Space
What is a planetarium? with Ben Bradford
Stardome Observatory & Planetarium, next too Maungakiekie/One Tree Hill in Auckland, is a beloved public astronomy centre-featuring New Zealand's most advanced 11m digital dome theatre, hands-on… Audio
Elon Musk's SpaceX rockets keep blowing up at worst possible time
Analysis: One of his most important companies just had another setback: a SpaceX Starship rocket exploded in an immense fireball.
Midday Report Essentials for Tuesday 17 June 2025
In today's episode, the government has paused millions of dollars of funding to the Cook Islands after its government signed partnership deals with China earlier this year, Iran's Supreme Leader has… Audio
Matariki highlights the star Puanga
This weekend, Aotearoa officially celebrates Matariki for the fourth time, marked by the reappearance in the night sky of the star cluster. This year the focus is Matariki ma Puanga- highlighting the… Audio
Mysterious radio bursts help pinpoint a cosmic 'missing' matter
Now astronomers believe they could use the method to help illuminate the invisible structure of the universe.
Study highlights need to manage the growth of space exploration
Associate Professor Laura Revell spoke to Jesse about the research. Audio
A 10-fold increase in rocket launches would start harming the ozone layer
The international space industry is on a growth trajectory, but new research shows a rapid increase in rocket launches would damage the ozone layer. Several hundred rockets are launched globally...
Music with Kirsten Zemke: Songs that are out of this world
Music correspondent Kirsten Zemke looks at science fiction theme music and plays a selection of some of the biggest hits of the 20th century. Audio
Aurora: Dazzling light displays return
South Islanders are reporting sightings of the Aurora Australis in Southland and Otago.
Possible dwarf planet spotted near the edge of our solar system
A 700km-wide object, 2017 OF201, has been found orbiting far beyond Neptune. It could reshape our understanding of our solar system's edge. Audio
Rocket Lab signs $460 million deal with US missile tracking tech company
Geost develops electro-optical and infrared technology used in missile warning and tracking, surveillance and reconnaissance.
Intense solar activity behind delays for methane satellite
The group behind a taxpayer-funded methane satellite has finally revealed what is behind delays to a crucial milestone. Climate Change Correspondent Eloise Gibson spoke to Corin Dann. Audio
Taxpayer-funded climate satellite mission finally reveals what's behind delays
MethaneSAT got $29 million from the government, with the aim of growing the space industry.
US plans to expand rocket launch options 'nothing to do with' NZ Defence Force
The Defence Force says it is aware the United States wants to expand options for rocket launches, but that it has nothing to do with it.
Alien life hype 'fatally flawed' says astrobiologist
Carolyn Freissinet, who studies Martian samples collected by the Curiosity rover, said recent claims of alien life simply don't stack up - but the scientists behind the findings beg to differ. Audio
Geopolitics reshapes space race offering opportunities for countries like NZ
Analysis - The space economy is being reshaped by geopolitics which offers countries like New Zealand the opportunity to stand out in the new space race.
One man's space junk
On Sunday, the failed Soviet Cosmos 482 crashed back down to earth fifty-three years after it was launched into orbit. But this isn't the first time pieces have crashed through the atmosphere ... even… Audio
US wants to launch more satellites from NZ
The US Space Force is moving to deploy more satellites including those that would support America's nuclear command-control-and-communications system. Audio
US military in talks to launch more satellites from NZ
The US military is holding talks with New Zealand about launching more satellites from here. Phil Pennington reports. Audio
