Russian cosmonaut Gennady Padalka - who has spent more time in space than anyone else - has returned safely to Earth.

Auckland-based Rocket Lab has released details of prices and the online booking system for carrying "nanosatellites" into space.

New Zealand has secured 10 new air service deals allowing links with countries ranging from Bahrain in the Middle East to Curacao in the Caribbean.

Rocket Lab has attracted new financial backing from one of the United States' oldest venture capital firms and aerospace giant Lockheed Martin to put it on course.

New Zealand is keeping a close watch on an initiative that will allow planes to be more easily found if they disappear like Malaysia Airlines Flight 370.

Former director of Florida’s Kennedy Space Centre Jim Kennedy spent almost 40 years with Nasa. The retiree now travels, speaking on leadership.

It IS rocket science - and Auckland-based Rocket Lab has about 35 jobs to fill as it shoots for it s first flight at the end of the year.

Kiwis on waiting lists for commercial space flights remain determined would-be astronauts, although one admits to losing some confidence in Virgin Galactic's programme.

Rocket taking cargo to ISS as part of US$1.9bn project exploded after lift-off – and the whole frightening scene was captured on video.

26 passengers, about to embark on a zero gravity journey aboard a Boeing 727 plunging and soaring in 3660m arcs over the North Atlantic.

Above us, our nearest, potentially habitable planet is being explored by three spacecraft in its orbit and two on its surface.

A Kiwi believes she has what it takes to spend a year on "Mars" - although any close encounters won't be with cute aliens but curious polar bears.

British billionaire Richard Branson said his Virgin Galactic venture is on track to carry its first fare-paying passenger to the edge of space this year.

World-famous astronaut Chris Hadfield says the place on earth he would most like to visit after his space odyssey is Marlborough.

Space thriller Gravity has been hailed as "the best space film ever", a movie that is one giant leap for Hollywood.

Japan successfully launched a new rocket Saturday that it hopes will be a cheaper and more efficient way of sending satellites into space.

Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, NASA's Thomas Marshburn and Russian cosmonaut Roman Romanenko are returning to Earth after five months aboard the International Space Station.

Three weeks before the ceremony and the [Olympic Stadium] was packed with thousands of people all doing things impressively.

A team of former Nasa executives is launching a private venture to send people to the moon for a price that is definitely out of this world.

Europe is preparing plans to join the United States in building a manned spaceship that would take men and women to the Moon and beyond.

Economy-class passengers sitting in the back of the plane are more likely to survive a crash, says a new study - but the crash is just the first horror that awaits you.

A small team of Kiwi scientists has landed a stellar role in the Dragon space craft's flight to the ISS.