When you think of leaders in the space sector, big hitters like NASA and private companies like SpaceX spring to mind.

But since the very beginning of the Space Age, Australia has played a role in the space flight industry.

And this year, an Australian company tried to launch a rocket from Australian soil.

So why is Australia building and launching rockets at all, especially when so many nations are already miles ahead?

You can binge more episodes of the Lab Notes podcast with science journalist and presenter Belinda Smith on the ABC Listen app (Australia). You'll find episodes on animal behaviour, human health, space exploration and so much more.

As The Science Show celebrates 50 years, we remember John Clarke’s contributions to early Science Shows and point to a film just released looking at John’s life, produced by his daughter Lorin.

Reactions in birds’ eyes where proteins respond to the Earth’s magnetic field may provide information for birds in flight.

Author Zoe Kean explores humans’ place in the web of life uncovering evolutionary mysteries which carry the potential to offer humans a better life.

Report presents simple solutions to reduce food waste in hospitals and aged care facilities.

One in four Australians get hay fever, and as the planet warms, our seasonal sneezes and sniffles are tipped to get much, much worse. 

Every now and again, dozens or even hundreds of perfectly healthy looking whales strand themselves on a beach. Scientists have a few theories on why they do this. 

There are many examples in nature where sneaky behaviour wins over size, brutishness, or the best display. Other reproductive behaviours as seen in some spiders include self-sacrifice.

Anthropologist Anna-Zoë Herr explores how hope is not just a feeling, but a practice that helps us stay connected to what matters in uncertain times.

Sara Russell explains the latest theory of how complex molecules were formed in the outer reaches of the Solar System and made their way to planets in the inner Solar System including Earth.