Space
Successful touchdown for SpaceX rocket
A SpaceX Falcon rocket has blasted off from California, for the first time since a launchpad explosion in September.
Chilean telescope to be modified in search for life
A huge telescope in Chile is going to be modified so that it can look for signs of life in the Alpha Centauri star system, the system closest to us. The European Southern Observatory's Very Large… Audio
Dr Chris Acton: Hubble telescope
Dr Chris Acton will be talking the Hubble telescope. Audio
Astronaut Dan Barry answers your questions
Dan Barry is a former NASA astronaut and a veteran of three space flights, four spacewalks and two trips to the International Space Station. He retired from NASA in 2005 and started his own company… Audio
Mars lander loses contact
Scientists are uncertain whether a European Mars lander touched down safely or broke apart, after it did not behave as expected during its descent.
Nights' Science - Astronomy
Former Mt John University Observatory superintendent Alan Gilmore on Rosetta's final descent, finding Philae, and how many signs of the Zodiac there are, is it 12 or 13? Audio
The ultimate map of the universe
In 2013 Gaia, the world's most powerful space telescope, was launched by the European Space Agency. Its aim is to create the first ever HD map of our galaxy, the Milky Way, in order to answer those… Audio, Gallery
Icy moon of Jupiter shows signs of water
Further evidence that Jupiter's icy moon Europa throws jets of water out into space - raising the possibility of life beyond Earth - has been obtained. Video
China space station to fall to Earth in 2017
China's first space station is expected to fall back to Earth in the second half of 2017, amid speculation authorities have lost control of it.
Rocket, satellite lost in SpaceX-plosion
A rocket operated by aerospace company SpaceX has exploded on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral without injuring anyone. Video
'Oldest fossil' could help search for life on Mars
Researchers have discovered microbial fossils in 3.7-billion-year-old rock in Greenland, the oldest-known fossils to date.
Nights' Science - Astronomy
Former Mt John University Observatory superintendent Alan Gilmore on Juno's arrival at Jupiter. Audio
Huge asteroid helped shape 'Man in the Moon'
One of the Moon's biggest craters was created by an asteroid more than 250km across, a study suggests.
Dr Dava Newman: Humans on Mars
NASA's second in charge explains how we'll get humans to the red planet in the next 30 years - and why it's worth the trip. Dr Dava Newman is a former MIT professor who designed the Biosuit - a… Audio
Juno spacecraft to unlock Jupiter's secrets
A NASA spacecraft has successfully entered the orbit of our solar system's largest planet, Jupiter. NASA scientist Jared Espley joins Checkpoint. Audio
Juno reaches Jupiter
NASA's Juno spacecraft has arrived at Jupiter to study the solar system's largest planet. From a unique polar orbit, Juno will repeatedly dive between the planet and its intense belts of charged… Video, Audio, Gallery
Planet Hunter, Michael Albrow
Before 1995, the only planets we knew that existed, were those in our solar system. How things have changed! Audio
The most powerful space telescope ever created
Dr. Amber Straughn from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center explains how the most powerful telescope ever created will explore the mysteries of our origins and our future. Audio, Gallery
Govt to launch new rules for rockets
The government has started setting up a regulatory regime to allow rockets to be safely launched into outer space from New Zealand.
Jupiter
After a journey lasting about 5 years and 3 billion kilometres, the NASA spaceship Juno is nearing its final destination, the huge planet Jupiter. Robin McKie, the Science Editor of The Observer… Audio, Gallery