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 astronaut Loral O'Hara missed the total solar eclipse, but saw Earth 'moving' below her during spacewalk (photos)
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA astronaut Loral O'Hara missed watching an eclipse from the ISS by days. But she did participate in the 4th all-woman spacewalk, and has a unique story about a baby octopus.
1st female ISS program manager looks ahead to new spaceships, space stations (exclusive)
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA's Dana Weigel has held leadership positions at the agency for 20 years. Now leading the ISS program, she highlighted the outpost's increasingly commercial focus.
Artemis 2 Orion spacecraft starts testing ahead of moon mission with astronauts in 2025 (video)
By Elizabeth Howell published
The Artemis 2 Orion spacecraft began testing on April 10 in an altitude chamber at NASA. The spacecraft will bring four astronauts around the moon no earlier than 2025.
SpaceX's giant Starship will be 500 feet tall for Mars missions, Elon Musk says (video)
By Elizabeth Howell published
Just weeks after Starship first reached orbital speed during a spaceflight in March, SpaceX founder Elon Musk outlined what the company wants to do with future spacecraft for Mars missions.
Trains, planes and a total solar eclipse! Watching the moon block the sun was a transportation adventure (exclusive)
By Elizabeth Howell published
My family has been in transportation for generations, in planes and trains. I finally got my two ancestral lines to meet, eclipse-style, at a Canadian rail station near an airport.
Satellite views of solar eclipse 2024: See the moon's shadow race across North America (video, photos)
By Elizabeth Howell published
Several satellites caught the April 8 total solar eclipse from space, and scientists have shared the incredible footage.
Soyuz capsule with crew of 3, including 1st female astronaut from Belarus, lands safely to end ISS mission
By Elizabeth Howell published
A Russian Soyuz spacecraft carrying three people, including the first female Belarusian in space, landed in Kazakhstan early this morning (April 6).
This solar eclipse simulator on SkySafari will guide you through the eclipse on April 8
By Elizabeth Howell published
SkySafari has new solar eclipse capabilities on its app, including a simulator and a shadow tracker, making it the perfect app for April 8.
Watch live as Russian Soyuz spacecraft carrying 3 spaceflyers departs the ISS tonight
By Elizabeth Howell published
A Russian Soyuz spacecraft is set to depart the ISS late tonight (April 5) with three people on board, and you can watch the action live.
Solar eclipse sights might vary on the edge of totality: report
By Elizabeth Howell published
Do you live near the edge of where the solar eclipse passes? You might want to dive further into the shadow of totality to make sure you don't miss it, a new report suggests.
Will the 2024 total solar eclipse be visible from space?
By Elizabeth Howell published
ISS astronauts and satellites will have a bird's-eye view of the April 8 total solar eclipse, which will thrill skywatchers across North America.
I'm taking the train to see the 2024 solar eclipse in Canada. Here's why I'm riding the rails
By Elizabeth Howell published
The April 8 solar eclipse doesn't quite reach totality in my home Canadian city, so I'm hopping on a train to find it. I had good reason to stay off the road, or away from the air.
1st Boeing Starliner astronauts are ready to launch to the ISS for NASA (exclusive)
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore have been training on Boeing's Starliner spacecraft for years. The team says they're ready for the first astronaut launch no earlier than May 1.
NASA's 1st female chief engineer at Kennedy Space Center wants to put a space station around the moon (exclusive)
By Elizabeth Howell published
For Women's History Month, NASA's Teresa Kinney shared what she's learned in 40 years of working in agency circles, and how she's trying to help the next generation fly to space.
NASA's new astronauts are excited for April's total eclipse: 'I'm going to be that little kid all over again' (exclusive)
By Elizabeth Howell published
Several new NASA astronauts used to study the sun on the regular. They shared their research ahead of the next solar eclipse that crosses the United States on April 8.
Future Mars plane could help solve Red Planet methane mystery (exclusive)
By Elizabeth Howell published
A new Mars plane idea, affectionately called MAGGIE, received early-stage NASA funding for a project starting in May. Its goal is to one day hunt for methane while soaring above the planet.
I toured NASA's Mission Control ahead of Boeing's 1st Starliner astronaut flight. Here's what it was like (exclusive)
By Elizabeth Howell published
"We understand the steps that need to be taken."
Boeing's 1st Starliner astronaut flight test for NASA could launch as soon as May 1
By Elizabeth Howell published
Boeing Starliner is ready to carry its first astronaut crew to the International Space Station. Two NASA astronauts will fly on the new spacecraft for a one-week mission in May.
Helping build instrument for Japanese Mars mission 'a favorite time' for new NASA astronaut (exclusive)
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA engineers just delivered a Mars instrument to Japan for a future mission. New NASA astronaut Andre Douglas helped get the Martian Moons Exploration mission ready for liftoff.
Track the April 8 total solar eclipse with SkySafari, now 80% off
By Elizabeth Howell published
Deals SkySafari 7 has a bundle of new features ahead of the next solar eclipse, and a big sale to match. It's all to get ready for the next solar eclipse in the United States on April 8.
New NASA astronauts 'thrilled' to see 1st Boeing Starliner crew launch in May (exclusive)
By Elizabeth Howell published
A new NASA astronaut class finished training in March, just in time to watch a new spacecraft take flight. Boeing's Starliner is expected to fly its first crew to space in May.
New NASA astronauts celebrate moon missions, private space stations as they get ready for liftoff (exclusive)
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA's newest generation of astronauts have moon missions and a growing space program in their future. The 2024 class tells Space.com they are excited for what's next.
Artemis 2 moon astronauts celebrate engine test for future lunar missions (video)
By Elizabeth Howell published
Artemis 2 moon astronauts Reid Wiseman and Christina Koch watched a dramatic engine fire in Mississippi on March 6. The test will prepare NASA for future lunar landings.
NASA celebrates SpaceX Starship's 3rd test flight, but more work needed ahead of Artemis moon missions
By Elizabeth Howell published
SpaceX's Starship reached space and achieved orbital velocity during its March 14 test flight, but more work is needed before it can land NASA Artemis astronauts on the moon.
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