ZB ZB
Opinion
Live now
Start time
Playing for
End time
Listen live
Listen to NAME OF STATION
Up next
Listen live on
ZB

Take-off for NZ's first Govt funded space mission

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Tue, 5 Mar 2024, 10:24am
Artist’s rendering of MethaneSAT, the satellite EDF developed. Photo / Environmental Defence Fund
Artist’s rendering of MethaneSAT, the satellite EDF developed. Photo / Environmental Defence Fund

Take-off for NZ's first Govt funded space mission

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Tue, 5 Mar 2024, 10:24am

The first-ever government-funded space mission is scheduled for take-off this morning. 

The American-New Zealand mission will see the MethaneSAT satellite launched into space to study global emissions from agriculture and measure methane leaks from oil and gas production. 

Auckland University Spacecraft Mission Operations Director Chris Jackson says the ultimate goal is to drive down global warming effects from methane sources. 

He says methane is a very potent greenhouse gas, more so than carbon dioxide, so stopping it leaking can have a reversing effect. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Take your Radio, Podcasts and Music with you