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
SpaceX private Polaris Dawn space mission delayed to April 2024
By Elizabeth Howell published
Polaris Dawn, which will feature the first commercial spacewalk, will launch with SpaceX no earlier than April 2024 due to several development challenges.
Watch ISS astronaut speak with Nobel Prize winners today
By Elizabeth Howell last updated
International Space Station commander Andreas Mogensen will speak with two Nobel laureates on Dec. 11. You can watch the event live, for free.
After Hubble: This Canadian telescope could fill coming 'ultraviolet gap'
By Elizabeth Howell published
The Canadian CASTOR telescope team wants to launch in 2029 to bring fresh ultraviolet eyes to the sky, like Hubble. But it needs funding from Canada's Parliament.
NASA astronaut will celebrate Hanukkah in space with felt menorah
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA International Space Station astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli will pin candles on a felt menorah to honor Hanukkah, the Jewish festival that begins Dec. 7.
The ISS just turned 25, and NASA is getting ready for the end (video)
By Elizabeth Howell published
The ISS turned 25 years old on Dec. 6, and a new generation of space station is coming into view. By 2030, NASA wants commercial stations and a vehicle ready to deorbit the ISS.
ISS astronauts find tomato that was lost in space for 8 months (video)
By Elizabeth Howell published
During NASA astronaut Frank Rubio's year in space, a dwarf tomato he harvested floated away from him. International Space Station astronauts retrieved the tomato's remains 8 months later.
Watch live as astronauts on the ISS celebrate the station's 25th anniversary today (video)
By Elizabeth Howell published
International Space Station astronauts will celebrate 25 years of their research facility on Dec. 6. You can watch the event from space, for free.
Canada's 'Space Force' soars with new astronaut assignments
By Elizabeth Howell published
'Both Jeremy and Josh are incredible ambassadors.'
'Space Rescue Service' needed for coming space tourism era, report argues
By Elizabeth Howell published
People are launching to space in ever-greater numbers, with few backups in case of trouble. A 'Space Rescue Service' might fill in the gap, a new report argues.
1st launch of Europe's Ariane 6 rocket finally has June 2024 launch target
By Elizabeth Howell published
After a 4-year delay, the new heavy-lift rocket for Europe is almost ready for space. Ariane 6 should launch for the European Space Agency no earlier than June 15.
SpaceX launches Irish, South Korean satellites and lands its 250th rocket (video)
By Elizabeth Howell last updated
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the first of five South Korean spy satellites on Dec. 1 before coming down for the company's 250th successful booster recovery.
Russian Progress cargo spacecraft launched to the ISS on Dec. 1 (video)
By Elizabeth Howell last updated
A Russian cargo spacecraft blasted off from Kazakhstan on Dec. 1 for a flight to the International Space Station.
Our solar system's planets aren't weird after all. Exoplanets have tilted orbits, too
By Elizabeth Howell published
All solar system planets circle our sun with slightly tilted orbits — and a new study shows even distant planetary systems in quiet neighborhoods have orbital tilts, too.
Artemis 2 moon astronauts autograph their own rocket 1 year before launch
By Elizabeth Howell published
Just one year before flying around the moon, the Artemis 2 astronauts autographed a part of the massive lunar rocket that will send them aloft in late 2024.
Canada soars into space with new moon and ISS astronaut missions
By Elizabeth Howell published
'My mind just might explode.'
Medical emergencies will happen in deep space. Here's how Canada is getting ready
By Elizabeth Howell published
As the Canadian government readies for liftoff of human moon missions, it asked five teams Tuesday (Nov. 21) to show off their tech ideas for deep-space medicine.
NASA astronaut celebrates Thanksgiving on ISS with turkey socks, Earth views
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA astronaut Loral O'Hara received new turkey socks for U.S. Thanksgiving on the International Space Station. Amid eating good food in orbit, she shared space views of her new duds.
North Korea rocket explodes during spy satellite launch, and meteor hunters caught it on camera: report
By Elizabeth Howell published
North Korea may have deliberately detonated the first stage of its rocket during a launch Tuesday (Nov. 21) that aimed to put a spy satellite in orbit.
Save 35% on Lego Star Wars Luke Skywalker's X-Wing Fighter this Black Friday
By Elizabeth Howell published
Deals Fly your Star Wars flag in style this Black Friday with a 35% off deal on the Lego Star Wars Luke Skywalker's X-Wing Fighter.
Black Friday: Save 30% on the Celestron SkyMaster 15x70 Binocular
By Elizabeth Howell published
Deals With the Celestron SkyMaster 15x70 Binocular on a deep discount this Black Friday, you can peer at deep-sky objects without breaking the bank.
Canada assigns astronauts to launch on Boeing's Starliner, back up Artemis 2 moon mission
By Elizabeth Howell published
The Canadian Space Agency announced 2 new spaceflights for its astronauts on Wednesday (Nov. 22), following a historic moon assignment earlier this year.
Canadian Space Agency will announce new astronaut assignments today (Nov. 22). Here's how to watch it live.
By Elizabeth Howell published
The Canadian Space Agency will announce new astronaut assignments on Nov. 22, just 6 months after astronaut Jeremy Hansen received a moon mission for Artemis 2.
Blue Origin: Everything you need to know about the private spaceflight company
By Elizabeth Howell last updated
Reference Blue Origin flies space tourists to the final frontier.
Tom Hanks visits Artemis 2 moon astronauts and NASA Mission Control
By Elizabeth Howell published
'Apollo 13' actor Tom Hanks, who flew to the moon on film in 1995, just went to NASA in Houston. There, he visited the four Artemis 2 astronauts who will make the journey for real.
Axiom Space astronaut Marcus Wandt says space is 'more real' thanks to private flights
By Elizabeth Howell published
Marcus Wandt was selected as a standby project astronaut in 2022. The European Space Agency now has a spot for him in space: the Axiom Space Ax-3 mission expected to fly in January 2024.