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
NASA chief Bill Nelson promises a 'fight' for agency's 2025 budget request
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson lamented spending cuts in his agency during his annual address on March 11, as the agency released its 2025 budget request.
SpaceX Crew-7 astronauts undock from the ISS for March 12 return to Earth
By Elizabeth Howell published
SpaceX Crew-7's astronauts left the International Space Station March 11. Their return to Earth may occur as soon as March 12.
New UAE astronauts prepare for Ramadan and family reunions: report
By Elizabeth Howell published
UAE astronauts Nora AlMatrooshi and Mohammad AlMulla just finished basic training with NASA. They spoke about their plans for Ramadan and seeing family in a media report.
NASA astronaut Tracy C. Dyson 'super-pumped' for 3rd space mission (exclusive video)
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA astronaut Tracy C. Dyson will launch toward the ISS no earlier than March 21. She talks to Space.com about what she and other astronauts will do on the mission, her third spaceflight.
20 trailblazing women in astronomy and astrophysics
By Elizabeth Howell last updated
From discovering planets to following comets, women all over the world play a crucial role in astronomy.
Astronauts celebrate mentorships and milestones on International Women's Day 2024 (exclusive)
By Elizabeth Howell published
For International Women's Day, two newly graduated female NASA astronauts talked about the community of people that helped them join the corps.
Fly me to the moon: NASA accepting astronaut applications (video)
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA wants a new group of astronauts. U.S. citizens have until April 2 to apply for chances to fly to low Earth orbit, the moon and maybe even Mars.
SpaceX Crew-8 astronaut mission: Live updates
By Elizabeth Howell last updated
Read the latest news about SpaceX's Crew-8 mission to the International Space Station for NASA.
Watch NASA's next astronaut class graduate today in this free livestream (video)
By Elizabeth Howell last updated
NASA's latest group of astronaut candidates will graduate Tuesday (March 5) alongside two candidates from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and you can watch it live.
VR could help astronauts avoid seasickness during splashdown and recovery
By Elizabeth Howell published
Splashdowns are back in style as NASA and other space agencies reach for the moon. And VR might help returning astronauts from feeling queasy in the ocean, after space.
Japan's SLIM moon lander powers down as long lunar night falls (again)
By Elizabeth Howell published
JAPAN's SLIM moon lander entered its second lengthy period of dormancy after a dramatic touchdown in January. When the sun shines again on the moon, it might revive again.
Why ISS astronauts won't know where to look for next total solar eclipse for a while
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA can usually give precise directions to astronauts about ISS activities. But when it comes to the next total solar eclipse, a paradox may create some issues.
NASA 'worm' logo crawls onto Artemis 2 moon rockets (video)
By Elizabeth Howell published
The NASA worm logo is wriggling its way onto solid rocket boosters that will help launch the four-astronaut Artemis 2 moon mission in 2025.
Perseverance rover spots Ingenuity helicopter's snapped-off rotor blade on Mars (photos)
By Elizabeth Howell published
Ingenuity's broken helicopter blade has been spotted on Mars. The little chopper made a hard landing on Jan. 18 and is grounded forever.
Where and when to see the northern lights in 2024
By Daisy Dobrijevic last updated
Our northern lights 2024 guide tells you where and when to see aurora borealis throughout Europe and North America.
SpaceX Starship docking system readies for moon missions in tests with NASA
By Elizabeth Howell published
Ahead of the Artemis 3 lunar landing mission, hardware from SpaceX's Starship was used to simulate dockings with NASA's Orion crew capsule. The two will rendezvous above the moon.
Get to the choppa! Artemis 2 moon astronauts practice splashdown with U.S. Navy (images, video)
By Elizabeth Howell published
The Artemis 2 moon astronauts went to the Pacific Ocean this month to practice splashdown operations alongside NASA and the U.S. Navy. The footage is incredible.
Why NASA astronaut Jeanette Epps waited an extra 6 years for her ISS space mission
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA astronaut Jeanette Epps was supposed to fly to space in 2018, but it didn't happen. It took two more tries to get her assigned to SpaceX Crew-8, launching as soon as March 2.
SpaceX's longest-ever astronaut cruise was a smooth ride, Ax-3 crewmembers say
By Elizabeth Howell published
Axiom Space astronaut Michael López-Alegría is the only person to fly twice on a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule. He'd love for more people to ride that spacecraft in orbit.
NASA's Dana Weigel will be the 1st female ISS program manager
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA's Dana Weigel will helm the International Space Station program for NASA. She will succeed Joel Montalbano, who will take on an associate administrator position in April.
SpaceX Crew-8 astronauts eager for launch to ISS on March 2: 'Things surprise you, but we're ready'
By Elizabeth Howell published
SpaceX Crew-8 is ready to launch to the International Space Station on March 2. The crew shared how their training is preparing them for space.
Intuitive Machines' historic moon landing builds momentum for Artemis, astronaut Tracy C. Dyson says (exclusive)
By Elizabeth Howell published
Intuitive Machines just made the first U.S. landing on the moon in 52 years. NASA astronaut Tracy C. Dyson says the daring mission will help Artemis lunar crews later in the 2020s.
It's alive! JAXA's SLIM moon lander sends home new photos after surviving frigid lunar night
By Elizabeth Howell published
Japan's SLIM moon lander started working again on the lunar surface despite extreme heat conditions, the team announced Monday (Feb. 26). It even sent home new imagery.