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Rocket Lab launches NASA satellite headed for the moon

June 29, 2022

The lunar launch is the first on New Zealand soil. (Source: Breakfast)

Kiwi-founded aerospace company Rocket Lab has successfully launched a NASA satellite headed to the moon.

The first ever lunar launch on New Zealand soil happened at Mahia Peninsula at 9.55pm on Tuesday.

The "microwave-oven-sized satellite", CAPSTONE, was "designed to test a new orbit around the moon for NASA", Rocket Lab said in a media release.

Founder Peter Beck described it as an "important step in humanity's return to the moon".

The mission is Rocket Lab's 27th Electron launch, and the first launch of NASA's Artemis program.

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A partial solar eclipse seen in May 2025 from the Czech Republic

Rare partial solar eclipse to greet New Zealand at dawn on Monday

Kiwis will see between 60% of the sun covered in Auckland and up to 72% in Invercargill, with the eclipse visible nationwide at sunrise — weather permitting.

7:13am

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Rainy weather (file image).

Heavy rain, severe gales to impact South Island, lower North

MetService has issued multiple orange warnings for heavy rain and strong winds, with weather watches also in place across several regions.

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Growers said more overseas competition entered the sector after Cyclone Gabrielle.

Multiple Hawke's Bay peach growers cut loose as Wattie's scales back

Some growers have partly blamed the move on foreign competitors, who entered the market following Cyclone Gabrielle.

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Hawke's Bay Regional Prison.

Police investigate prisoner's 'unexplained' death at Hawke's Bay prison

A man died in custody at Hawke's Bay Regional Prison on Sunday.

Mon, Sep 15

1:33

Kaea Karauria, was murdered in May.

Two more youths charged with Napier murder of Kaea Karauria

"Police are not ruling out further arrests and are continuing to investigate the tragic death," Detective Inspector Dave De Lange said.

Fri, Sep 12

1:31

Hawke’s Bay Adventure NZ 4X4 Club members, from left, Sarah, Kaue, Milly, and club founder George Christieson.

Young offroaders remove almost 400 tyres from riverbank

"We don’t dump rubbish - it’s stupid and beyond a joke. So we decided to do something about it."

Fri, Sep 12

1:31

Growers said more overseas competition entered the sector after Cyclone Gabrielle.

Multiple Hawke's Bay peach growers cut loose as Wattie's scales back

Some growers have partly blamed the move on foreign competitors, who entered the market following Cyclone Gabrielle.

Tue, Sep 16

2:37

Hawke's Bay Regional Prison.

Police investigate prisoner's 'unexplained' death at Hawke's Bay prison

A man died in custody at Hawke's Bay Regional Prison on Sunday.

Mon, Sep 15

1:33

Kaea Karauria, was murdered in May.

Two more youths charged with Napier murder of Kaea Karauria

"Police are not ruling out further arrests and are continuing to investigate the tragic death," Detective Inspector Dave De Lange said.

Fri, Sep 12

1:31

Hawke’s Bay Adventure NZ 4X4 Club members, from left, Sarah, Kaue, Milly, and club founder George Christieson.

Young offroaders remove almost 400 tyres from riverbank

"We don’t dump rubbish - it’s stupid and beyond a joke. So we decided to do something about it."

Fri, Sep 12

1:31

A partial solar eclipse seen in May 2025 from the Czech Republic

Rare partial solar eclipse to greet New Zealand at dawn on Monday

Kiwis will see between 60% of the sun covered in Auckland and up to 72% in Invercargill, with the eclipse visible nationwide at sunrise — weather permitting.

7:13am

1:29

Rainy weather (file image).

Heavy rain, severe gales to impact South Island, lower North

MetService has issued multiple orange warnings for heavy rain and strong winds, with weather watches also in place across several regions.

Tue, Sep 16

1:30

Growers said more overseas competition entered the sector after Cyclone Gabrielle.

Multiple Hawke's Bay peach growers cut loose as Wattie's scales back

Some growers have partly blamed the move on foreign competitors, who entered the market following Cyclone Gabrielle.

Tue, Sep 16

2:37

Hawke's Bay Regional Prison.

Police investigate prisoner's 'unexplained' death at Hawke's Bay prison

A man died in custody at Hawke's Bay Regional Prison on Sunday.

Mon, Sep 15

1:33

Kaea Karauria, was murdered in May.

Two more youths charged with Napier murder of Kaea Karauria

"Police are not ruling out further arrests and are continuing to investigate the tragic death," Detective Inspector Dave De Lange said.

Fri, Sep 12

1:31

Hawke’s Bay Adventure NZ 4X4 Club members, from left, Sarah, Kaue, Milly, and club founder George Christieson.

Young offroaders remove almost 400 tyres from riverbank

"We don’t dump rubbish - it’s stupid and beyond a joke. So we decided to do something about it."

Fri, Sep 12

1:31

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