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
![a cone-shaped spacecraft splashes down into open sea under three parachutes](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rdcYezmFiS32XJLgxyuChQ-320-80.png)
SpaceX moving Crew Dragon splashdowns to West Coast after multiple space debris incidents
By Elizabeth Howell published
The four astronauts flying aboard SpaceX Crew Dragon are supposed to launch no earlier than Aug. 18 and splash down near Florida. Future crews will go to the west coast due to space junk concerns.
![Cosmonaut Oleg Novitsky shared this photo of the International Space Station on Twitter on Sept. 29, 2021. He and two colleagues were relocating a Russian Soyuz spacecraft from one port to another at the time.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/46SoWfbWAVsNRsh8u53hsR-320-80.jpg)
International Space Station: Live updates
By Elizabeth Howell published
Find out what's going on at the International Space Station.
![an astronaut in flight suit floats in front of the camera during a parabolic flight. in behind are numerous other astronauts in flight suits spinning in different directions](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Vn8TpDWzUJjQ7cvswPNZCW-320-80.jpg)
How spaceflight’s 'parastronaut program' could improve health-care practices here on Earth
By Elizabeth Howell published
ESA reserve astronaut John McFall's story inspired a study suggesting that the space community's inclusion efforts should be used in other fields, especially medicine.
![Starliner launch June 5, 2024.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rWVNsphDWZy5JxDt49jTVa-320-80.jpg)
Boeing Starliner 1st astronaut flight: Live updates
By Elizabeth Howell, Tariq Malik published
Boeing moving toward a June 1 launch of its first-ever Starliner astronaut mission for NASA.
![a cone-shaped spacecraft above the earth at night. streaks of light indicate a time exposure image and movement](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TVfn9jHPsxEZ67ipvDR7xJ-320-80.jpg)
50 days after launch to ISS, Boeing Starliner astronauts still have no landing date
By Elizabeth Howell published
Boeing's Starliner does not have a landing date yet, but the troubleshooting is making progress. Engineers plan a "hot fire" test this weekend to see how the spacecraft does in orbit.
![northern lights appear as dancing ribbons of green in the sky above a snowy mountain top.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/oSbdgWMsQqzQX2MEEUP8hd-320-80.jpg)
Where and when to see the northern lights in 2024
By Daisy Dobrijevic last updated
Find out where and when to see the northern lights (aurora borealis) throughout Europe and North America in our helpful guide.
![NASA's Artemis 2 moon mission crew teaser with four astronauts in spacesuits.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Fa5JA5VLPfoFwXJXtryd5B-320-80.jpg)
NASA's Artemis 2 moon mission: Live updates
By Tariq Malik, Elizabeth Howell published
NASA's Artemis 2 mission is returning astronauts to the moon for the first time since 1972. See live mission updates here.
![a rocket on its side going into a large building that has banners for the artemis program, the u.s. flag and nasa at the top](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sHpDrhjVvhEvqjQyqhxXs9-320-80.jpg)
Watch NASA's massive Artemis 2 rocket core stage arrive in Florida. Next stop: the moon (video, photos)
By Elizabeth Howell published
Artemis 2's core stage is near its launch site in Florida after sailing more than 900 miles from New Orleans. The rocket is scheduled to send NASA astronauts around the moon in 2025.
![an astronaut wears a helmet that includes a glowing green screen in front of his right eye](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/x6qK3FAhstpiGM35t98H5Z-320-80.jpg)
'We're pushing the limits:' Artemis 2 backup astronaut on 2025 round-the-moon mission (exclusive)
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA's Artemis 2, a round-the-moon mission with astronauts, is scheduled for a 2025 liftoff. But as backup astronaut Andre Douglas notes, safety will come before schedules on the pioneering effort.
![The July Supermoon rises near the Kidston Island Lighthouse on Kidston Island, located in the Bras d'Or lakes in Baddeck, Nova Scotia, Canada. Kidston Island is an uninhabited island in the Bras d'Or Lakes in Baddeck, Nova Scotia.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fkWwxSYkjkKSLEAV4P4dTa-320-80.jpg)
Supermoon: what is it and when is the next one?
By Daisy Dobrijevic last updated
Reference A supermoon occurs when the full moon coincides with the moon's closest approach to Earth in its orbit. 2024 will experience four supermoons in a row.
![artist's impression of a cone-shaped spacecraft, powered by solar arrays, firing its engines while docked to the international space station. the curve of earth and black of space is visible behind](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/f8uHfASTFsNTmzqfm9BoXP-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX has dreamed up a Dragon ship on steroids to drag the ISS out of space
By Elizabeth Howell published
SpaceX's Dragon series now has a new entrant: a larger, tougher variant that will send the ISS to its doom sometime in the 2030s.
![A bootprint on the surface of the moon, taken by Apollo 11's Buzz Aldrin during the first human moon landing on July 20, 1969.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4hwU37oCiwcP5MfVNjwVPQ-320-80.jpg)
'Space can unite a troubled country in troubled times': NASA chief calls for unity 55 years after Apollo 11 moon landing
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA administrator Bill Nelson is calling for unity among both major U.S. political parties amid the 55th anniversary of the first human moon landing on Saturday (July 20).
![a ghostly lit picture of astronaut chris cassidy in a spacesuit in space. the astronaut holds on to the international space station hatch with his right hand](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8qi7vVbB3HaA2SoZcBgLQC-320-80.jpg)
NASA delays ISS spacewalks indefinitely to investigate spacesuit coolant leak
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA had planned to hold its next spacewalk at the end of July, but now that's off the schedule. An investigation continues after a June 24 coolant leak during a spacewalk.
![three headshots of women in parachute helmets, side by side](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yZ6geyXUb9TJzUzPvNNt7i-320-80.jpg)
1st stratospheric skydive by a woman delayed to 2026, Hera Rising says
By Elizabeth Howell published
Hera Rising, the first effort to bring a woman skydiver into the stratosphere, now plans to launch its historic mission in 2026. Fundraising is one of the things the group is working on.
![white frost-like material builds up around a cone-shaped rocket nozzle as it glows orange](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eX4dECJAhHCKQvE26NqGua-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX launches to ISS are under independent NASA review after rare Falcon 9 rocket failure
By Elizabeth Howell published
"This is our top company priority right now."
![an astronaut giving a thumbs-up inside a spacesuit, while lying on his back near a filing cabinet](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tBgDiFzsejv8skTyCx9s6a-320-80.jpg)
Snazzy spacesuit! Artemis 2 moon mission backup astronaut Andre Douglas tries on his lunar duds (photos)
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA astronaut Andre Douglas tried on his Artemis 2 spacesuit to get ready to backup the 2025 mission. The spacecraft will fly around the moon with four astronauts.
![NASA's James Webb Space Telescope in its deployed form as seen in an artist's illustration.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/z8sf5yaERm5hCoeAaikmSX-320-80.jpg)
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope mission — Live updates
By Robert Lea last updated
Read the latest news about NASA's James Webb Space Telescope.
![the international space station as photographed while looking down at Earth](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tZWGuwfJ94SUYEuhwJUf9-320-80.jpg)
ISS could 'drift down' for a year before SpaceX vehicle destroys it in Earth's atmosphere
By Elizabeth Howell published
Bringing down a huge space complex will take time.
![elon musk bowing with his hand pointing to the right](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iViH5D5iQkJb3ppQa8Lg8V-320-80.jpg)
Elon Musk says he'll move SpaceX headquarters to Texas over new California LGBTQ+ law
By Elizabeth Howell published
SpaceX's Elon Musk, father to a transgender daughter, says he will move his space company to Texas because he feels California is being too protective of LGBTQ+ kids.
![a white frost-like substance builds up around the base of a metal cone glowing bright orange. the curvature of earth can be seen in the background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eX4dECJAhHCKQvE26NqGua-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX wants to resume Falcon 9 rocket launches while FAA completes investigation
By Elizabeth Howell published
SpaceX is seeking a rapid return to Falcon 9 launches following a rare failure of its workhorse rocket during a satellite launch last week.
![a view of the international space station and its solar panels in front of earth](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6UYSkyRJRdgvqJ6D68HdDQ-320-80.jpg)
Rare SpaceX rocket failure shows exactly why NASA wants 2 commercial options to fly astronauts to ISS
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA wants two U.S. spacecraft to send astronauts to ISS. Backup options are once again in play after a rare rocket failure last week indefinitely grounded SpaceX's Crew Dragon.
![view looking down on a rocket with flames spewing out the bottom. blurry earth is in the background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/L72bWbSHjtSradaH9UddgD-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket failure forces NASA to evaluate astronaut launch schedule for ISS
By Elizabeth Howell published
SpaceX is supposed to send a new group of astronauts to the ISS in mid-August. But after a rocket failure, NASA and SpaceX are figuring out what to do next.
![an astronaut in a jet cockpit looking over his should in the middle of a flight](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YQawumEZChu8LDgmHC9NVY-320-80.jpg)
'This is how we get to Mach 3:' Virgin Galactic's Jameel Janjua on his long journey to space (exclusive)
By Elizabeth Howell published
Jameel Janjua made it 'to the bitter end' in a Canadian astronaut government selection in 2009, but wasn't chosen. He found a different path to space, however: Virgin Galactic.
![a timelapse image showing an astronaut moving from the back to the front of a module in the international space station. at back is an american flag](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fPKzDgYWbsnb8aQPTYPdLk-320-80.jpg)
'No fireworks on ISS,' so astronauts experiment with 'light painting' instead (photos)
By Elizabeth Howell published
Eerie new ISS photos appear to show a ghost in the machine during Independence Day. NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick and others did 'light painting' with the U.S. flag in the background.