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
'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.
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.
'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).
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.
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.
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."
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 mission — Live updates
By Robert Lea last updated
Read the latest news about NASA's James Webb Space Telescope.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
'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.
'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.
Streaks in space! ISS astronaut's incredible timelapse photos highlight ghostly solar panels and lovely star trails
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick has spent some of the last few months experimenting with long exposures in space photography. The images give a rare glimpse of life on the move in orbit.
SpaceX targeting July 31 for launch of historic Polaris Dawn astronaut mission
By Elizabeth Howell published
SpaceX is targeting July 31 for the launch of the four-astronaut Polaris Dawn mission, which will feature the first-ever private spacewalk.
NASA announces Artemis 2 moon mission backup astronaut — Andre Douglas will support 2025 lunar liftoff
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA astronaut Andre Douglas has been named the backup astronaut for three astronauts on NASA's round-the-moon mission. Douglas was certified for liftoff earlier this year.
Boeing's Starliner can stay in space beyond 45-day limit, NASA says
By Elizabeth Howell published
Boeing's Starliner is rated to stay in space for 45 days on its historic first astronaut mission, but that's going to be extended soon. Ground testing on its thrusters will start as soon as July 2.
Former cryptocurrency company plans reality TV competition to pick next Blue Origin spaceflight crew
By Elizabeth Howell published
A reality television series may follow a company's efforts to send the 1st Nigerian and others to space aboard a Blue Origin vehicle.
This mysterious ancient computer has a 'calendar ring' that followed the lunar year
By Elizabeth Howell published
A hand-powered calculator from 2,000 years ago, known as the Antikythera mechanism, had a calendar ring that likely followed the lunar year.
Boeing's Starliner spacecraft still doesn't have a landing date, NASA says
By Elizabeth Howell last updated
Boeing Starliner's spacecraft doesn't have a landing date, but the spacecraft is stable at the ISS and will remain there as a new round of testing begins.
Canada begins work on new Canadarm3 robotic arm for upcoming Gateway lunar outpost
By Elizabeth Howell published
MDA Space's Canadarm3 should be ready for the NASA Gateway space station at the moon in 5 years with a new design and testing contract from the Canadian Space Agency.
NASA astronaut gives tips to Baseball Hall of Fame from ISS (video)
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA astronaut Jeanette Epps says baseball games in space might have more spin. She spoke from the ISS as part of the Baseball Hall of Fame's Black Baseball Initiative.
ISS astronauts take shelter in Boeing Starliner and other return spacecraft after June 26 satellite breakup
By Elizabeth Howell published
ISS astronauts retreated to three return spacecraft late on June 26 after a satellite breakup incident in a nearby orbit. NASA cleared the crew to return to their duties after 1 hour.
Get the Space.com Newsletter
Breaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more!