Space
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
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
