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
![trucks tow two big white cylindrical rocket motors through the streets of los angeles.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bnvgom8VGXuKMkYiQW2Q96-320-80.jpg)
Rocket booster parts arrive in LA to stand up space shuttle Endeavour exhibit
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
They may not be as iconic as Endeavour or as large as the orbiter's external tank, but the sight of twin rockets moving through the streets of Los Angeles was enough to once again draw a crowd.
![photo of earth as seen from the moon's surface, with the logos of Prada and Axiom Space superimposed atop it.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/me74QzZHPZndngeauT9SaW-320-80.jpg)
Axiom Space partners with fashion house Prada to design Artemis 3 moon suits
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
A new partnership is taking the concept of haute couture to new heights. Axiom Space has joined forces with Prada to design the spacesuits that NASA's Artemis 3 astronauts will wear on the moon.
![three different watches with stars and galaxies on them](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XjFpxGiSdiJZtbXwAptyK3-320-80.jpg)
Space telescope images star on new ESA-endorsed Swatch watches
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Now you can select your favorite swath of the universe and display it on it your wrist, thanks to a new collaboration between Swatch and the European Space Agency.
![One of two solid rocket motors, seen here being offloaded in 2020 at the Mojave Air and Space Port, will be delivered to the California Science Center in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. The motors are part of the solid rocket boosters that will stand with the vertical display of shuttle Endeavour in the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/es6zHdhGcCoZ2rpbVJWeeN-320-80.jpg)
Public invited to watch solid rocket motors arrive for shuttle Endeavour exhibit in L.A.
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The California Science Center is celebrating the anniversary of space shuttle Endeavour's L.A. trip with the delivery of two very large candles. Solid rocket motors are set to stand with Endeavour.
![a black rover wheel stands on concrete, in front of a model of the planet jupiter.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/by643ycy2YeA3yYrnEvANM-320-80.jpg)
Disney debuts NASA Perseverance Mars rover tracks at EPCOT's Mission: SPACE
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
NASA's Perseverance rover may have taken a brief detour to Walt Disney World in Florida. Guests visiting EPCOT can now come across a tread like that left by the six-wheeled rover.
![a collection of dozens of buttons emblazoned with space mission patches.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uGvcn2g2f2jtLacjiCdXN5-320-80.jpg)
New collectible pin buttons depict 'For All Mankind' space mission patches
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
With the return of 'For All Mankind quickly approaching, now is the time to 'button up' for the alternate space history series' journey to Mars. Fortunately, Icon Heroes has exactly what you need.
![closeup of an analog wristwatch whose face features a photo of the lunar surface.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/e3Yqu2HfehTh3Xi8JKqkg3-320-80.jpg)
New wristwatch bridges Apollo to Artemis with touch of real moon dust
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
There is an allure to moon dust. Just like its unique adhesive properties, causing it to stick to everything it touches, it tends to draw the attention of everyone who sees it.
![a cube-shaped spacecraft covered in solar panels](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PbyTEAZWgeVLSCNBhVc8xj-320-80.jpg)
Up close with Intuitive Machine's Nova-C lunar lander before it leaves for the moon
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The first lunar lander to be built in Houston is ready to leave Space City for the moon. Intuitive Machines offered a close-up look at its Nova-C before it ships to Florida for its launch.
![photo collage showing a stylized asteroid sample-return capsule descending via parachute in front of three different buildings.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/H4haQbRE6XpFWgiGFgFnE5-320-80.jpg)
NASA picks 3 museums to display OSIRIS-REx asteroid samples
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
As NASA saw its first asteroid sample return to Earth, three museums took particular notice, knowing they had been chosen to display small examples of the space rock material.
![The Soyuz MS-23 spacecraft is seen as it lands in a remote area near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan with Expedition 69 NASA astronaut Frank Rubio, Roscosmos cosmonauts Dmitri Petelin and Sergey Prokopyev, Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4dxzxndCD9zceBFRz6EpSA-320-80.jpg)
Record-setting NASA astronaut lands with Russian crewmates after 1 year on space station
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The first American to spend a year in space and first Russians to do the same on the International Space Station have landed. Frank Rubio, Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin returned on Soyuz MS-23.
![This SpaceX Merlin rocket engine and grid fin, which were used in the launch of Falcon 9 missions, will go on display at the National Air and Space Museum.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/SLqXSo8im4gKUfsAx5SRTK-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX flight-proven rocket hardware to go on display at Smithsonian
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
An engine used to launch an Israeli company's attempt at landing on the moon has landed in the Smithsonian. Along with a grid fin, it is one of the first SpaceX artifacts to join the collection.
![Scientists take a closer look at the OSIRIS-REx capsule.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HhxMPGvG5UfbrVBzsDcdBL-320-80.png)
NASA's OSIRIS-REx capsule just landed with samples of asteroid Bennu. Next stop: Texas
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Hey NASA, you've just landed your first samples from an asteroid! Where are they going next? Houston, of course.
![a corner of an envelope bears a stamp depicting a cone-shaped capsule descending under a parachute](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xPAQoDvoNaKj6fdpRMuzBE-320-80.jpg)
US Postal Service drops new OSIRIS-REx stamp ahead of asteroid sample return
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
NASA's first asteroid sample mission has landed at post offices two days before the spacecraft's return capsule is set to land on Earth. The USPS released a stamp celebrating the OSIRIS-REx probe.
