
Robert Z. Pearlman
Robert Pearlman is a space historian, journalist and the founder and editor of collectSPACE.com, a daily news publication and community devoted to space history with a particular focus on how and where space exploration intersects with pop culture. Pearlman is also a contributing writer for Space.com and co-author of "Space Stations: The Art, Science, and Reality of Working in Space” published by Smithsonian Books in 2018.In 2009, he was inducted into the U.S. Space Camp Hall of Fame in Huntsville, Alabama. In 2021, he was honored by the American Astronautical Society with the Ordway Award for Sustained Excellence in Spaceflight History. In 2023, the National Space Club Florida Committee recognized Pearlman with the Kolcum News and Communications Award for excellence in telling the space story along the Space Coast and throughout the world.
Latest articles by Robert Z. Pearlman

Blue Origin launches 6 tourists on suborbital trip from Texas, including 750th person ever to fly into space
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Blue Origin, the spaceflight company founded by billionaire Jeff Bezos, launched its 13th crewed New Shepard rocket on a successful suborbital spaceflight on Sunday, June 29, 2025.

SpaceX sends two batches of Starlink satellites on Saturday doubleheader (video)
By Robert Z. Pearlman last updated
Two SpaceX Falcon 9 rockets lifted off with Starlink satellites on June 28, 2025. The first launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida and the second from Vandenberg Space Force Station in California.

The ups and downs of life in space | On the ISS this week June 23 - 27, 2025
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The Axiom Mission-4 (Ax-4) crew flying aboard SpaceX's Dragon "Grace" docked to the International Space Station beginning a two-week stay on the orbiting laboratory with the Expedition 73 crew.

From the Cape to the constellation: SpaceX launches 27 more Starlink satellites (video)
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
SpaceX launched a batch of 27 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Wednesday, June 25, 2025.

With 'Grace': Astronauts name SpaceX's final Dragon crew capsule
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The last Dragon spacecraft that SpaceX plans to build entered orbit for the first time with "grace." Reaching space on the new capsule, Ax-4 commander Peggy Whitson revealed the spacecraft's name.

SpaceX launches 27 Starlink satellites from Florida (video)
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying 27 Starlink satellites was launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Monday, June 23, 2025.

When it comes to auroras, pink is the new white, astronaut says | On the ISS this week June 16 - 20, 2025
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
With the arrival of a visiting crew still delayed, science and maintenance work on board the International Space Station continued to fill the Expedition 73 crew's week.

SpaceX sends 28 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit on launch from Florida (video)
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched 28 Starlink internet satellites into low Earth orbit from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Wednesday, June 18, 2025.

Nat Geo documentary 'SALLY,' about the 1st US woman in space, now streaming on Disney+ & Hulu
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
You can now watch the award-winning documentary "SALLY" about the first American woman in space, Sally Ride, on Disney+ and Hulu.

SpaceX launch from California sends 26 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit (video)
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket placed 26 Starlink internet broadband satellites into low Earth orbit, lifting off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on June 16, 2025.

ULA launching Amazon's 2nd batch of Kuiper internet satellites today: Watch live!
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Amazon's Kuiper 2 mission is set to lift off on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket today (June 16), and you can watch the launch live online.

Space humbles the SEAL-doctor-astronaut | On the ISS this week June 9-13, 2025
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
With this week's expected arrival of a visiting crew delayed, science and maintenance work on board the International Space Station was lighter than usual for the Expedition 73 crew.

SpaceX adds 23 satellites to Starlink megaconstellation after launch from Florida
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Less than a day after its last batch reached low Earth orbit, SpaceX again added to its Starlink megaconstellation on Friday, June 13, 2025.

500 Falcon missions! SpaceX sends 26 Starlink satellites to orbit on landmark launch
By Robert Z. Pearlman last updated
SpaceX sent 26 Starlink internet satellites to orbit from California Thursday (June 12), on the 500th overall completed mission for the company's Falcon family of rockets.

Astronauts track huge dust clouds over Canada and US | On the ISS this week June 2-6, 2025
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Preparations for the arrival of a visiting crew, the continued study of how humans adapt to microgravity and more highlight the sixth week of Expedition 73 on the International Space Station.

Marc Garneau, 1st Canadian astronaut to fly into space, dies at 76
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The first Canadian astronaut to fly into space, Marc Garneau, died on June 4, 2025 at the age of 76. In addition to his three launches, Garneau also led the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).

'Joy,' a plush baby swan, will launch with Axiom Mission-4 crew as zero-g indicator
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
When an international crew of astronauts launch on a commercial space mission, they will be joined by a स्वैन, a łabędź or a hattyú. Or, in English, a swan.

60 years ago, Ed White went out for walk | Space photo of the day for June 3, 2025
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
NASA astronaut Ed White is seen floating above Earth in the vacuum of space during the first American spacewalk on June 3, 1965.

SpaceX launches 23 more Starlink satellites from Florida (video)
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched 23 satellites for the company's Starlink constellation from Cape Canaveral, Florida on June 3, 2025.

Two space vets added to Astronaut Hall of Fame as one awaits launch
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame just held its annual induction ceremony, but one of this year's two honorees could not attend for a reason unique to all past enshrinements.

Incredible auroras delight stargazers in New Zealand | Space photo of the day for June 2, 2025
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Aurora Australisa, or the "southern lights" was on full display on June 1, 2025, as spectators outside Christchurch, New Zealand witnessed firsthand.

SpaceX adds 27 Starlink satellites to constellation after successful launch from California (video)
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off with 27 Starlink internet broadband satellites from southern California on Saturday, May 31, 2025.

Blue Origin launches 1st New Zealander to reach space, 5 others on latest New Shepard suborbital flight (video)
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Blue Origin completed its 12th human spaceflight today (May 31), flying six passengers on a 10-minute trip beyond the Karman Line and back.

A fireball over desert mountains | Space photo of the day for May 30, 2025
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
A brilliant meteor streak is captured as it plunges through Earth's atmosphere over Kitt Peak National Observatory in Tucson, Arizona.

Behind the camera: Astronauts talk with students from space station | Space photo of the day for May 29, 2025
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Takuya Onishi spoke with students from the International Space Station on May 20, 2025, in a behind-the-camera view.
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