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
![Expedition 70 crew members Jeanette Epps, Tracy Dyson, Michael Barratt, Loral O'Hara and Oleg Kononenko model eclipse glasses ahead of the April 8 total solar eclipse over North America.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qwwY6iLFDNTAC5b4xi7oyk-320-80.jpg)
In space and on Earth, where astronauts will view the April 8 solar eclipse
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
As a total solar eclipse crosses North America, seven people in space will see the spectacle from orbit. At the same time, more than 30 astronauts will be at events celebrating the sight.
![closeup of a six-wheeled white moon rover transformer toy with the words "jaxa" and "toyota" written on its side, in front of the box it's sold in.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Y4onsuwgmkj7jNE28B7qbE-320-80.jpg)
JAXA and Toyota's 'Lunar Cruiser' moon rover is now a Transformers toy
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Japan's proposal for a moon rover is "more than meets the eye." A new model of JAXA's Lunar Cruiser not only replicates the Toyota transport, but can also transform into Optimus Prime.
![The Intrepid Museum's largest temporary exhibition, "Apollo: When We Went to the Moon" is staged under the display of the prototype space shuttle orbit Enterprise.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/SQitVpES7CDivgEdtMNuHH-320-80.jpg)
'Apollo: When We Went to the Moon' exhibit lands at NYC's Intrepid Museum
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Given it was navy ships that recovered the Apollo spacecraft, it is appropriate that the largest temporary exhibit ever hosted by the Intrepid is themed to the first lunar landings.
![two men and a woman in blue polo shirts sit at a table with a photo of earth as seen from space in the background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2Aamu9UC2wry4qK4dw4rd3-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX Crew-7 astronauts share the good and bad of spending 6 months in space
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli, European Space Agency astronaut Andreas Mogensen and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Satoshi Furukawa spoke about their six months on the space station.
![A mission patch is seen with an embroidered rocket and words saying "Crew Flight Test" and "Starliner Boeing NASA."](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/52GVNHKVdqJXQDs5GbwgD-320-80.jpg)
Astronauts' mementos packed on Boeing Starliner for crew flight test
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
A NASA astronaut who had the honor of naming her spacecraft will fly items inspired by that name when she launches to the International Space Station.
![a rocket launches under a cloudy evening sky above a plume of fire of smoke](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2qifC88n7heAxeqF3cfGPj-320-80.jpg)
1st Belarusian woman reaches space on ISS-bound Soyuz launch (video)
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
For the first time, a spacecraft has lifted off with a flight attendant aboard. Marina Vasilevskaya of Belarus, Oleg Novitsky of Roscosmos and NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson launched on Soyuz MS-25.
![a man in a white flight suit inside a cramped spacecraft capsule filled with screens and wires](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vjqUkRzRofzvfL5HxE8rdB-320-80.jpg)
Thomas Stafford, NASA astronaut who led Apollo-Soyuz joint mission, dies at 93
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Former NASA astronaut Thomas Stafford, who flew to the moon before leading the first international space mission carried out by the United States and Russia, has died at the age of 93.
![photo of a multicolored LEGO rover on a shiny table against a purple and blue cosmic-themed backdrop](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/EY2FUmhT5cXksTnGSoxuNV-320-80.jpg)
New Lego Technic Mars Crew Exploration Rover is sci-fi but built with NASA's help
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Lego and NASA have a long history of collaborating, but the release of the Technic Mars Crew Exploration Rover launched the partnership in a new direction, both for the toy company and space agency.
![a triangular silver object etched with a variety of symbols is shown against a black background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2xKkaZtCLHWevTWhNRnzm7-320-80.jpg)
Water-themed plaque to fly on Europa Clipper to Jupiter's icy ocean moon
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
NASA's Europa Clipper spacecraft, which is dedicated to studying Jupiter's icy ocean moon, will carry with it a metal plaque etched with the ripples created by the many ways humans say "water."
![twelve people in blue flight suits stand on a stage and wave to an unseen crowd](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qmTX9EZYNicfjH6yWmupYi-320-80.jpg)
NASA graduates new astronaut class as it begins recruiting for more
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
"The Flies" are ready to fly, so NASA is in need of some new flyboys (and gals). As the space agency welcomed its latest astronauts into its corps, NASA announced it is again accepting applications.
![a plush dog floats among four astronauts in white spacesuits in a white spacecraft capsule](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6iEZNqXfUM4W88SkgFQYD5-320-80.jpg)
Crew-8's 'family dog' plush is SpaceX's latest zero-g indicator
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Three American astronauts, a Russian cosmonaut and a small English Springer Spaniel plush doll are now on their way to the International Space Station.
![closeup of a small black rock sitting on a silver tray](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mJfPBLYgq22ApPvKBJkiHn-320-80.jpg)
Rare OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample debuts at Space Center Houston
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Move over, moon rocks! Space Center Houston has a new type of space stone in its showcase: a sample of the asteroid Bennu.
