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 white cubical satellite deploys from a rocket's upper stage with earth and the blackness of space in the background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Mtiecti9GzQrf2dpmBry5W-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX launches Earth-observing EarthCARE satellite during rocket flight doubleheader (photos, video)
By Elizabeth Howell published
SpaceX launched the EarthCARE mission this afternoon (May 28) after sending aloft a group of Starlink internet satellites this morning.
![people walking nearby a tv showing a rocket launch, with korean characters visible on the screen](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PSTjbsfAkGke6QoXLGzXZ4-320-80.jpg)
US condemns failed North Korean rocket launch as breach of international security: report
By Elizabeth Howell published
A spy satellite on board did not reach orbit, according to media reports.
![a view of a telescope and robotic arm through the window of a space shuttle. earth and clouds are in the background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Q8gzixDoqkFnDauL7gEomF-320-80.jpg)
A billionaire hopes to upgrade the Hubble Telescope on a private SpaceX mission, but could it really happen?
By Elizabeth Howell published
Jared Isaacman, the billionaire funder and commander of the Polaris Program missions, spoke on social media recently about why he wants a Hubble Space Telescope mission.
![a cone-shaped spacecraft inside a tall facility with an open door to the right, showing trees and swamp down below](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dHtYiPbP2VRo7BJURc7J95-320-80.jpg)
'It's so complicated:' Boeing Starliner teams diagnosing helium leak ahead of June 1 astronaut launch
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA and Boeing are still working through "complicated" issues arising from a small Starliner spacecraft helium leak. Launch is June 1, but that's pending a flight readiness review.
![a man in a suit sits at a table covered in microphones in a large wood-paneled room](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pBfSTz6gyvQa8fdkjd8R2N-320-80.jpg)
Safety comes 1st for Artemis moon missions despite 'space race' with China, NASA chief says
By Elizabeth Howell published
Artemis 2 is so far expected to fly in 2025, with astronaut safety a priority before the schedule.
![a cone-shaped spacecraft inside a tall facility with an open door to the right, showing trees and swamp down below](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dHtYiPbP2VRo7BJURc7J95-320-80.jpg)
Boeing Starliner's 1st astronaut launch delayed again, this time with no new flight date
By Elizabeth Howell published
The 1st astronaut mission aboard Boeing's Starliner will not lift off May 25 as planned. NASA has not yet revealed the cause, but a helium leak has been ongoing in the spacecraft.
![a white and black space plane sits inside a large white-walled room](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/K92tF2iMJFBAjNRcBPjYA9-320-80.jpg)
Dream Chaser space plane arrives in Florida ahead of 1st launch to ISS (photo)
By Elizabeth Howell published
Dream Chaser is almost ready for its first mission. The space plane Tenacity and a cargo module are at NASA's Kennedy Space Center for final testing ahead of an ISS launch.
![a tube-shaped rocket flying to space with blue sky as a background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7B6DaSgzQGUCJZkRWmqNfh-320-80.jpg)
How to watch Blue Origin's NS-25 private space tourist mission online today
By Elizabeth Howell last updated
Blue Origin is scheduled to launch a crewed mission for the first time in nearly two years on Sunday (May 19). Here's how to watch the action live.
![a person standing beside a very large piece of debris. the debris is charred and roughly the same width as a person's height](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kQYsTb9jUt4fjh7Gw3rBZk-320-80.jpg)
Junk from a SpaceX Dragon 'trunk' may have crashed into a Canadian farmer's field (photos)
By Elizabeth Howell published
A farmer in rural Saskatchewan found a charred chunk of debris during planting season in late April. The piece might have come from a SpaceX Crew Dragon, according to a re-entry track.
![four astronauts in spacesuits standing in a circle talking to each other](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zmXdiGYUgsqqqgFpSkgyNN-320-80.jpg)
'That's part of space exploration': Artemis 2 astronauts unfazed by moon mission delays (exclusive)
By Elizabeth Howell published
Artemis 2's moon flight and Boeing Starliner's ISS visit have both seen delays in their crewed missions. But the moon astronauts emphasize that timeline changes are part of the job.
![a black and white image of the international space station from afar, showing solar panels and modules](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rBtVmyf4yJpbmL4nvhERaj-320-80.jpg)
Wow! Satellite views International Space Station from only 43 miles away (photo)
By Elizabeth Howell published
The International Space Station was caught on camera in an incredible new photo from HEO Robotics, which images satellites using space-based sensors.
![a look through a circular spacecraft window to see two astronauts in spacesuits lying on their backs](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fXd9L3QYMQjT5Dd7idNv6L-320-80.jpg)
Artemis 2 astronauts simulated a day in the life on their moon mission. Here's what they learned (exclusive)
By Elizabeth Howell published
How do you get ready for flying to the moon? The Artemis 2 astronauts practiced a day in space ahead of their historic liftoff in 2025 to see what living in the Orion spacecraft is like.
![rows of starlink satellites in the lower left portion of the image with Earth in the background and a slither of black space in the lower right side of the image.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/66nAsxpJr7oyGUxf3BDYpA-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX Starlink satellites doing just fine after weekend solar storm, company says
By Elizabeth Howell published
SpaceX's Starlink fleet of nearly 6,000 satellites remains healthy after weekend solar storms sparked auroras across the world.
