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
Tour China's 'Mars yard' for its Tianwen-1 rover mission (video)
By Leonard David published
China has built a testing ground for its first Mars mission, Tianwen-1, which launched to the Red Planet in July and aims to land a rover on the surface in April 2021.
Russia gearing up to launch moon mission in 2021
By Leonard David published
Russia's Luna-25 moon lander is starting to come together ahead of its planned launch next year.
China's Tianwen-1 Mars rover mission gets a boost from international partners
By Leonard David published
China's bid to explore Mars involves several other nations for tracking, orbital relay of data and science instrument support.
NASA's inspector general raises questions with cost management of Orion spacecraft
By Leonard David published
The OIG determined that Orion, the next-gen capsule that will carry NASA astronauts to the moon and other deep-space destinations, has continued to experience cost increases and schedule delays.
How the coronavirus pandemic can help us prepare for an asteroid impact
By Leonard David published
The emergency preparedness activities now underway to combat the coronavirus pandemic offer insight about our readiness to deal with a dangerous incoming asteroid, experts say.
Ready, SETI, go: Is there a race to contact E.T.?
By Leonard David published
Researchers using China's huge new FAST radio telescope are piecing together a technological strategy to carry out a major and sweeping search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI).
'PANOSETI' prototypes: Ambitious alien-hunting project deploys 1st two telescopes
By Leonard David last updated
The first two prototype telescopes for the ambitious PANOSETI project are up and running.
How amateur satellite trackers are keeping an 'eye' on objects around the Earth
By Leonard David published
Around the planet, a loosely knit but closely woven band of amateurs monitor the whereabouts of satellites — be they secretive spacecraft, rocket stages, orbital debris or lost space probes.
China wants a piece of the moon. Here's how it plans to handle lunar samples.
By Leonard David last updated
A glimpse into China's readiness to handle samples from the moon reveals steps to be taken for storage, processing and preparation of the specimens.
Could Mars samples brought to Earth pose a threat to our planet? What the coronavirus (and 'Andromeda Strain') can teach us.
By Leonard David last updated
NASA and the European Space Agency plan to haul pristine Mars samples to Earth in the near future. Should we worry about a possible 'Andromeda Strain' scenario?
'See you in orbit?' New book tackles the enduring dream of public spaceflight
By Leonard David last updated
In "See You In Orbit? Our Dream Of Spaceflight," former NASA manager Alan Ladwig takes a look back at the missions and milestones in developing public spaceflight opportunities.
How will NASA deal with the moon dust problem for Artemis lunar landings?
By Leonard David published
Scientists and engineers are trying to work out ways to tamp down lunar dust so billowing clouds don't pose a problem to astronauts landing on the moon in 2024.
A capital debate: Should Earth's natural satellite be 'Moon' or 'moon'?
By Leonard David published
Planetary scientists and linguistic style makers don't agree about how to write the name of Earth's nearest neighbor.
Coronavirus fears have shuttered one physics meeting. Here's how space conferences could respond
By Leonard David published
The spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus is beginning to affect major upcoming space and science gatherings.
What can the coronavirus outbreak teach us about bringing Mars samples back to Earth?
By Leonard David published
A new virus called SARS-CoV-2 is a coronavirus that has caused an outbreak of a disease called COVID-19. But what does that have to do with Mars?
Scientists eye the Martian underground in search for alien life
By Leonard David last updated
While the cold, dry, radiation-blasted surface of Mars is widely considered to be uninhabitable, the subsurface may be a very different story.
Space Force: What will the new military branch actually do?
By Leonard David published
The Space Force has been officially established, but it's still unclear exactly what the organization will do.
NASA's Mars 2020 rover photobombed by mysterious 'High Bay Bob' in sunglasses
By Leonard David last updated
Actor George Clooney Using Satellites as Sentinels of Sudanese Rights
By Leonard David last updated
Actor George Clooney is leading a project to use satellites to aid Sudan humanitarian causes.
Are the aliens us? UFOs may be piloted by time-traveling humans, book argues
By Leonard David last updated
The great distances covered by visiting "aliens" may be ones of time rather than space, a recent book argues.
On Far Side of the Moon, Chinese Lander and Rover Hit One-Year Mark
By Leonard David published
China hit a historic milestone on the moon Friday (Jan. 3) as its Chang'e 4 lander and rover celebrated their first full year exploring the lunar far side.
An Astronaut Got a Blood Clot in Space. Here's How Doctors on Earth Fixed It.
By Leonard David published
An unidentified astronaut aboard the International Space Station had a deep vein thrombosis — or blood clot — in the jugular vein of their neck, according to a new case study.
China Prepping for Comeback Launch of Heavy-Lift Long March 5 Rocket Friday
By Leonard David published
The launch will be the third ever for the Long March 5, and the first since a July 2017 liftoff ended in failure.