
Elizabeth Howell
Elizabeth Howell (she/her), Ph.D., was a staff writer in the spaceflight channel between 2022 and 2024 specializing in Canadian space news. She was contributing writer for Space.com for 10 years from 2012 to 2024. Elizabeth's reporting includes multiple exclusives with the White House, leading world coverage about a lost-and-found space tomato on 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?" (ECW Press, 2022) is co-written with astronaut Dave Williams.
Latest articles by Elizabeth Howell

Satellites watch devastating floods in Spain from space (photos)
By Elizabeth Howell published
Valencia was particularly hard-hit.

Earth sure looks spooky in these 'hyperspectral' images from Europe's Hera asteroid probe
By Elizabeth Howell published
These strange shots of Earth are a Halloween treat.

North Korea launches intercontinental ballistic missile to space, reaches record altitude
By Elizabeth Howell published
North Korea test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile on Wednesday (July 12), shortly after complaining about purported spying activity by the United States.

NASA astronaut snaps spooky photo of SpaceX Dragon capsule from ISS
By Elizabeth Howell published
The Dragon, named Freedom, is flying SpaceX's Crew-9 mission for NASA.

NASA to resume ISS spacewalks in 2025 after spacesuit leak
By Elizabeth Howell published
"It's just a matter of when is the right timing."

Boeing considers selling its space business, including Starliner: report
By Elizabeth Howell published
Boeing may sell its space business in the wake of troubles with its Starliner spacecraft program, according to a new report. But the discussions are at 'an early stage.'

Artemis 2 astronauts train for emergencies with Orion spacecraft ahead of 2025 moon launch (photos)
By Elizabeth Howell published
Their emergency procedures focused on getting the door open quickly.

NASA still working to 'correct and rectify' Boeing Starliner issues after 1st test flight with astronauts
By Elizabeth Howell published
Boeing's Starliner had propulsion issues after launching on its first test mission with astronauts. Six weeks after the mission concluded, NASA is working on what to do next.

See Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS eject a tail of gas and dust as it flies past the sun (photos)
By Elizabeth Howell published
The comet's dust trail was more visible in a Navy space telescope than any other.

SpaceX Crew-8 astronaut hospitalized in Pensacola after Dragon splashdown, in 'stable condition'
By Elizabeth Howell last updated
Four astronauts aboard SpaceX Crew-8 went to a Pensacola hospital shortly after their splashdown. NASA said the visit was done as a precaution.

SpaceX rolls out Super Heavy rocket for Starship Flight 6 test launch (photos)
By Elizabeth Howell published
SpaceX is getting ready for the next launch of Starship and its rocket, Super Heavy. The rocket is now poised at Starbase in south Texas for preflight testing.

SpaceX Crew-8 astronauts undock from ISS after weather delays (photo)
By Elizabeth Howell last updated
SpaceX's Crew-8 astronaut mission for NASA undocked from the International Space Station today (Oct. 23) after several weather delays.

Boeing-built communications satellite breaks up in orbit. 'Total loss,' operator says
By Elizabeth Howell published
The Intelsat-33e satellite is in pieces following some kind of problem in geostationary orbit, according to the company and US Space Force. An investigation is ongoing.

NASA astronaut makes dazzling 'Jupiter-like planet' on ISS using water and food coloring (photo)
By Elizabeth Howell published
Microgravity makes water do weird and wonderful things. NASA astronaut Don Pettit took advantage of that fact to create a colorful ball that resembles Jupiter.

Fall back to Earth with Falcon 9 payload fairings in stunning new SpaceX video
By Elizabeth Howell published
A recent SpaceX Starlink launch featured an extra video treat: a view of the Internet satellites being revealed for future Internet service. But Starlink's effects on astronomy still causes concern.

SpaceX launches 20 Eutelsat OneWeb broadband satellites to orbit (video)
By Elizabeth Howell last updated
SpaceX launched another set of Eutelsat OneWeb internet satellites to space early Sunday morning (Oct. 20).

Like Wall-E, this lovable trash compactor will help ISS astronauts take out the garbage (photo)
By Elizabeth Howell published
Garbage is a growing problem for astronaut missions on the ISS. As NASA seeks to send people to the moon later this decade, Sierra Space is ready to test a trash compactor on the ISS in 2026.

Relive SpaceX's epic Starship launch (and rocket catch) in these jawdropping photos and video
By Elizabeth Howell published
The fifth flight test of SpaceX's Starship megarocket on Oct. 13 demonstrated not only great engineering but also some amazing photography. Here are some of the best shots.

When will Boeing’s Starliner fly astronauts again? NASA still doesn’t know
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA is still unsure when it will next put astronauts on Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, which experienced issues during its first crewed test flight this summer.

ISS leaks among 50 'areas of concern' for astronaut safety: report
By Elizabeth Howell published
Troubleshooting the leaking ISS is ongoing, with NASA and Russia now identifying 50 "areas of concern" and four cracks, according to a media report.

SpaceX launches 100th rocket of 2024 during Starlink doubleheader (video, photos)
By Elizabeth Howell published
SpaceX launched two Starlink satellite missions just hours apart today (Oct. 15), one of which was the company's 100th liftoff of the year.

Snatching a spinning spacecraft was 'the greatest pride' for 1st Canadian astronaut in space (video)
By Elizabeth Howell published
Canadian astronaut Marc Garneau flew three times in space, conducting some tricky Canadarm robotic arm moves. On the 40th anniversary of his first flight, he celebrates how far Canada has come.

NASA secures Europa Clipper probe as Hurricane Milton sweeps over Kennedy Space Center (photos)
By Elizabeth Howell published
The Europa Clipper probe rode out the arrival of Hurricane Milton Oct. 9 inside a SpaceX hangar, as NASA's Kennedy Space Center experienced strong winds.

Hurricane Milton bears down on Florida with Category 5 strength in new ISS footage (video)
By Elizabeth Howell published
Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall in Florida as soon as Wednesday (Oct. 9), with Category 5 force. NASA's Kennedy Space Center and several space missions will be affected.
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