Space
Soviet-era spacecraft due to crash back to Earth
The spacecraft failed to reach Venus and has been lost in space for more than 50 years, but could crash back to Earth on 10 May.
NZ behind most comparable countries on space spend
The government has invested 20 times less per head than the US, and only about half the UK's per capita spend.
Morning Report Essentials for Thursday 8 May 2025
In today's episode, smoke has billowed out of the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel, and it is black showing no Pope has been chosen, dozens of Indian and Pakistani civilians have been killed after… Audio
Meteor shower visible in NZ skies
A meteor shower, which is actually a brightly burning trail of space debris left behind by Halleys Comet, will be visible in our skies over the next few days. Stardome astronomer Josh Aoraki spoke to… Audio
Meraki 2: NZ's first amateur rocket to reach space
An amateur rocket, Meraki 2, launched from the grounds of Canterbury reaching space earlier in April. Its voyage marks many firsts including the first amateur rocket in the country to reach… Audio
Govt takes action against attacks on ground-based space operations
This follows spy agency warnings that unnamed foreign actors have tried to interfere in local infrastructure in the past five years.
Space weather: Graham Leonard
Space weather isn't watercooler conversation but it's out there! Audio
The Auckland Uni nuclear physicist unlocking secrets of the
Auckland University nuclear physicist David Krofcheck is recognised for his work on the world's greatest science experiment Audio
The 'atom smasher' of Auckland University
University of Auckland nuclear physicist David Krofcheck is recognised for his work on the world's greatest science experiment
China plans to build nuclear power plant on moon's surface
The world's second largest economy is aiming to become a major space power by 2030.
Digital billboard given final sign off despite dark sky park concerns
A design tweak has been approved for the billboard, which is expected to be erected by October, but a dark sky proponent is not pleased.
NASA's oldest active astronaut returns to Earth on 70th birthday
NASA's oldest serving astronaut Don Pettit became a septuagenarian while hurtling towards the Earth in a spacecraft to wrap up a seven-month mission aboard the International Space Station.
Exoplanet discovery: exciting, but too early to say aliens - NZ physicist
Astronomers have just uncovered fascinating signs we may not be alone in the universe. RNZ talks with an astrophysicist about what exactly the discovery tells us, and why it is unusual. Audio
Scientists detect signature of life on a distant planet
K2-18b, located 124 light-years from Earth, could be a Hycean world: a potentially habitable planet entirely covered in liquid water with a hydrogen-rich atmosphere.
Have we found life on another planet?
A team from the University of Cambridge says they've detected molecules in the atmosphere of a distant exoplanet that, here on Earth, are only produced by living organisms like marine algae. Audio
Watch: NASA launches giant balloon from Wānaka Airport
The balloon was the size of a rugby stadium.
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