![a man in a navy-blue jacket stands in front of a wall bearing imagery of the moon from NASA's Apollo program.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/U7qeQBuvmRH5MtHTwRAgXa-320-80.jpg)
Tom Hanks returns to the moon with 'The Moonwalkers,' a new visual experience
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
What do you get when you combine the firm that made the Washington Monument into a Saturn V, the imagery of 'Apollo Remastered' and the actor who made 'Houston, we have a problem' a household phrase?
![a man in a white suit smiles and laughs while talking to a man in an orange space suit who is preparing to board a space shuttle](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rHjCZy6D22ab7orsYHd9k4-320-80.jpg)
'A Million Miles Away' director and astronaut José Hernández reveal cameo in new film from Amazon
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
José Hernández is humbled, but also loves "A Million Miles Away." The new film from director Alejandra Márquez Abella is based on the former NASA astronaut's life story.
![a stamp that reads "kennedy space center"](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/o9bgTJbxUC4y8nx7nkSj5h-320-80.jpg)
Kennedy Space Center post office closing after 58 years of postmarks
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The Kennedy Space Center post office has been cancelled. The contract facility will close permanently this month, after which there will be no more "Kennedy Space Center" postmarks.
![A white and green Russian rocket launches into the night sky on Sept. 15, 2023](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZS7neDE6ku5MWBSjLKaESF-320-80.png)
Russian rocket launches 3 spaceflyers for up to yearlong stay on ISS (video)
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub have left Earth to spend a year aboard the International Space Station, flying on Russia's Soyuz MS-24 spacecraft with Loral O'Hara, who will return after six months.
![five astronauts in orange flight suits walk down a white-walled corridor.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zLv6bbujbXRAaw2RnSCHMQ-320-80.jpg)
The other astronauts in 'A Million Miles Away' react to the new film and its focus
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
They may not be the focus of 'A Million Miles Away,' but the crewmates who flew with José Hernández are happy to see him celebrated on the big screen, just as they were to accompany him into space.
![a base on the surface of Mars featuring several nations' flags](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rxcLmDsii4DTP6BTtboXbH-320-80.jpg)
'For All Mankind' needs recruits for Mars in 4th season on Apple TV+ (video)
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Ed Baldwin wants you for Mars. The Apollo astronaut-turned-commander of a private mission to the Red Planet is in need of a few good Martians, as seen in the teaser for "For All Mankind," Season 4.
![a wooden lectern with the presidential seal stands in front of a black background.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bHUHHHgiwd7j2QwJ7G8SGg-320-80.jpg)
Not a fake, JFK 'choose the moon' lectern restored to public display
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
As it turns out, the lectern from which President John F. Kennedy proclaimed 'We choose to go to the moon' has been rightly on display for 30 years, contrary to a report that it was a fake.
![six women in blue flight suits stand near a white spacesuit.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VYyDJy3FTeF5TGGDxPxmjS-320-80.jpg)
'The Six' author Loren Grush: 1st female astronauts set example for picking woman to land on moon
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Forty-five years after selecting its first six women, NASA has 16 female astronauts who could be the first woman on the moon. For Loren Grush, the best thing is they don't have 'the right stuff.'
![a smiling man in a blue shirt floats aboard the space station with computers and wires in the background.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hkz6FH2yUWcmuzenGgP9R7-320-80.jpg)
Astronaut Frank Rubio breaks US record on way to spending a year in space
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Frank Rubio didn't set out to break a record, but today on the International Space Station, he will do just that. Rubio, a NASA astronaut, will have flown the longest mission in U.S. history.
![Infrared view of SpaceX's Crew Dragon "Endeavour" as it splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Jacksonville, Florida on Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. The capsule returned from the International Space Station with Crew-6 — Steve Bowen, Woody Hoburg, Sultan AlNeyadi and Andrey Fedyaev — after 186 days. (NASA TV)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UgRtyuno6MypDaBJxwWRGm-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX's Crew-6 astronauts splash down after 6-month stay on ISS
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The SpaceX Crew-6 astronauts Stephen Bowen, Woody Hoburg, Sultan AlNeyadi and Andrey Fedyaev are back on Earth, having each completed their first long-duration spaceflight on the ISS.
!["Sasha" the sloth, the SpaceX Crew-7 astronauts' zero-g indicator, is seen floating aboard the Dragon spacecraft "Endurance" after it entered Earth orbit on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/U4NPeEqFjSjTGN9CkvaVLB-320-80.jpg)
'Sasha' the sloth breaks speed records as SpaceX Crew-7 zero-g indicator (photos)
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
A new record may have just been set for the fastest-moving sloth in the world. And not just any sloth: a three-toed sloth named "Sasha" that served as the "zero-g indicator" for SpaceX's Crew-7.
![a table covered in small plant seedlings](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TDJC3RRPoaAYFXwcdWmtkH-320-80.jpg)
NASA and Forest Service offer seedlings to grow Artemis 'moon trees'
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
NASA is seeking education and community organizations to help plant a practical forest of trees with a unique pedigree: the moon. The space agency and Forest Service want to grow Artemis moon trees.