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
![photo of a book cover whose title reads "challenger," with a blurry photo of the space shuttle launching in the background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5bUn5TYj5nJfjACS9XJPT7-320-80.jpg)
New York Times best-selling author revisits 1986 space shuttle tragedy in 'Challenger' (interview)
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Adam Higginbotham was out with his first book when he got the idea. "People often asked me whether I remembered where I was when I heard the news about Chernobyl." He didn't, but recalled Challenger.
![a white and orange four-wheeled lego rover sits on a small wooden table](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4FtcuccRWAA24qNzvGUkhW-320-80.jpg)
Lego rolls out details about Apollo lunar rover model coming in August
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Lego is gearing up to deliver a detailed model of the original "rock and rolling ride," the electric buggy driven by NASA's last three Apollo crews to explore the moon.
![the black silhouette of the international space station is seen against a green screen, with the outline of two hands beneath it](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/irrUfYFFaSwZdhMmucZbyV-320-80.jpg)
Houston, we have an encore: ISS virtual reality experience 'The Infinite' returns
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
What do you do for an encore after you have virtually transported thousands of Houstonians to the International Space Station? If you are Felix & Paul, you invite them back, to fly to the moon.
![closeup of a chocolate chip cookie inside a clear plastic case closed with rivets](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uPxMjkApmhSMDWEUQiJq33-320-80.jpg)
Historic space-baked cookie lands in the Smithsonian
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
It's been four years since it was made, but if you could smell it, you'd find it still retains the whiff of a DoubleTree Cookie. The first food item baked in space is now at the Smithsonian.
![a plush, colorful toy narwhal floats in zero gravity with two astronauts in blue flight suits in the background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4v4qSjVE5rChBb2qskR6tJ-320-80.jpg)
'Sparkly' narwhal toy trades sea for space as Boeing Starliner zero-g indicator
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
What has one horn, two crewmates and shares a name with its ride into orbit? "Calypso," the plush sequined narwhal that is flying on the crew flight test of "Calypso," Boeing's CST-100 Starliner.
![two circular space mission patches superimposed over a photo of the space shuttle launching at night](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cr9ggHugbmQcFhLcM42x6P-320-80.jpg)
1st woman to command a US spacecraft Eileen Collins 'signs' patch to inspire girls
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
A patch created to honor Eileen Collins, the first woman to command a U.S. spacecraft, features a geometric pattern representing the glow of her space shuttle lifting off into the night sky.
![long-distance view of a rocket standing on a launch pad with the ocean in the background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uJNMJsmuHXHp3Pi4oevYYV-320-80.jpg)
Boeing Starliner brings astronaut launches back to Atlas rocket and Cape Canaveral
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The launch of astronauts on a Boeing spacecraft will mark a first for the company, but will also bring human spaceflight back to a rocket and launch site after more than 50 years.
![an old man wearing a suit drapes a medal around the neck of a smiling woman in a blue dress.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/K9PM9qYPirUzzHECXUQy5R-320-80.jpg)
NASA astronaut and director Ellen Ochoa awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The first Hispanic woman to launch into space is now the second female astronaut to be awarded the United States' highest honor. Ellen Ochoa was bestowed with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
![a large van with a white space capsule and the words "cst-100 starliner" painted on its side rolls down a road toward a building with the nasa logo on it](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sL5MYqZoyoUxSpE6TMmZzL-320-80.jpg)
Their other vehicle is the Starliner: Boeing's 1st crew to ride Astrovan II to the launch pad
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
When Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams lift off for the ISS on May 6, they will become the first astronauts to fly on Boeing's CST-100 Starliner. But that's not their only new ride.
![a large white and silver rocket stands upright in a large hangar](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vfJzExUvPpqy6kCUY6FqVW-320-80.jpg)
Restored Atlas rocket erected on display as Mercury astronaut's ride to orbit
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Sixty-one years after it stood ready to send NASA's last one-man mission into orbit, the Mercury-Atlas 9 rocket is standing again. A replica is on display at the National Museum of the US Air Force.
![a pine tree sapling stands in front of an american flag and a blue nasa flag inside a white-walled room](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yZn4xWhFchsBj7W8SUSKkW-320-80.jpg)
NASA begins delivering 1st Artemis Moon Trees to be planted across United States
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The first woman slated to launch to the moon has delivered one of the first trees grown from seeds recently flown there. NASA astronaut Christina Koch presented an "Artemis 1 Moon Tree."
![two cosmonauts in white spacesuits work outside the international space station](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2gvkpSxqxTQDHzHvpaxbuk-320-80.jpg)
Russian cosmonauts make quick work of space station spacewalk
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub are back inside the International Space Station after just 4.5 hours outside.
![The new Lego Art The Milky Way Galaxy and Lego Icons NASA Artemis Space Launch System sets are aimed at adult space and Lego fans.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KPxYAwKW7VwUTACwMFaWZd-320-80.jpg)
Lego reveals NASA Artemis rocket, Milky Way galaxy sets coming in May
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Get ready space fans, Lego is about to launch two sets that can take you from the moon to edge of our cosmic neighborhood: Lego Icons NASA Artemis Space Launch System and Lego Art Milky Way Galaxy.
