Space
MethaneSAT mission lead on satellite likely lost in space
MethaneSAT, a satellite designed to monitor methane emissions from space, has been unresponsive since 20 June. Environmental Defense Fund chief scientist and MethaneSAT mission lead Dr Steven Hamburg… Audio
Space Agency on satellite likely lost in space
MethaneSAT has been missing in space since 20 June, according to MBIE. New Zealand Space Agency deputy head Andrew Johnson spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio
Taxpayer funded satellite likely lost in space
A satellite, MethaneSAT, that taxpayers gave almost $30 million toward has gone silent. University of Auckland physics professor Richard Easther spoke to Corin Dann. Audio
Multi-million-dollar MethaneSAT 'likely not recoverable'
Professor Richard Easther from the University of Auckland joins Emile Donovan to reflect on the news that New Zealand's methane-tracking satellite, launched in March 2024, has lost contact with the… Audio
SpaceX debris trashes Mexican beach, home to endangered turtles
Rockets are scattering melted plastic and metal across turtle nesting sites, says conservation group Conibio.
Taxpayer funded satellite likely lost in space
A methane-tracking satellite that recieved $29 million of funding from the government is lost in space. RNZ's climate change correspondent Eloise Gibson spoke to Charlotte Cook. Audio
Part of Canterbury's airspace permanently allocated for test flights
From 7 August, six areas will be permanently designated for aviation companies to test tech.
First images from the largest camera ever built reveal millions of galaxies
Rubin Observatory is expected to uncover millions of the space rocks within its first two years. Audio
Morning Report Essentials for Tuesday 24 June 2025
In today's episode, Iran's military has carried out what it calls "devastating and powerful" retaliatory missile attacks on US airbases in Qatar and Iraq, Labour says the government should be… Audio
First images from world's biggest camera released
The first images are out from the biggest camera in the world pointing into the universe. The "Vera C. Rubin" Observatory is in Chile, more than 2,500 metres above sea level. Auckland University… Audio
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
