Robert Z. Pearlman
Robert Pearlman is a space historian, journalist and the founder and editor of collectSPACE.com, an online 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. He previously developed online content for the National Space Society and Apollo 11 moonwalker Buzz Aldrin, helped establish the space tourism company Space Adventures and currently serves on the History Committee of the American Astronautical Society, the advisory committee for The Mars Generation and leadership board of For All Moonkind. 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.
Latest articles by Robert Z. Pearlman
![a well-dressed woman shakes hands with a bald man in a suit while a well-dressed woman looks on](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gryDDgG2v3WaQc2a3FCBr8-320-80.jpg)
Former astronaut Mark Kelly on shortlist for Harris' VP pick
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, a former NASA astronaut, is on Vice President Kamala Harris' shortlist to be her running mate as she pursues becoming the next president of the United States.
![photo of a laptop screen and smartphone screen, both of which read "destination: space" with earth in the background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hXYS7dyr8CbMQE7sRQpvEo-320-80.jpg)
Where to? Space: Tripadvisor publishes 1st off-Earth travel review
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
After helping millions of people plan their trips around the world, Tripadvisor is ready to do the same for those looking to travel beyond Earth. "Destination Space" is focused on space tourism.
![Rocket Row, part of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center's Rocket Park in Huntsville, Alabama is standing again after six years.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DM4TUiWVeUYo9PAtMDduS5-320-80.jpg)
Rocket Row ribbon cutting marks return of Alabama rocket center's 'spaceline'
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Some cities have skylines. Huntsville, Alabama has a "spaceline." Or so it does again with the restoration of "Rocket Row" at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center.
![The International Space Station, as seen from a departing SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, in November 2021.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UPb2g8zVXssB8Q8edePAUT-320-80.jpg)
NASA looking at what artifacts to preserve from space station before 2030 demise
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Two years after stating there were no plans to save artifacts from the end of the International Space Station, NASA is in the early stages of identifying what small parts of the complex to preserve.
![The United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) is issuing six se-tenant postage stamps depicting six countries' lunar orbiter or landing missions in commemoration of International Moon Day on July 20, 2024](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WkLShp9UPLfBafeYxWdtAb-320-80.jpg)
United Nations marks Apollo 11 55th with international moon missions stamps
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Photos of the moon captured by American, Russian, European, Japanese, Indian, Korean and Chinese spacecraft are the subject of new United Nations stamps for the 55th anniversary of Apollo 11.
![Building 12 at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston has been named the "Dorothy Vaughan Center in Honor of the Women of Apollo" on the 55th anniversary of the first moon landing.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/A5zS7yEF4Nt5jkuQkSADx-320-80.jpg)
NASA marks moon landing anniversary by dedicating building to 'women of Apollo'
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
NASA is honoring 'hidden figure' Dorothy Vaughan and all of the women who contributed to the Apollo program with the naming of a building at the Johnson Space Center in Houston.
![Kelly Jones (Scarlett Johansson) reveals product ads designed to sell the public on NASA's moon landings in a scene from the new movie "Fly Me ot the Moon."](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GQQ7KMMugLZmLsYdUgEJDS-320-80.jpg)
Omega, Tang and Fruit of the Loom: The real and fake ads in 'Fly Me to the Moon'
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
"Brands get a tie-in money can't buy and NASA works its way into the minds of everyday people." That is the pitch made by Kelly Jones (Scarlett Johansson) in the new movie "Fly Me to the Moon."
![NASA's official insignia, nicknamed the "meatball," as worn on the moon by Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong in 1969.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/aJod4x6oaRXakp6SRjWtFh-320-80.jpg)
'Meatball' milestone: NASA's original logo still soars after 65 years
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
One of the world's best known and certainly most-traveled logos is 65 years old. The NASA insignia has adorned t-shirts and spacesuits, been reproduced 10 stories tall and reached the moon and Mars.
![photo of a movie set designed to look like the apollo 11 moon landing, complete with a moon lander and two spacesuited astronauts](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GF9XAFfQU9tY4YQhJSrKHf-320-80.jpg)
'Fly Me to the Moon' director on faking the real and fake moon landing (interview)
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
For his new movie "Fly Me to the Moon," director Greg Berlanti faked the historic first moon landing. But fear not, space fans, that does not mean what you might think it means.
![a smiling man in a blue shirt sits inside the space shuttle, surrounded by equipment](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nAH34HuY4Jbg8dWmYKEkA7-320-80.jpg)
Joe Engle, X-15 rocket plane and space shuttle astronaut, dies at 91
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Joe Engle, the first astronaut to fly in space on two different winged vehicles, has died at the age of 91. Engle's first flights into space on the X-15 preceded his launching on the space shuttle.
![an actress in a spacesuit talks to a woman in a black leather jacket on a movie set](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5mgZdaNqDJQqzRgJAzCofT-320-80.jpg)
'Space Cadet' applies humor to NASA astronaut selection, says film director (interview)
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Right now, NASA astronauts are helping to review thousands of applications to join their ranks. Chances are none of the submissions are from the likes of Tiffany "Rex" Simpson in "Space Cadet."
