Welcome aboard the Mars Blueberry, New Zealand’s only fully immersive, portable astrobiology dome!
Run by Milky-Way.Kiwi Ltd, through our education platform Spaceward Bound NZ, the Mars Blueberry is a unique hands-on experience that brings space science, Mars exploration, and big questions directly to your school, event, or festival.
What Is the Mars Blueberry?
It’s big. It’s blue. It’s round. It looks like a blueberry from space—and inside, you’ll discover entire worlds.
The Mars Blueberry is our inflatable planetarium dome designed to fire up imaginations. Inside, tamariki become astronauts-in-training as they journey through space, explore Mars, learn about the origin of life, and investigate whether we’re alone in the universe.
We’ve packed the dome with real science, interactivity, and inspiring stories from people who’ve worked directly with NASA and JPL.
Meet the Instructors
Our sessions are hosted by real space scientists:
- Hari (Haritina Mogoșanu) – Astrobiologist, Mars researcher and stargazer.
- Sam Leske – Astrophysicist, stargazer and telescope expert.
We’ve taken the Blueberry to about 200 schools and events across Aotearoa (as of June 2025) and welcomed over 38,000 visitors through its inflatable airlock. Whether in a school hall, a library, or a festival tent, it’s always a hit.
For Schools, Events & Holiday Programmes
The Mars Blueberry is perfect for:
- School visits – tailored to different year levels and curriculum links
- Festivals and public events – like the Greytown Winter Festival, MOTAT and Matariki celebrations
- STEM festivals and museums – where the wow factor matters
We’re based in Wairarapa, but we travel across the country with the dome. We bring everything we need. All we ask for is a flat indoor space and curious minds.
What You’ll Experience
Each visit is a guided journey through:
- The night sky – constellations, Matariki, planets, and more
- Mars – its geology, rovers, and future human missions
- Astrobiology – how life began and where else it might exist
- Your questions – anything goes in our live Q&A!
Our sessions combine visuals, storytelling, and science to spark curiosity and build science confidence in students and visitors of all ages.
Book the Blueberry
Want to bring the Mars Blueberry to your school or event?
Check our availability and rates at spacewardbound.nz or contact us
Milky-Way.Kiwi Ltd is a space education company based in Wairarapa. We operate the Mars Blueberry, Star Safari (our stargazing experience), and Spaceward Bound NZ—bringing real space science to Aotearoa New Zealand.
