Leonard David
Leonard David is an award-winning space journalist who has been reporting on space activities for more than 50 years. Currently writing as Space.com's Space Insider Columnist among his other projects, Leonard has authored numerous books on space exploration, Mars missions and more, with his latest being "Moon Rush: The New Space Race" published in 2019 by National Geographic. He also wrote "Mars: Our Future on the Red Planet" released in 2016 by National Geographic. Leonard has served as a correspondent for SpaceNews, Scientific American and Aerospace America for the AIAA. He has received many awards, including the first Ordway Award for Sustained Excellence in Spaceflight History in 2015 at the AAS Wernher von Braun Memorial Symposium. You can find out Leonard's latest project at his website and on Twitter.
Latest articles by Leonard David
![a rectangular-bodied rover with three visible ribbed wheels, shines two lights from the top of a short mast at the top front of its body. It's visible side is a solar panel. The lights illuminate the grey surface immediately in front of the rover. A black sky hangs above.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vp35TfvdFu6ucnCrv2XrMA-320-80.jpg)
'A dark day for lunar science:' Scientists shocked as NASA cancels VIPER moon rover
By Leonard David published
Lunar scientists are stunned by NASA's decision to cancel the ice-hunting VIPER rover and what it means for our understanding of the moon.
![1967: A model of Lunik 1 on display in Moscow. It was the first spacecraft used by the Russians to strike the moon. It was launched on the 2nd January 1959 but missed the moon by 6000 kilometres, it did however become the first artificial satellite to achieve solar orbit.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FtVyTMgoq7aPmEZyESPJg8-320-80.jpg)
How the CIA 'kidnapped' a Soviet moon probe during the space race
By Leonard David published
To gain insight on how the Soviet Union built moon-bound gear, the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) carried out a covert spy job on a Soviet exhibit in 1959.
![an astronaut in a spacesuit with a gold face shield walks on the grey dusty surface of the moon](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rgTRH74MgeKb96jSFJgPgU-320-80.jpg)
What became of the flags Apollo astronauts left on the moon?
By Leonard David published
Astronauts placed six different American flags on the moon during the Apollo program. What became of those flags in the years since, and why were they controversial?
![four people in dark flight suits smile and pump their fists](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/brCwSGn5VR6Z7SPTA8HfAN-320-80.jpg)
'Drawn to our planet:' How spaceflight changed SpaceX Inspiration4 astronaut Chris Sembroski
By Leonard David published
Space.com caught up with Inspiration4 crewmember Chris Sembroski to discuss the landmark 2021 SpaceX mission and how it affected him.
![a large crater on the grey, cratered surface of the moon](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/SqFakx7o6MMGMi85LUyVQR-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX Starship landings could contaminate water ice on the moon
By Leonard David published
Could human landing systems touching down on the moon deliver water from their rocket exhaust plumes? New research says it's a possibility.
![A moon lander with a small rover strapped to its side](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/NydNo2THEEHoSqnc57scN-320-80.jpg)
Get an up-close look at China's Chang'e 6 farside moon rover (video)
By Leonard David published
More information has come to light regarding the hitchhiking mini-rover on China's Chang'e 6 sample-return mission to the moon's far side.
![a large black piece of fiberglass covered in metal bolts and plates lies on the ground beside a trail leading into a forest. mountains can be seen rolling in the distance](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/idzT5o6S4JmthszTLGLqB7-320-80.jpg)
Find a piece of SpaceX space junk? Call the hotline
By Leonard David published
SpaceX has established a debris hotline and a special email address to aid folks who may have found fallen pieces of the company's hardware.
![a cylindrical object is launched from the surface of the moon by a long metal rail](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eKhWoWSJYRkUHwAens3XRV-320-80.jpg)
Could we launch resources from the moon with electromagnetic railguns?
By Leonard David published
Electromagnetic launches of material from the lunar surface can be more efficient than conventional rocket launches that rely on chemical fuels sent from Earth. But are they feasible?
![a small white space plane comes down for a landing at a runway in the desert](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FwS65QPWPFAD6aqtq9t7wP-320-80.jpg)
How SpaceShipOne's historic launch 20 years ago paved the way for a new space tourism era
By Leonard David published
On June 21, 2004, SpaceShipOne reached the final frontier for the first time, notching a huge milestone for private spaceflight and paving the way for space tourism.
![a chinese spacecraft is seen as a small white spot on the moon's gray, cratered far side](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VT63cXbtLbbkv2K38eZS6g-320-80.jpg)
NASA moon orbiter spots Chinese lander on lunar far side (photo)
By Leonard David published
NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has taken its first look at China's Chang'e 6 spacecraft on the moon's far side.
![a robotic lander stands on a barren grey surface against a black sky.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Hw8tqB7T9Y4E5ri2DpwtyV-320-80.jpg)
Chinese moon researchers gearing up for June 25 arrival of far side samples
By Leonard David published
Chang'e 6 will deliver unprecedented cargo to Earth.
![closeup of china's red, five-star national flag on the surface of the moon.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wGXXuNwDJUa4gJctX2UUd4-320-80.jpg)
China's Chang'e 6 mission carried a stone flag to the moon's far side
By Leonard David published
The Chinese flag that the Chang'e 6 mission brought to the moon's far side is made primarily of basalt, a volcanic rock that's plentiful on the lunar surface.
