Elizabeth Howell
Elizabeth Howell (she/her), Ph.D., is a staff writer in the spaceflight channel since 2022 covering diversity, education and gaming as well. She was contributing writer for Space.com for 10 years before joining full-time. Elizabeth's reporting includes multiple exclusives with the White House and Office of the Vice-President of the United States, an exclusive conversation with aspiring space tourist (and NSYNC bassist) Lance Bass, speaking several times with the International Space Station, witnessing five human spaceflight launches on two continents, flying parabolic, working inside a spacesuit, and participating in a simulated Mars mission. Her latest book, "Why Am I Taller?", is co-written with astronaut Dave Williams. Elizabeth holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Space Studies from the University of North Dakota, a Bachelor of Journalism from Canada's Carleton University and a Bachelor of History from Canada's Athabasca University. Elizabeth is also a post-secondary instructor in communications and science at several institutions since 2015; her experience includes developing and teaching an astronomy course at Canada's Algonquin College (with Indigenous content as well) to more than 1,000 students since 2020. Elizabeth first got interested in space after watching the movie Apollo 13 in 1996, and still wants to be an astronaut someday. Mastodon: https://qoto.org/@howellspace
Latest articles by Elizabeth Howell
Polaris Dawn: Everything you need to know about the 1st mission of the Polaris Program
By Elizabeth Howell last updated
Reference Polaris Dawn was the first of three missions of the Polaris Program. The mission flew on a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and was commanded by Jared Isaacman.
NASA astronaut photographs SpaceX's private Polaris Dawn capsule reentry from ISS (photo)
By Elizabeth Howell published
The private Polaris Dawn was within view of the ISS when the four-person private mission concluded its work on Sept. 15. Experienced NASA astronaut Don Pettit wielded the camera.
SpaceX launches 21 Starlink satellites from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base, lands rocket (video)
By Elizabeth Howell published
SpaceX's latest Starlink satellite launch lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base on Sept. 12, adding to a constellation of more than 6,300 operational satellites.
Boeing’s Starliner astronauts speak publicly today for 1st time in 2 months: Watch it live
By Elizabeth Howell published
Boeing Starliner's historic first mission with astronauts did not turn out as planned. Starliner's 2 NASA astronauts will share their experiences from the ISS today (Sept. 13).
SpaceX's private Polaris Dawn astronauts talk US flag and kids' books from orbit on historic spaceflight (videos)
By Elizabeth Howell published
The Polaris Dawn crew called down to Earth to honor the anniversary of 9/11, and to do a book-reading event to support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
NASA's Voyager 1 probe swaps thrusters in tricky fix as it flies through interstellar space
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA's most distant spacecraft had a critical thruster problem far from home. Fixing it required a long-distance call to overcome extreme cold and dwindling power.
Soyuz rocket launches new US-Russian crew of 3 to ISS (video)
By Elizabeth Howell last updated
A Russian Soyuz rocket launched three astronauts toward the International Space Station today (Sept. 11), setting a new record for humans in orbit.
International Space Station: Live updates
By Elizabeth Howell last updated
Find out what's going on at the International Space Station.
Space MacGyver: NASA astronaut and inventor Don Pettit eager to return to ISS on Sept. 11
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA's oldest active astronaut, Don Pettit, is set to return to space on Sept. 11. In his spare ISS time, he is known for stunning photography and tinkering with engineering.
Boeing's Starliner capsule just landed with no crew aboard. What's next for this astronaut taxi?
By Elizabeth Howell published
Starliner's recently completed Crew Flight Test mission faced several technical problems in space. Will NASA certify the spacecraft for long-duration astronaut flights?
Boeing Starliner 1st astronaut flight: Mission updates
By Elizabeth Howell, Tariq Malik last updated
Boeing moving toward a June 1 launch of its first-ever Starliner astronaut mission for NASA.
Boeing Starliner departs ISS without its astronaut crew. How to watch it land on Earth tonight
By Elizabeth Howell last updated
Boeing's Starliner capsule will depart the ISS without astronauts today (Sept. 6), and you can watch the action live.
'We're confident in it': Boeing Starliner's parachute team readies for Crew Flight Test landing without astronauts on Sept. 7
By Elizabeth Howell published
Boeing Starliner's parachutes will be tested once more during an uncrewed test on Sept. 7. It was originally supposed to host astronauts, but NASA changed the plan mid-mission.
NASA astronauts can't wear Boeing Starliner spacesuits in SpaceX's Dragon. Here's why
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA's Starliner astronauts will temporarily have an emergency spot available on a SpaceX Crew Dragon, but they can't wear spacesuits there. That will change in a few weeks.
Boeing Starliner astronauts have years of medical studies helping them with longer stay in space
By Elizabeth Howell published
Starliner's astronauts will spend at least 8 months in space, longer than a typical ISS crew. But numerous other astronauts have safely spent a year on the ISS, or even longer.
'There was some tension in the room', NASA says of decision to bring Boeing's Starliner spacecraft home without astronauts
By Elizabeth Howell published
Boeing's Starliner spacecraft will fly back to Earth for a landing on Sept. 7, but without its crew. Its two astronauts will ride home on SpaceX Crew Dragon in February 2025.
The pieces of NASA's next 3 Artemis moon missions head to Florida launch site (photos)
By Elizabeth Howell published
Pieces for the Artemis 2, 3 and 4 moon missions are all bound for NASA's Kennedy Space Center after manufacturing in the U.S. and in Europe. They'll journey by sea to get there.
'Deadpool & Wolverine' has a sneaky Canadarm robot arm cameo at the end of time — but blink and you'll miss it
By Elizabeth Howell published
The iconic Canadarm space robot makes a brief appearance in "Deadpool & Wolverine," a film that features fellow Canadian Ryan Reynolds.
Former U.S. Navy Seal Jonny Kim will be 1st Korean-American astronaut on ISS in March 2025
By Elizabeth Howell published
U.S. Navy lieutenant and NASA astronaut Jonny Kim will board a Russian Soyuz spacecraft to fly to the ISS for an eight-month mission in 2025.
NASA cuts 2 astronauts from SpaceX Crew-9 mission to make room for Boeing Starliner crew
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA's Crew-9 mission now has only 2 astronauts instead of 4. The last-minute change gives room to return 2 astronauts on the ISS who needed a new ride home.
Archaeologists find huge, 2,500-year-old Egyptian astronomy observatory
By Elizabeth Howell published
An Egyptian dig uncovered a massive building that shows considerable evidence of astronomy observations, including a sundial and features meant to track the sun and stars.
Blue Origin space tourist launches: Live mission updates
By Elizabeth Howell last updated
Blue Origin's next space tourist mission hasn't yet been announced yet. Here are live updates of what we know.
Starlink satellites: Facts, tracking and impact on astronomy
By Tereza Pultarova, Elizabeth Howell last updated
Reference Starlink satellites have been developed by SpaceX to provide internet to remote locations. Here we explore the controversial megaconstellation in more detail.
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