![six people in blue flight suits stand on a stage, each one holding a plaque](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KwcKWfY2TmctgTUw8Kz43h-320-80.jpg)
ESA graduates the 'Hoppers': Europeans, Australian pass astronaut basic training
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The "Hoppers" — five European astronauts and the first astronaut from the Australian Space Agency — are now ready to "hop" into their first flight assignments, having completed basic training.
![a smiling man with a mustache holds a clipboard](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gCw2YvUsNxCGfsHfpV7sRW-320-80.jpg)
Cosmonaut Muhammed Faris, first Syrian in space, dies at 72
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Muhammed Faris, who was the first cosmonaut from Syria and second Arab to fly into space, has died at the age of 72.
![A promotional poster for the first season for the alternate space history series "For All Mankind," showing two astronauts in spacesuits on the moon.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Rnn7KMwKru3FM8auucgXK4-320-80.jpg)
Alt-space history series 'For All Mankind' gets 5th season, new 'Star City' spinoff
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Apple TV+ is headed back to the past, and the future, with a fifth season of "For All Mankind" and new spinoff "Star City." Ronald D. Moore, Matt Wolpert and Ben Nedivi are returning to lead both.
![Artist's illustration showing a model of the James Webb Space Telescope on display in a museum, with people walking around it.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9w7EYyu53dveuwhoPDuN4-320-80.jpg)
James Webb Space Telescope full-size model to be displayed by Space Foundation
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
To see the premier astronomical observatory in its full-size glory, you need to go to Lagrange Point 2, a location farther away than anyone has traveled. Or, soon, you can visit Colorado.
![A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying 23 Starlink satellites launches from Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Friday, April 12, 2024.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ySqg5EisZVbdjghiMnc2b7-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX launches Starlink satellites on record 20th reflight of a Falcon 9 rocket first stage
By Robert Z. Pearlman last updated
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stage lifted off for a record-setting 20th time on Friday (April 12), sending 23 Starlink internet satellites to orbit.
![United Launch Alliance (ULA) has chronicled the origin story for its heavy-lift rocket, Vulcan-Centaur, in a comic book.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/axvN7As9hvXGtuzJQ5Ynp7-320-80.jpg)
ULA chronicles the rise of Vulcan rocket in new employee-drawn comic book
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Vulcan, United Launch Alliance's new heavy-lift rocket, was not the result of being exposed to gamma rays or the bite of a radioactive spider, but it does have an origin story worthy of a comic book.
![Channing Tatum and Ray Romano in the Launch Control Center in a scence from the new movie "Fly Me to the Moon."](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mdeL9BHzg24zFir55nTshS-320-80.jpg)
'Fly Me to the Moon' trailer mixes real-life Apollo history with moon landing hoax
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Watching the new trailer for the upcoming movie "Fly Me to the Moon" might leave you thinking that it is an entire work of fiction. And for the most part, you would be correct.
![CNN is airing "Space Shuttle Columbia: The Final Flight," a four-part documentary about the 2003 tragedy.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HLtgq4AMtRePwndv2fkBW-320-80.jpg)
'Space Shuttle Columbia: The Final Flight' documentary set to conclude on CNN
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
CNN is set to conclude airing a four-part series on space shuttle Columbia's ill-fated last return to Earth. "Space Shuttle Columbia: The Final Flight" airs on Sunday (April 14).
![black and white photo of a man inside a mock space capsule](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZcSCYwqiAuUb2qReBq2N65-320-80.jpg)
Soviet-era cosmonaut Vladimir Aksyonov, who flew into space twice, dies at 89
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Soviet-era cosmonaut Vladimir Aksyonov, who flew into space twice, has died at the age of 89. Aksyonov logged almost 12 days in space and orbited Earth 189 times.
![three men in suits and two astronauts wearing blue flight suits stand beside a model of a moon rover](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6sCWQXrgWk4A4cZkwyEzmE-320-80.jpg)
Japanese astronauts will join NASA moon landings in return for lunar rover
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The first non-American to walk on the moon will be a Japanese astronaut. Two JAXA astronauts will fly on future Artemis landing missions in return for Japan providing a pressurized moon rover.
![view of the dark shadow of a solar eclipse on earth, seen edge-on from orbit](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gHQ6MdyGAFZPAdsdzAMxhL-320-80.jpg)
Astronauts' photos capture April 8 solar eclipse from Earth orbit
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
As bucket list items go, seeing a total solar eclipse from space might seem like a tall order. But on Monday (April 8), Michael Barratt saw an eclipse from off the planet.
![The last Delta IV Heavy rocket lifts off April 9, 2024.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wfP6di8bxwGR9RepzeNSET-320-80.jpg)
'Heavy' history: ULA launches final Delta rocket after 64 years (video, photos)
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The liftoff of the last-ever Delta rocket today (April 9) brought with it a change in the way the U.S. sends satellites, interplanetary probes and spacecraft into Earth orbit.