![closeup of two silver pouches containing astronaut ice cream](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qLPt3rdMt6KJgu59YzD55m-320-80.jpg)
Astronaut ice cream turns 50: freeze-dried treat still popular (even if it never flew)
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Perhaps the most popular example of space food that possibly never was, astronaut ice cream is now 50 years old. The crunchy, room-temperature treat was first sold to the public in 1974.
![a silver cylindrical spacecraft inside a large white-walled room](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mA6zcRABHFNLmq8X8eXgib-320-80.jpg)
Northrop Grumman names Cygnus cargo craft for fallen Challenger commander
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Francis Richard "Dick" Scobee, the NASA commander of the ill-fated flight of space shuttle Challenger, is being remembered by Northrop Grumman with the naming of a space station cargo spacecraft.
![a man in jeans and a jacket stands in a parking lot with about 20 people wearing multicolored aprons surrounding him](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/AJVzsfci4Qe2EQm2mpGFFT-320-80.jpg)
'Great Food Truck Race' blasts off on 17th season with stop at NASA
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
"The Great Food Truck Race" lifted off for its 17th season by touching down at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Chef Tyler Florence welcomed nine teams to the "Blast Off Challenge."
![a charred space capsule on display in a museum](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nzyngwekLFt4Xe7s9hJLZj-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX Dragon capsule on display ahead of joining space shuttle LA exhibit
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
What do you do when your star space shuttle is under wraps and out of view from the public for the next few years? If you are the California Science Center, you land another spacecraft.
![closeup of a gray brick against a dark background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HK5daD3PmgUUoGgXNdzQkj-320-80.jpg)
'ESA Space Bricks' landing at Lego Stores could help build real Artemis moon base
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Scientists found the building bricks for moon bases in the toy store, and you can see them there, too. ESA researchers discovered more than inspiration from Lego while working on Artemis structures.
![black and white photo of a smiling man in a spacesuit](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZUbhLt8ymysMKb8o9Z7kKm-320-80.jpg)
Soviet-era cosmonaut Vyacheslav Zudov, who survived only Soyuz splashdown, dies
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Soviet-era cosmonaut Vyacheslav Zudov, whose failed Soyuz 23 docking with Russia's Salyut 5 space station ended with the first and only emergency splashdown on board a Soyuz spacecraft, has died.
![closeup of a child playing with legos on a blue table](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/C4ghKfyyprcX2RY8iud5cb-320-80.jpg)
'Needs more aliens': Lego designer on kids' view of space as an endless playground (exclusive)
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
In an exclusive interview with Space.com, Lego senior design manager Dan Meehan discusses the role 'space storytellers' have had on shaping the company's new space-themed sets.
![a model of a yellow, wheel-shaped space station on display at a museum](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TDycvC7MoJKmvCETQKaeZe-320-80.jpg)
New space stations exhibit invites public to find 'Home Beyond Earth'
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
An exhibit about space stations turns the focus from how astronauts live in space to how millions of people may do so in the future. The cultural implications are explored at The Museum of Flight.
![a man in a white flight suit is seen inside a space capsule](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mYXyi3ko2Y5GRCEANrs2FU-320-80.jpg)
Apollo 8 astronaut Bill Anders, who captured 'Earthrise,' killed in plane crash
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Bill Anders, who as an Apollo 8 astronaut was one of the first people to fly to the moon in 1968, was killed on June 7 when the vintage plane he was piloting crashed off the coast of Washington.
![a man in a blue flight suit points to a tiny tree in the ground while speaking at a podium outdoors](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/p5aSVCHCj43PdWYLMY3Gbn-320-80.jpg)
'Most unique tree here:' Artemis Moon Tree planted at US Capitol
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Reid Wiseman felt a little jealous about the tree that he and his crewmates helped dedicate on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol. The NASA astronaut was, in a way, beaten to the moon by the sapling.
![twenty-two well-dressed people wearing medals stand on a stage surrounded by potted plants](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/R9a96vG4ja2cQf4SNbyimA-320-80.jpg)
Space shuttle fliers David Hilmers, Marsha Ivins enter Astronaut Hall of Fame
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
This year's U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame induction ceremony was a reunion of sorts, as honorees David Hilmers and Marsha Ivins took the stage under Atlantis, the shuttle on which they crossed paths.
![photo of a smiling man in an orange flight suit, superimposed over a blown-up image of a diary entry written in hebrew](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Ap24WTgF7pFXx5ARvru38o-320-80.jpg)
Astronaut's diary found among fallen Columbia space shuttle debris added to National Library of Israel
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The journal pages of Israel's first astronaut have been added to the country's national library, more than 20 years after they were found among the debris from the tragedy that claimed his life.
![a white space capsule on display in a museum, with several people nearby](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9noZxXgBACeXKMmBuPBHcB-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX Dragon joins Mercury and Apollo capsules on display in Chicago
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
A twice-flown SpaceX capsule has debuted at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, next to a Mercury spacecraft and an Apollo command module.
![The new Lego Icons NASA Artemis Space Launch System set has hidden details as part of its 3,601-piece build.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3vqcpMTjqX7BpP6PDWu9e-320-80.jpg)
From tails to (umbilical) arms, the hidden details in Lego's new Artemis SLS rocket
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
What do two dinosaur tails, four beehives and 88 faucets have to do with a rocket designed to fly astronauts to the moon? They are hidden details in the Lego Icons NASA Artemis Space Launch System.