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
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.
ISS astronauts witness 'spectacular' auroras from space (photos)
By Elizabeth Howell published
ISS astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli caught some stunning auroras on camera on Feb. 15. From orbit, she shared with Space.com what it's like to watch the Earth changing below, every day.
Artemis 2 moon astronauts will enjoy maple cream cookies and smoked salmon thanks to Canada
By Elizabeth Howell published
The Canadian Space Agency has five menu items planned for the Artemis 2 moon mission that will lift off no earlier than September 2025.
Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket rises on launch pad ahead of debut liftoff (photo)
By Elizabeth Howell published
Blue Origin's first New Glenn rocket has gone vertical at its Florida launch pad ahead of a planned debut liftoff later this year.
International Space Station: Everything you need to know about the orbital laboratory
By Elizabeth Howell last updated
Reference The International Space Station (ISS) is the largest single structure humans ever put into space. Explore the orbital laboratory in more detail here.
Why a VR headset on the ISS 'really makes a difference' for astronaut exercise
By Elizabeth Howell published
Fancy biking the streets of Denmark while off Earth? A new VR headset on the International Space Station lets an astronaut do just that, to expand on mental health studies in orbit.
Intuitive Machines moon lander sends home a haunting crater picture ahead of touch down today
By Elizabeth Howell published
The Intuitive Machines Odysseus lander imaged a crater on the moon ahead of its expected landing today. It may soon become the first private lander to touch down on the moon.
Astronauts celebrate success of 1st surgery robot on ISS: 'It's a real game-changer'
By Elizabeth Howell published
Space delays during surgery? No sweat. A team of surgeons showed a robot can safely slice through rubber bands in space, in research that could one day help faraway astronauts.
NASA brings back retro 'worm' logo for upcoming Artemis 2 moon mission (photos)
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA's worm logo is adorning the rockets and spacecraft of the Artemis 2 moon mission. The astronaut mission will fly to the moon in 2025 or so.
Intuitive Machines' private Odysseus moon lander on track for Feb. 22 lunar landing
By Elizabeth Howell published
The Intuitive Machines moon landing machine is on course to the moon after 2 crucial engine burns in deep space. Lunar orbit insertion will happen on Feb. 21.
Get a sneak peek inside the Artemis 2 spacecraft that will fly astronauts to the moon for the 1st time in 50 years (photos)
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA just released photos of the Orion spacecraft that will send four astronauts around the moon on the Artemis 2 mission, which will lift off no earlier than September 2025.
ISS astronauts show what it's like to capture a spacecraft with a robotic arm (video)
By Elizabeth Howell published
Canadarm2 berthed a Cygnus cargo spacecraft on the International Space Station on Feb. 1. This is what it looked like, in space and from the orbiting complex.
US space science could fall behind China if private successors to ISS are delayed, Congress warns
By Elizabeth Howell published
A House subcommittee asked NASA about its plan to replace the International Space Station after 2030. New commercial stations are on the way but may not be ready in time.
This astronaut took 5 spacewalks. Now, he's helping make spacesuits for future ISS crews (exclusive)
By Elizabeth Howell published
Retired NASA astronaut John "Danny" Olivas says he wants to give back in what he thinks is his final career move: developing spacesuits with Collins Aerospace for ISS and moon missions.
SpaceX delays Crew-8 astronaut launch for NASA to Feb. 28 to make way for private moon mission
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA will launch the Crew-8 astronauts nearly a week later, on Feb. 28, to "deconflict" from the expected launch date of a robotic moon mission with agency science on board.
How will Artemis 2 astronauts exercise on the way to the moon?
By Elizabeth Howell published
A week or more of floating around is tough on an astronaut's body, especially during a major moon mission. But, in a small spacecraft, finding the right exercise device can be tight.
How NASA's moon landing with Intuitive Machines will help pave the way for Artemis astronaut missions
By Elizabeth Howell published
SpaceX will launch Intuitive Machines' robotic lander toward the moon on Feb. 14. Here's how the mission will help NASA prep for crewed moon missions later in the decade.
Solar eclipse on Mars! Perseverance rover sees Martian moon Phobos cross the sun in epic video
By Elizabeth Howell published
The NASA Perseverance rover recently turned its gaze to the sky to spot a solar eclipse. The asteroid-sized Phobos passed in front of the sun on Feb. 8, from the perspective of Mars.
Mars helicopter Ingenuity's final resting place named after 'Undying Lands' in 'Lord of the Rings'
By Elizabeth Howell published
The final resting place of NASA's Ingenuity helicopter has a new name from the writings of J.R.R. Tolkien, citing a set of islands associated with rest, refuge and eternity.
Donated Renaissance-era astronomy book surprises university with hidden text
By Elizabeth Howell published
Two astronomy books from the Renaissance have found their way to a new home, where students will try to read a possible hidden text within one of them.
'It takes courage to make the right decision:' Artemis 2 astronaut explains why moon mission was delayed to 2025 (exclusive)
By Elizabeth Howell published
Jeremy Hansen has been waiting 15 years for space, and that will continue for a bit longer. The Canadian astronaut shared why he supports the decision to delay NASA's moon mission to 2025.
Ax-3 astronauts leave precious parting gift behind for ISS crew: peanut butter
By Elizabeth Howell published
SpaceX astronauts with Axiom Space decided to leave behind a special snack for the International Space Station crew, shortly after National Peanut Butter Day in the United States.
Get the Space.com Newsletter
Breaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more!