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
Massive 'lighthouses' on the moon could light the way for future lunar astronauts
By Leonard David published
Honeybee Robotics has a plan to build massive lighthouses on the moon to provide light, power and communications infrastructure as part of a plan to develop a lunar economy.
Why is there so much military interest in the moon?
By Leonard David published
The United States' use of military agencies such as DARPA to develop emerging technologies for the moon could be sending a wrong message.
China's Chang'e 5 moon samples, beyond NASA's reach for years, are finally available to US scientists
By Leonard David published
For the first time, NASA-funded researchers can apply for access to lunar samples collected by China's Chang'e-5 mission.
Can a private space mission pierce Venus's clouds?
By Leonard David published
Amid uncertainty over space agencies’ plans for future Venus exploration, enthusiasm for a private-sector mission grows.
China eyes additional modules for Tiangong space station
By Leonard David published
China will launch an extension module at an appropriate time and upgrade the basic configuration of the space station from the current 'T' shape to a cross shape.
Russia's long-duration space journey on Earth put 6 people in isolation for a year
By Leonard David published
Russia kicked off another one of its simulated missions this week, this time a 360-day isolation of individuals to imitate flight conditions of a deep space journey.
The Apollo program continues to inspire 'moonshots' in the 21st century
By Leonard David published
While landing humans on the moon was indeed historic and the boot-kicked lunar dust has settled, perhaps that achievement had more of an impact on society than we realized.
New Japanese spacecraft aims to explore the mysterious moons of Mars
By Leonard David published
Japan's planned Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) spacecraft mission involves drilling and sampling Mars' moon Phobos, then rocketing the samples to Earth.
If the Perseverance rover found evidence of life on Mars, would we recognize it?
By Leonard David published
NASA's Perseverance rover is scurrying around on the Red Planet, wheeling and dealing around Jezero Crater and inspecting the site of this former lake up close.
Unidentified anomalous phenomena: Hot spots and the quest for better UFO data
By Leonard David published
For many anxious to throw light on unidentified anomalous phenomena, it's all about reliable, truth-revealing, and scientifically rigorous data collection.
Chinese astronomers say their new space telescope will outdo Hubble
By Leonard David published
China's upcoming Xuntian, or Chinese Space Station Telescope (CSST), will orbit near the nation's Tiangong space station and provide high-definition panoramic views of the universe.
Microphones in space: Why scientists want to listen in on alien worlds
By Leonard David published
Based on the valuable scientific contributions microphones have made aboard the Perseverance Mars rover, it's time to turn up the volume on microphones for extra-planetary exploration.
OSIRIS-REx's Dante Lauretta shares final preparations for Sept. 24 asteroid-sample return
By Leonard David published
NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission will see a sample of an asteroid return to Earth on Sept. 24. Here's how the mission's head scientist feels about the chances of success.
Taking out the trash: Here's how private companies could be vital for space debris removal
By Leonard David published
Space debris is becoming a major issue for both private companies and space agencies. But estimates of how much troublesome litter is actually in orbit are daunting and tricky to make.
What does the Luna-25 moon lander crash mean for Russia's lunar exploration plans?
By Leonard David published
The first domestically produced moon probe in modern Russia history, Luna-25 was important in both political and scientific terms. The implications of its failure are likely to be considerable.
Russia launches Luna-25 moon lander, its 1st lunar probe in 47 years
By Leonard David published
Russia reignited its moon exploration program today (Aug. 10), sending the Luna-25 lander toward Earth's nearest neighbor.
How European satellite's landmark demise can aid the fight against space junk
By Leonard David published
Mission scientists and engineers took on the tricky task of targeting a remote stretch of the Atlantic Ocean for the reentry of Europe's Aeolus satellite.
Moon mining gains momentum as private companies plan for a lunar economy
By Leonard David published
A number of entrepreneurial groups have shared their strategies to turn the moon into a hustle and bustle world of marketable services.
How will space tourism be impacted by the Titan submersible tragedy?
By Leonard David published
That ill-fated dive of the Titan submersible and loss of its deep ocean exploring occupants has sparked conversation and debate in the world of public space travel.
The US Congress is holding UFO hearings today. What might we learn?
By Leonard David last updated
The chorus of voices calling for the U.S. government to spill the beans on possible alien visitation of Earth is louder than ever. But are we ready for such a revelation?
Asteroid sample incoming: OSIRIS-REx team preps for September landing of Bennu bits
By Leonard David published
Recovery teams are gearing up for the Sept. 24 landing of OSIRIS-REx's asteroid sample in the Utah desert.
Russia's Luna-25 moon lander reaches launch site for August 11 liftoff
By Leonard David published
Luna-25, the first spacecraft from modern Russia to head for the moon, has arrived at Vostochny Cosmodrome in the country's far east ahead of a planned August 11 launch.
This NASA probe has been revealing stunning moon views for 14 years. How long will it last?
By Leonard David published
Over the 14 years since its launch, the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has produced images and data proven that have transformed our understanding of the moon. But how much longer can the orbiter last?
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