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
Mickey Mouse celebrates the Space Age as astronaut on Disney100 Citizen watch
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Mickey Mouse has landed on the "face" of the moon. Face, that is, of a wristwatch created to pay homage to The Walt Disney Company and when its 100-year history intersected with the Space Age.
A poem for Europa Clipper: US Poet Laureate Ada Limón reveals ode to fly on NASA Jupiter moon mission
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
"It is not darkness that unites us, not the cold distance of space, but the offering of water..." Those words, by U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón, are part of an ode flying on NASA's Europa Clipper.
New record! 17 people are in Earth orbit at the same time right now
By Robert Z. Pearlman last updated
The total number of people in Earth orbit is now at a record high, though only for a short time. With Monday's (May 29) launch of China's Shenzhou 16 mission, the population in orbit grew to 17.
National Memorial Day Parade 2023 honors Apollo astronauts in US capital (video)
By Robert Z. Pearlman last updated
Apollo lunar module pilots Charlie Duke, Harrison Schmitt and Rusty Schweickart joined active NASA astronaut Randy Bresnik in the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, DC.
Lego to roll out Mars rover Perseverance as new Technic set on August 1
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The next space-themed Lego set is actually two spacecraft in one, Technic-ally speaking. The Lego Technic NASA Mars Rover Perseverance set recreates the wheeled explorer and its Ingenuity helicopter.
SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule is now a Matchbox die-cast model
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft is landing — on toy store shelves. Matchbox, the classic die-cast toy brand, has released a miniature model of the commercial space capsule.
SpaceX launch of private Ax-2 astronauts just put the 600th person in orbit
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The 600th person to enter Earth orbit, Rayyanah Barnawi of Saudi Arabia, is now on her way to the International Space Station on Axiom-2, the second commercial mission to fly there.
Build-A-Bear creates fluffy 'zero-g indicator' for Axiom Space Ax-2 crew
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The zero-g indicator flying on the second private mission to the International Space Station may be the first that needed assembly. Ax-2's 'GiGi' is the first Build-A-Bear to launch into orbit.
Axiom crews to use custom Fisher space pens on private missions
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
When former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson launches on her first commercial mission, she will have a familiar tool along with her. Whitson will be among the first to use Axiom Space Fisher space pens.
Apollo 11 moonwalker Buzz Aldrin honored as Air Force one-star, Space Force Guardian
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Buzz Aldrin already had the moon to his credit. Now he has a star. The Apollo 11 astronaut and colonel in the U.S. Air Force received a promotion to the honorary rank of brigadier general.
50 years ago, Skylab launched into orbit. See what it meant to an astronaut on a space station now.
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Stephen Bowen remembers seeing Skylab fly overhead. At eight years old, Bowen's experience fueled his interest in spaceflight. Little did he know where that would take him 50 years later.
Russian cosmonauts move vital radiator for International Space Station in 5-hour spacewalk
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Russian cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitry Petelin completed a spacewalk to activate a radiator that they earlier helped relocate outside of the International Space Station.
NASA platform used to launch Apollo 11 to the moon set for demolition
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
NASA's Mobile Launch Platform-3, from which the first astronauts departed Earth to fly around and land on the moon now, itself, only has a limited time left on the planet.
Roy Bridges, Senator Mark Kelly inducted into US Astronaut Hall of Fame
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Retired Major General Roy Bridges and Senator Mark Kelly were honored by their peers as the newest inductees into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
Samuel Durrance, astronaut who flew with telescope he built, dies at 79
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Sam Durrance, who as an astronomer was one of the first non-career astronauts to fly after the loss of space shuttle Challenger, has died at 79. Durrance flew twice accompanying the payload he built.
Fox names Lance Armstrong, Ariel Winter among 'celebronauts' on 'Stars On Mars'
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
A crew of celebrities are set to go where none have gone before. "Well, sort of," says William Shatner, the actor-turned-astronaut who serves in Mission Control for "Stars on Mars," June 5 on Fox.
New book reveals NASA photographer's unseen Mercury astronaut archives
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
As a NASA photographer, Taub was there to capture the start of the U.S. space program. A new book reveals Taub's role 'Photographing America's First Astronauts.'
Russian cosmonauts relocate airlock on International Space Station spacewalk
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Russian cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitry Petelin exited an airlock to move a different airlock during a spacewalk outside of the International Space Station on May 3.
Guardians of the Galaxy visit (real) ISS for 3D-printed Zune and STEAM education
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Before "The Guardians of the Galaxy" launch into theaters, Rocket and Cosmo are making a pitstop at the International Space Station to help engage students in 3D printing.
New MotoArt PlaneTags made from NASA aircraft used by Apollo tracking stations
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
A NASA aircraft used to test the agency's Gemini and Apollo tracking stations has "taken off" as a popular collectible. MotoArt's latest PlaneTag is made from NASA 420, a C-121G Super Constellation.
Russian spacewalk to move airlock outside space station postponed
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
A Russian spacewalk to move an experiment airlock from one International Space Station module to another has been postponed, the country's federal space corporation Roscosmos announced.
Shot in space, feature film 'The Challenge' rockets at Russian box office
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
"Vyzov" ("The Challenge"), the first feature-length narrative movie to have scenes shot in space by a professional filmmaker, rocketed to the top of Russia's box office.
'Look what I found!' SpaceX urges finders to report debris from Starship test flight
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Hours after the first test flight of SpaceX's Starship ended with the spacecraft being commanded to explode, possible debris from the colossal rocket began to wash up on the surrounding shores.
Shuttle simulators and astronaut artifacts featured in new Lone Star 'Space Gallery'
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
A museum dedicated to the history of Texas aviation now has a "space" devoted to flight even higher than the state's skies. The Lone Star Flight Museum in Houston opened its Space Gallery.
CAPSTONE Cider celebrates success of trailblazing satellite in lunar orbit
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
A company behind a NASA mission is capping off its first six months with an experimental cider. Advanced Space and Stem Ciders are releasing CAPSTONE, a hoppy cider celebrating a spacecraft.