![the moon's cratered surface as seen from a spacecraft preparing to land on it](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/b5CQvq8X82gyQHaduaCwXm-320-80.jpg)
China's Chang'e 6 probe starts collecting 1st lunar far side samples to be brought to Earth
By Leonard David published
China's Chang'e-6 lunar mission has carried out a successful far side touchdown and is already busily gathering specimens for send-off to Earth.
![the sun rises above earth as seen from space](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xFd3RCGxmaPjYeZiecRiv8-320-80.jpg)
1st annual space piracy conference will examine threats of orbital crime and smuggling
By Leonard David published
The First Annual Space Piracy Conference aims to explore the risks of piracy in space and solutions to this potentially devastating economic and legal problem.
![a gold-foil-covered cylindrical spacecraft above the moon](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FDDQeHzrVPjwSZGK5Zi59F-320-80.jpg)
China's Chang'e 6 probe to land on far side of the moon this weekend to return lunar samples to Earth
By Leonard David published
China's Chang'e 6 moon mission is studying landing sites on the lunar far side for accessibility ahead of a planned touchdown attempt this weekend.
![tiny satellites, one out of frame on the bottom left, one on the right with giant twin solar panels, beam blue dotted lines down to a shadowed earth. The sun shines smaller in the top left distance.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3w6TRXpzLR7HebL2v8jdod-320-80.jpg)
Is it time to put a dimmer switch on the push for space solar power?
By Leonard David published
The thought of beaming power to an energy-hungry Earth from space has long been studied. It was first proposed over 80 years ago in science fiction.
![a gold-foil-covered cylindrical spacecraft above the moon](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FDDQeHzrVPjwSZGK5Zi59F-320-80.jpg)
China's Chang'e 6 mission gearing up for early June landing on moon's far side
By Leonard David published
China's robotic Chang'e 6 sample-return mission to the lunar far side is now in orbit around the moon, gearing up for its landing attempt.
![a close up of multi-colored rock against a background showing a reddish-orange dusty landscape littered with rocks](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JMycNV9SirLiYeinTVvy2T-320-80.jpg)
Perseverance rover's Mars rock sample may contain best evidence of possible ancient life
By Leonard David published
These samples are uniquely important for return to Earth for further study.
![illustration of a long-necked, six-wheeled rover on the surface of mars](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/NB7oWhqtuXub3khrXoBFSd-320-80.jpg)
NASA, ESA join forces on life-hunting ExoMars rover
By Leonard David published
NASA and ESA have signed an agreement to team up on the ExoMars rover mission, which aims to launch a life-hunting robot toward the Red Planet in 2028.
![closeup of a small helicopter on a rocky, red-dirt landscape](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ipKcWFaLMsJ8FeXAVZ6BrR-320-80.jpg)
How NASA's Ingenuity helicopter opened the Mars skies to exploration
By Leonard David published
The Ingenuity Mars helicopter's flying days may be over, but its influence will be felt far into the future.
![telescope photo of a star cluster in a dark night sky, with white streaks caused by satellites all over the image](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2cXaCDJCCoGr29RWteiCgG-320-80.jpg)
Blinded by the light: How bad are satellite megaconstellations for astronomy?
By Leonard David published
The emergence of satellite megaconstellations like SpaceX's Starlink offers great benefits for humanity. But there are also substantial costs, including a growing imposition on astronomy.
![Two people in spacesuits walk the surface of a rust colored planet. The astronaut in the foreground looks at something far away, in wonder. The astronaut to the right and slight behind leans on a rock formation and holds a hammer. A many-wheeled rover is parked behind them and in the distance, some habitat modules.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VXXB5BtWrRSepbY4YUpJNZ-320-80.jpg)
Handle Mars with care: Guidelines needed for responsible Red Planet exploration, experts say
By Leonard David published
A new study calls for "geoconservation" principles applied to space, so that astronauts exploring Mars and other cosmic bodies don't compromise future scientific work.
![a white rocket rolls down a road on its transporter with a blue sky in the background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QzdGW8XmLrWvyc2MStUTVP-320-80.jpg)
China to launch sample-return mission to the moon's far side on May 3
By Leonard David published
China reportedly plans to launch its Chang'e 6 sample-return mission toward the moon's mysterious far side on Friday (May 3).
![illustration of a white rocket in space with earth in the background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/57hJ8BVd9pe4xKhMwMqvTg-320-80.jpg)
Mars exploration, new rockets and more: Interview with ESA chief Josef Aschbacher
By Leonard David published
Space.com caught up with ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher recently to talk about Europe's space plans and priorities going forward.
![a white rocket launches into a blue sky](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/emzwKqQP6CTkXdFrGYm4fD-320-80.jpg)
Building rockets and looking for life on Venus: Q&A with Rocket Lab's Peter Beck
By Leonard David published
Space.com caught up with Rocket Lab founder and CEO Peter Beck recently to talk about the company's ambitious plans for the future, which include a private life-hunting mission to Venus.