access to space systems 'critical on the modern battlefield'
The Defence Minister has outlined an unprecedented half a billion dollars for space operations, as part of a new high-tech military push. Audio
Massive NASA balloons to lift off in Wānaka
Each of the 'super pressure balloons' is roughly the size of a rugby stadium.
Inside a Christchurch factory building the next generation of space travel
Dawn Aerospace builds space planes and propulsion systems out of their Christchurch workshop. Their next goal is two trips to space, every day.
Aotearoa start-up aims to take space transport to new heights
Dawn Aerospace builds space planes and propulsion systems out of their Christchurch workshop. Their next goal is two trips to space, every day. Audio
Aerospace Centre puts forth business case to government
The National Aerospace Centre that has struggled to get customers has sent its new business case to officials.
Time for Collins to reveal what's wrong with troubled satellite, Greens say
Judith Collins says details of the methane-hunting, government-funded satellite's troubles are confidential.
Rocket Lab nets major Pentagon contract
Rocket Lab, which launches from Hawke's Bay and the US, has won into a significant Pentagon contract, which includes billions to spread around.
Feature interview: the true story of the atomic spaceship
Mars by 1965, Saturn by 1970. This was the motto of a group of eminent scientists in the 1950's who had an audacious plan for space travel riding atomic explosions. Physicist Freeman Dyson was part of… Audio
Oxygen detected in the most distant galaxy ever found
The presence of oxygen suggests that galaxies formed more quickly than expected in the early days of the universe.
The extreme physical toll of nine months in space
Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore are back the earth, but their bodies and minds may never catch up.
The physical toll of nine months on the ISS
Swollen faces, struggling to walk and a loss of vision are just some of the effects of a prolonged trip to space, but scientists say the health of astronauts can help people back on Earth. Audio
Midday Report Essentials for Wednesday 19 March 2025
In today's episode, the liquidator of school lunch provider Libelle says one of the failed company's biggest problems was scaling up too fast, new data shows New Zealand rents have increased 25… Audio
Who's responsible when space missions go wrong?
The stranded astronauts' return has raised difficult questions about space missions and what happens if they don't go to plan.
What does space do to the human body?
With the two NASA astronauts finally coming home after nine months in space, Nights speaks to Dr Brian Russell, a former NASA researcher and expert on human physical performance in space. Audio
Stuck astronauts prepare for homecoming after nine-month mission
The mission was initially expected to last eight days.
