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
Could Weird Lunar Swirls Help People Settle the Moon?
By Leonard David last updated
These strange features on the moon are associated with magnetic anomalies and may therefore help shield astronauts from radiation, some researchers say.
China's Huge, Alien-Hunting Radio Telescope Is Finishing Its Testing Phase
By Leonard David published
China's giant, alien-hunting radio telescope is finishing its testing-and-commissioning phase, which has occurred over the past three years.
Japanese Asteroid Probe Tests Ion Engine for Journey Home to Earth
By Leonard David published
A recent test of the ion engine that powers Japan's Hayabusa2 spacecraft went well, clearing the hardware for full-on operations soon, mission team members announced late last week.
Will 2020 Be the Year We Find Intelligent Alien Life?
By Leonard David published
Is 2020 the celestial payoff year, in which astronomers finally confirm a "technosignature" coming from an advanced alien civilization?
China's Microsatellite Crash Site on the Moon Spotted by NASA Lunar Orbiter
By Leonard David published
A NASA spacecraft circling the moon has spotted the scar left by a Chinese satellite's impact.
Watch China Simulate a Mars Landing for 2020 Mission to Red Planet (Video)
By Leonard David published
China just tested out its brand-new facility for simulating Mars landings, marking a big step in the nation's planned march to the Red Planet.
LightSail Solar Sail Ends Test Flight with Fall Back to Earth
By Leonard David last updated
The Planetary Society’s impressive solar sail experiment has re-entered Earth’s atmosphere. Following its deployment in Earth orbit on May 20, LightSail-A deployed its solar sail on June 7.
Moon Dust Could Be a Problem for Future Lunar Explorers
By Leonard David published
Explorers and tourists on the moon will have to deal with lunar dust, which is abrasive and pervasive.
This is the 1st Photo of China's Mars Explorer Launching in 2020
By Leonard David published
NASA's 2024 Moon Goal: Q&A with Human Landing System Chief Lisa Watson-Morgan
By Leonard David published
A NASA official discusses how the agency plans to pull off the ambitious landing plan.
NASA Moon Orbiter Fails to Spot India's Lunar Lander: Report
By Leonard David published
NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) has reportedly failed to spot India’s Chandrayaan-2 lunar lander, which apparently crashed during its Sept. 6 touchdown attempt.
US Air Force Begins 2019 Space Wargame
By Leonard David published
The United States Air Force Space Command began conducting the 13th Schriever Wargame at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama yesterday (Sept. 4).
At the Moon, India's Chandrayaan-2 Spacecraft Poised to Release Lunar Lander
By Leonard David published
India's Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft at the moon successfully completed its fifth and final lunar orbit maneuver today (Sept. 1), setting the stage for the release of the country's first lunar lander.
US Military Eyes Strategic Value of Earth-Moon Space
By Leonard David published
The protection of trade routes and lines of communication are traditional military responsibilities, and this will continue to be true as cislunar space becomes "high ground."
Europe and Russia Have ExoMars Parachute Problems. It Could Threaten the 2020 Mars Launch
By Leonard David published
The mission, which is scheduled to launch in July 2020, has suffered failures in two recent parachute tests.
A Tiny Chinese Lunar Orbiter Just Crashed on the Moon's Far Side (on Purpose)
By Leonard David published
China's tiny lunar orbiter Longjiang-2, also known as DSLWP-B, crashed intentionally into the moon's far side on July 31, according to media reports.
Living Underground on the Moon: How Lava Tubes Could Aid Lunar Colonization
By Leonard David published
Colonists could avoid the harsh environment of the lunar surface by living in subterranean lava tubes. But researchers first need to learn more about these curious structures.
Here's What Neil Armstrong Saw As He Landed Apollo 11's Eagle on the Moon
By Leonard David published
Now you can see what Neil Armstrong saw as he landed the Apollo 11 lunar module, known as the Eagle, on the surface of the moon on July 20, 1969.
Is the US Air Force's Secretive X-37B Space Plane Headed for New Record?
By Leonard David published
The secretive mission of the U.S. Air Force X-37B mini-space plane has winged past 670 days of flight – just 48 days shy from setting a long duration record for the program.
India Gearing Up to Launch 2nd Moon Mission This Weekend
By Leonard David published
Chandrayaan-2, which consists of an orbiter, lander and rover, is scheduled to launch Sunday evening (July 14).
Mysterious X-37B Military Space Plane Caught on Camera (Photo)
By Leonard David published
Skywatcher and satellite tracker Ralf Vandebergh recently caught a rare glimpse of the U.S. Air Force's secretive vehicle doing its thing in orbit.
Happy UFO Day! Here Are the States With the Most Sightings
By Leonard David published
Analysts at SatelliteInternet.com used data from the National UFO Reporting Center and the US Census to determine you might have a higher likelihood of spotting a UFO in the US.
UFOs Remain Elusive Despite Decades of Study
By Leonard David published
In July, the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) celebrates 50 years of investigating and promoting research about unidentified flying objects. Do we know any more now than we did in 1969?