Francie Diep

Contributing Writer

Francie is a former contributor to Space.com writing about technology, astronomy, and human spaceflight. She's currently a senior reporter for The Chronicle of Higher Education in Washington, D.C. where she covers money in higher education. Over the years she's written pieces on science and health, including funding for academic science. Her pieces have appeared in The New York Times, Scientific American, Pacific Standard, and more. 

Latest articles by Francie Diep

NASA Thermal Rocket

Nuclear-Powered Rocket Could Reach Mars for Less

By Francie Diep published

A small area of NASA research gets some public attention with an online petition.

Technology
UrtheCast video

Streaming Video from Space Will Document Planet Earth

By Francie Diep published

A startup plans to stream video of the Earth, taken from cameras mounted underneath the International Space Station.

Technology
Photo of an engineer wearing the X1 exoskeleton

Robotic Suit Aids Astronauts and Paraplegic Patients

By Francie Diep published

A new wearable robotic suit is being developed to help people walk in space and on Earth.

Technology
Pluto System Showing Fifth Moon (P5)

Should Pluto's 5th Moon Make It a Planet?

By Francie Diep published

Dwarf planets can have moons, too.

Pluto
NASA's Three Technologies for 2013

NASA Bets on Space Tech's Down-to-Earth Future

By Francie Diep published

NASA's proposed budget for 2013 puts a strong emphasis on space technology development.

Technology
The PILOT system, or Precursor ISRU Lunar Oxygen Testbed, is shown with Lockheed Martin's Bucketwheel on a lander. PILOT could produce up to one quarter of the oxygen needed to sustain a crew of four on the moon.

New Report Pinpoints NASA's 16 Biggest Space Tech Needs

By Francie Diep published

Space radiation shields for astronauts and solar electric propulsion are on NASA's to-get list.

Technology