![a large white rocket sits vertical on a launch pad at night](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GSTdUcuVZZdEk3tYPncDzV-320-80.jpg)
Boeing Starliner's historic 1st astronaut launch delayed by Atlas V rocket issue
By Elizabeth Howell published
An issue with ULA's Atlas V rocket scrubbed the historic 1st crewed launch attempt of Boeing's Starliner capsule on May 6. May 10 is the earliest possible launch date now.
![woman standing in front of big square building with nasa logo and american flag](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7XPGoMsJA6UJJxZPkmtzV9-320-80.jpg)
Starliner's Mission Control team 'very excited' for capsule's 1st-ever astronaut launch (exclusive)
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA and Boeing are working together to send the first astronauts to space on Starliner on May 6. Among the Mission Control support team is Kennedy Space Center's chief engineer.
![a rocket with a cone-shaped spacecraft on top. it is beside a launch tower. a crew access arm reaches from the tower to the spacecraft with the word "ULA" and an american flag on the side](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4wvrow6xLRWJnJB9qMGZvV-320-80.jpg)
Boeing's Starliner launch will be the 1st astronaut flight on an Atlas V rocket. How did NASA and ULA get it ready for crews? (exclusive)
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA astronauts will ride a United Launch Alliance Atlas V for the 1st time on May 6. Getting the long-running rocket ready for humans took thousands of checks.
![a grey-and-blue cone-shaped spacecraft in space above the Earth](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xyQjwsCdzioVDM4wn2baDc-320-80.jpg)
Boeing's Starliner is a 'big piece of America's overall strategy for access to low Earth orbit,' astronaut says
By Elizabeth Howell published
Canadian Space Agency astronaut Josh Kutryk says Boeing Starliner is "important strategically" for America's space program.
![a woman astronaut in a flight suit posing in the doorway of a spacecraft simulator. the open door is at right](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZtHtyv5n8RKTbxT8HWy7ob-320-80.jpg)
After an 'emotional rollercoaster,' NASA astronauts are ready to fly on Boeing Starliner
By Elizabeth Howell published
Two NASA astronauts waited several extra years for their ride aboard Boeing Starliner, but the wait was not fully unexpected, the former test pilots recently shared with reporters.
![a rocket at a launch pad surrounded by towers](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cE7EfsGrtss6XNDkxchL9A-320-80.jpg)
Boeing Starliner rolls out to launch pad for 1st astronaut flight on May 6 (photos)
By Elizabeth Howell published
Starliner is at last at its Florida launch pad for its historic 1st mission with astronauts. The Boeing spacecraft made a brief journey there May 4 to coincide with Star Wars Day.
![a cone-shaped spacecraft near a structure of the international space station. below is the curve of earth](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cXJ9x8BTDdmTEbJP2EMpmN-320-80.jpg)
What's next for Boeing Starliner after its 1st crew flight test?
By Elizabeth Howell published
Astronauts will board a Boeing Starliner spacecraft for the 1st ISS test flight no earlier than May 6. Boeing says it's already working on first operational mission Starliner-1 for 2025.
![two astronauts with spacesuits on in a simulator looking at a screen](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/SKs27W72D6HJ6GoCYvwDCQ-320-80.jpg)
Boeing Starliner spacecraft 'go' for 1st astronaut launch on May 6, NASA says
By Elizabeth Howell published
Two NASA astronauts, their spacecraft and rocket have been cleared for a historic 1st flight aboard Boeing's Starliner. Launch will take place no earlier than May 6.
![a cone-shaped spacecraft in front of an american flag](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cWifFA8XZovvQUjFq33fHe-320-80.jpeg)
Boeing's Starliner is ready to fly astronauts after years of delay. Here's what took so long.
By Elizabeth Howell published
Boeing's Starliner is finally ready to fly astronauts, after several years of delay. The capsule's designers put the extra time to good use, NASA and Boeing representatives say.
![a cone-shaped spacecraft with hatch open. earth is in the background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/E4Qa5mRyPMbmyvQGYVLNQC-320-80.jpg)
Here's what to expect during Boeing Starliner's 1st astronaut test flight on May 6
By Elizabeth Howell published
Boeing Starliner will launch its 1st mission to the ISS with NASA astronauts on May 6. Here are the milestones to watch for, from launch to docking to landing.
![two astronauts in spacesuits with visors open. the woman astronaut in front turns to smile at the camera while the man astronaut in back looks to the side](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yBXovzPp3VtiyNZbmyLP9N-320-80.jpg)
'It almost feels unreal': NASA astronauts excited for 1st crewed Boeing Starliner launch May 6
By Elizabeth Howell published
Two experienced NASA astronauts will take Boeing Starliner on its first human excursion on May 6. Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams bring test pilot and spaceflight experience to bear.
![a cone-shaped spacecraft near a structure of the international space station. below is the curve of earth](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cXJ9x8BTDdmTEbJP2EMpmN-320-80.jpg)
2 astronaut taxis: Why NASA wants both Boeing's Starliner and SpaceX's Dragon
By Elizabeth Howell published
Boeing's Starliner will make its first crewed launch as soon as May 6, about four years after SpaceX's. Having two private astronaut taxis will provide redundancy for ISS operations and more.