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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
'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.
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.
'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.'
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.
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 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.
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.
Karol 'Bo' Bobko, former NASA astronaut who flew three shuttle missions, dies at 85
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Karol 'Bo' Bobko, who was the only NASA astronaut to fly on the first launch of two space shuttle orbiters, has died at the age of 85. In total, Bobko logged 16 days, 2 hours and 3 minutes in space.
Bakery 'Kochs up' kolache to honor moon-bound Artemis astronaut
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
NASA astronaut Christina Koch's assignment to fly around the moon has already given launch to a tasty treat. Good Dough, a bakery in Galveston, Texas, has created the 'Koch it to the Moon' kolache.
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