Christian Raaflaub

Expertise: science, music. Initials: raf

Radio, TV and online journalist. 

Ubersitz, the utterly unique – and deafening – Swiss custom

This content was published on Dec 21, 2024 At the end of the year the villages around Meiringen pump up the volume and bizarre characters celebrate the ancient tradition of Ubersitz.

How a Swiss musician is lending a hand to people in Ukraine

This content was published on Dec 18, 2024 Originally travelling to Ukraine because of the Maidan protests, Bänz Margot has been setting up an aid organisation there since the beginning of the Russian invasion.

Smoke billows after an Israeli air strike on Dahieh, a southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, 16 October 2024. According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, more than 2,350 people have been killed and over 10,906 have been injured in Lebanon since the start of hostilities. The Israeli Army said that the strikes early on 16 October targeted Hezbollah facilities in Beirut's southern suburb

Swiss expat describes the ‘total uncertainty’ of life in Lebanon

This content was published on Oct 25, 2024 A Swiss woman in Lebanon describes life amid the tense ongoing situation and fighting between Israel and the militant group Hezbollah.

Lift off! Swiss students build next-gen reusable rockets

This content was published on Oct 10, 2024 Rocket-building used to be the sole preserve of space-faring nations like the United States or Russia. Now many other players are getting involved from private companies to young researchers, even from Switzerland.

Swiss students drive rocket research forward

This content was published on Sep 27, 2024 Swiss students are propelling the future of space travel with innovative reusable rocket technology, putting Switzerland on the map in the global space race.

Biodiversity initiative: Reactions to the rejection

This content was published on Sep 22, 2024 Our reporters, Zeno Zoccatelli and Christian Raaflaub, have been speaking to both the initiative committee and the group opposing the referendum.

Why do two Swiss researchers want to find ice on comets?

This content was published on Jul 24, 2024 Using a new type of instrument, two astrophysicists from the University of Bern are hoping to get a bit closer to unravelling the mystery of the origins of the solar system.

The small robot aiming to explore volcanic tunnels on the moon

This content was published on May 7, 2024 In the not-too-distant future, a hopping Swiss-developed robot could be bound for the moon to pave the way for future missions.

Swarm of Swiss robots could take part in future space missions

This content was published on May 7, 2024 Researchers in Zurich propose using a swarm of small robots instead of a heavy rover for future space missions.

Moon robots learn to walk – in Zurich

This content was published on Apr 13, 2024 Scientists in Switzerland are developing robots that will one day explore the Moon or Mars.

The ethics of artificial intelligence

The challenges are immense for Switzerland, which is one of the leading developers of artificial intelligence (AI).

Grasende Wisente der Herde in Welschenrohr

Will a project to reintroduce European bison into Swiss forests work?

This content was published on Nov 4, 2023 The bison was extinct in Europe. Now it is to be reintroduced to Switzerland. Can the densely populated country tolerate such a large wild animal?

Bison in the Swiss forest: the reintroduction of a wild cattle breed

This content was published on Sep 17, 2023 Nach 1920 galt der Wisent in Europa als ausgerottet. Im Kanton Solothurn wird nun mit seiner Wiederansiedlung in der Natur experimentiert.

Junge Frau und Künstliche Intelligenz (Bild wurde von einer KI generiert)

Where does Switzerland stand on regulating AI?

This content was published on Jul 9, 2023 The European Union and the Council of Europe are currently drawing up a set of rules. What about Switzerland?

Clear ‘yes’ to the climate change law

This content was published on Jun 18, 2023

Nausea-free VR: how far has research progressed?

This content was published on Jun 9, 2023 Many people get sick when they put on their glasses to move around in the virtual world. Researchers in Switzerland are working on solutions.

Cybersickness in virtual reality: why does it happen and how can it be treated?

This content was published on Jun 6, 2023 Many users get nauseous when using virtual reality devices. For the metaverse to succeed, tech companies need to fix this problem.

The disruptive technologies heading our way

This content was published on Jun 3, 2023 What’s looming – or shining – on the horizon of science? We asked experts at a recent event at the University of Zurich.

Marco Sieber in an astronaut training suit in front of a 1:1 model of an ISS module. The Swiss flag prominently on his shoulder

Swiss astronaut: ‘Money for space travel is an investment’

This content was published on May 18, 2023 Marco Sieber is the second Swiss astronaut after Claude Nicollier. We met him at the ESA training centre in Cologne, Germany.

Swiss astronaut: ‘Money for space travel is an investment’

This content was published on May 11, 2023 22'000 people have applied to the ESA astronaut programme in 2022. Marco Sieber is one of the five who were selected.