![on a movie set, an actor is held aloft by a crane to make him look as if he was floating in a cramped space station corridor](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8fMnTgUfwXcCQ52t3Kx5SP-320-80.jpg)
Adam Sandler's 'Spaceman' used NASA artifacts to create sci-fi film's spaceship
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
There is a scene in "Spaceman" where Adam Sandler, playing a Czech astronaut, floats by a brown duffle bag. What sets the bag apart is that it is an authentic piece of space equipment.
![nine smiling people stand in a poorly lit, cluttered hallway](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eBxKuvqKrRmca9bxmX5TVM-320-80.jpg)
Astronaut Scott Kelly on advising Apple's new space thriller 'Constellation'
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Scott Kelly recently returned to the International Space Station during a trip to Berlin. The replica was built for the off-Earth scenes in "Constellation," the psychological thriller on Apple TV+.
![a man in a dark shirt holds what looks like a cordless phone inside the cockpit of a spacecraft](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2omKdwU6W4dcGhxXuuk8So-320-80.jpg)
Richard Truly, space shuttle astronaut and NASA administrator, dies at 86
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Richard "Dick" Truly, who was one of the first astronauts to fly on the space shuttle and later led NASA as administrator, has died at the age of 86.
![people wearing VR glasses walk inside a white hallway](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5tr9dh7pY5iKhXVHckFcnE-320-80.jpg)
Apollo astronaut's granddaughter opens immersive 'Lunar Light' moonwalk experience in Dallas
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
What do you get when you mix an Apollo astronaut's legacy with a trio of shipping containers, VR technology, the cousin of a 'Star Wars' robot and an escape room? A chance to go to the moon.
![closeup photo of a reticulated gold and black fabric, next to a photo of a robotic moon lander](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tsuXV54TMZ6fRTkVut3J56-320-80.jpg)
Lunar lining: Columbia coat tech insulates Intuitive Machines' newly launched moon lander
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
A technology used to protect the first astronauts to land on the moon is on its way back to the lunar surface, and you may already have some of it in your coat closet.
![a man in an orange spacesuit poses for a portrait; inset is a hexagonal patch showing a spacecraft around the moon and the Canadian flag](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/i6tQMEygnf963KGCTTPmfe-320-80.jpg)
Canadian astronaut reveals Indigenous art patch for Artemis 2 moon mission
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The first Canadian who will fly to the moon, Jeremy Hansen, now has a patch to represent his own mission, as well as the knowledge passed on by his country's original explorers.
![portraits of two people in blue NASA flight suits in front of American flags](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xeRidtNZsdGB8HAy7fdtEQ-320-80.jpg)
Astronaut Hall of Fame to add shuttle vets David Hilmers and Marsha Ivins in June
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Although they never flew in space together, astronauts David Hilmers and Marsha Ivins crossed paths on the same spacecraft on the same mission. They will now reunite with the orbiter to be honored.
![three foam rockets in front of a box with a colorful photo of space on it](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VJwHhA3EGHT5nLgmZEQqCj-320-80.jpg)
Stomp Rocket 'targets' NASA history with new space toy collection
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
A classic toy brand is putting its foot down on how NASA rockets are launched. After 30 years of producing "kid-powered" projectiles of its own design, Stomp Rocket is releasing its first NASA set.
![people walk through a museum full of spacecraft displays](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vVRGAoFZefmUftnmrCZny6-320-80.jpg)
NASA's Artemis 1 moon capsule to land in renovated Smithsonian gallery in 2026
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
NASA's Artemis 1 Orion spacecraft will be displayed by the Smithsonian as part of the renovated galleries at the National Air and Space Museum in 2026. Four new space galleries are among 12 debuting.
![a space shuttle wrapped in white plastic stands upright surrounded by buildings](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iwDtDYEcPimxo2Rjroi73i-320-80.jpg)
Endeavour lifted onto space shuttle stack for California Science Center exhibit (video)
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
A space shuttle is standing upright for the first time in more than a decade. Cranes lifted Endeavour off a Los Angeles side street and onto an external tank with solid rocket boosters for display.
![a crowd of people sit in chairs facing a large black wall outdoors on a sunny day.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/EPM3QmA9y7wFtU9kABMPEP-320-80.jpg)
NASA honors its fallen astronauts on annual Day of Remembrance
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Karen Bassett Stephenson reflected on the loss of her father while standing before the Space Mirror Memorial that bears his name. She joined others to observe NASA's Day of Remembrance.
![closeup photo of a bulova analog watch's face, which has three small dials](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cJx6LBkiuVFTucd24PZRsB-320-80.jpg)
Bulova adds limited edition meteorite dial to Apollo 15-inspired Lunar Pilot watch
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
How do you enhance the connection that Bulova's Lunar Pilot watch shares with outer space? You replicate the look of the original, but replace its dial with a slice of a space rock.
![a container of oreo cookies featuring pink and purple icing inside and a rocket design stamped on them](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ssnJVnFCs4iPn8NmkJD5XV-320-80.jpg)
Limited edition Oreo Space Dunk cookies lift off with chance to fly to 'edge of space'
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Oreo's latest limited-edition flavor, "Space Dunk," comes with an out-of-this-world twist: a chance at enjoying the "cosmic creme"-filled cookies while floating through the stratosphere.