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
Russian cosmonauts relocate radiator on International Space Station spacewalk
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Russian cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitry Petelin helped relocate a large radiator outside of the International Space Station, completing a spacewalk that had been twice delayed.
Light this candle: SpaceX taking orders for Starship model with rocket engine torch
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
As the first space launch of the world's most powerful rocket looms, you can now "light" or "land" your own Starship. SpaceX debuted new models of its stainless steel spacecraft.
Clearing the air from Apollo to Artemis, NASA tests new CO2 scrubber on space station
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
A new air filtration system with a magnetic-bearing blower has been installed on the International Space Station. The carbon dioxide scrubber could advance life support for astronauts on the moon.
New Lego Ideas 'Tales of the Space Age' set creates out-of-this-world displays
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Lego's next set to celebrate humanity's fascination with the cosmos uses the toy to capture the style that inspired exploration. "Tales of the Space Age" builds four postcard-size works of space art.
Jean Schulz awarded NASA achievement medal for sending Snoopy to the moon
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Jean Schulz, the widow of Peanuts' creator Charles M. Schulz, has been recognized for being a "huge champion" of NASA and inspiring millions of people around the world by sending Snoopy to the moon.
Northrop Grumman names cargo craft for fallen Columbia astronaut Laurel Clark
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
A NASA astronaut whose first spaceflight was the ill-fated final mission of the space shuttle Columbia is being remembered by Northrop Grumman with the naming of the "S.S. Laurel Clark" cargo craft.
Newly named Artemis 2 crew to notch many firsts on historic moon mission
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The astronauts who will fly on NASA's Artemis 2 mission are set to break records and establish a number of firsts. But for one crew member, being first is less important than what will come next.
Four for the moon! NASA names Artemis 2 astronaut crew for 1st lunar mission since Apollo
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
NASA has named its first moon crew in over 50 years. The agency announced Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch of NASA and Canada's Jeremy Hansen as the Artemis 2 crew.
Son's design for astronaut dad's mission patch put into production 40 years later
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
A sketch that NASA astronaut Mike Mullane's son drew as a possible patch design for his 1984 space shuttle mission has been made into a new embroidered emblem.
NASA's Apollo-era crawler, upgraded for Artemis, sets Guinness world record
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
It's taken seven years, but now it's official: one of NASA's Apollo-era rocket movers is the heaviest self-powered vehicle. Guinness World Records confirmed Crawler-Transporter 2 tipped the scale.
'Baa'-ck from the moon, Shaun the Sheep to go on Artemis post-flight ESA tour
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Europe's first lunar "lamb-assador" returned home as he prepares to be herded off on a post-flight tour. Shaun the Sheep arrived at Aardman Animations after splashing down from the moon.
'All Systems Are Go' Snoopy stage show debuts at NASA visitor complex
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Snoopy and NASA's plans for exploring the moon received a "go" to launch as "All Systems Are Go," a new stage show featuring life-size puppets, debuted at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
CNES astronaut Jean-Jacques Favier, 1st French scientist to fly in space, dies at 73
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Jean-Jacques Favier, who in 1996 became the sixth astronaut and first scientist from France to launch into space, has died at the age of 73. Favier flew as an STS-78 payload specialist.
NASA asteroid sample return mission to land on U.S. postage stamp
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The USPS dropped news of a surprise space stamp, revealing it plans to mark the upcoming plunge to Earth by the OSIRIS-REx capsule carrying the largest sample ever collected from an asteroid.
Maple leaf to the moon: Canadian Space Agency debuts new logo
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
When the first Canadian to launch to the moon lifts off with NASA's next Artemis mission, he or she will do so wearing a new symbol of Canada's efforts in space: the Canadian Space Agency's new logo.
1st Artemis spacesuits to be worn on the moon will not return to Earth
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The spacesuits worn by the first woman and next American astronaut to walk on the moon will be abandoned on a SpaceX lunar lander rather than be returned to Earth, Axiom Space confirmed.
Axiom Space reveals prototype spacesuit for Artemis astronauts on the moon
By Robert Z. Pearlman last updated
A prototype of the spacesuit that astronauts plan to wear during the next mission to land on the moon has been unveiled. Unlike the garments worn by the Apollo astronauts, this suit is a "rental."
Mercury re-rising: Stoke Space to balance past and future at historic Florida launch pad
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Launch Complex 14 (LC-14), the long-retired launch pad where John Glenn lifted off to become to the first U.S. astronaut to orbit Earth, has been allocated to Stoke Space.
One-of-kind Barbie dolls honor citizen astronaut, space scientist as role models on International Women's Day
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Kat Echazarreta, the first Mexican-born woman to fly into space, and space scientist Maggie Aderin-Pocock now have Barbie dolls honoring them as STEM role models.
Swatch debuts Moonshine Gold-touched MoonSwatch, limited by the full moon
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
A year after debuting the MoonSwatch, a 'giant leap' between a Swatch watch and the first chronograph worn on the moon, Swatch and Omega have taken a 'small step' to bringing moonshine to your wrist.
Bring historic NASA missions to your fingertips with new ORLY nail polishes
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
ORLY has introduced a new line of polishes and wrap sets that aims at putting some of NASA's greatest missions not only at, but on your fingertips.
UAE astronaut mascot 'Suhail' flies again as SpaceX Crew-6 zero-g indicator
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The first Emirati to launch on a long-duration space mission lifted off with two Americans, a Russian and a fellow "countryman" making its second spaceflight with an astronaut from the UAE.
Apollo 'hook-up:' New keychain replicates carabiner used on the moon
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Luna Replicas and Global Effects have produced a new keychain outfitted with a fully functional replica of the tether hook used by Apollo astronauts on the moon.
Retro 51 pen embodies NASA's first and fallen space shuttle Columbia
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The space shuttle Columbia is the inspiration for a limited edition Retro 51 pen that can help launch a new generation of explorers by raising funds for the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation.