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
![three smiling people inside a mock mars base](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5QwpUu5g9Wnh3TMAjqyHgb-320-80.jpg)
1 year on 'Mars:' NASA analog astronauts begin mock Red Planet mission today and you can watch it live
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Kelly Haston, Ross Brockwell, Nathan Jones and Anca Selariu are set to enter Mars Dune Alpha at 7:30 p.m. ET tonight (June 25).
![the florida quarter coin, featuring a space shuttle in flight, superimposed over a satellite photo of the state](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rQm7fkBRBQ3oLgT6BUq82V-320-80.jpg)
New monument will honor Florida's role in space exploration
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Florida's role in space exploration will be recognized by a landmark now that lawmakers have given the "go" for the project. The Florida Space Exploration Monument will stand in Tallahassee.
![name patch on a blue astronaut flight suit that reads "story musgrave"](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YqJ36yCZAC98B5F5DWrLXH-320-80.jpg)
Astronaut Story Musgrave's Apollo-flown medallions, shuttle toiletries up for auction
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
A medallion that was flown to the moon for a member of NASA's astronaut corps opened for bids at just $100. The same astronaut's copy of a checklist he used on his first launch also listed for $100.
![cosmonaut Sergey Prokopyev discards an old science experiment during a spacewalk, with the curve of earth visible in the background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YdvTRYkXPNNfrRj5zSbX69-320-80.jpg)
Russian cosmonauts toss old equipment overboard on ISS spacewalk
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Russian cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitry Petelin worked outside of the International Space Station to remove and toss overboard a trio of outdated devices, including a spent science experiment.
![photo collage showing valentina tereshkova, sally ride and a panel from johnny hart's b.c. comic strip](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5BsSKUpoHBJvKrY8JC7gYK-320-80.jpg)
When Johnny met Sally: 'The first woman in space' and a Skylab strip
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Three spaceflight anniversaries have a nexus of sorts, in a comic strip that ran in newspapers over 20 years ago. It all comes down to the imagination and knowledge (or lack thereof) of Johnny Hart.
![an astronaut in a white spacesuit on the outside of a space station](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yZtpdRyUc65BJVhCtaeGSo-320-80.jpg)
Astronauts unfurl final roll-out solar array (for now) at space station in record-tying spacewalk
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
NASA astronauts Woody Hoburg and Stephen Bowen deployed the sixth and last (for now) upgraded solar array outside of the International Space Station while Bowen tied an American spacewalk record.
![purple logo for sally's night and yellow-and-purple logo celebrating 40 years of women in space, with a photo of sally ride during her 1983 spaceflight in the background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iA8W9w8ZPB5huDFj645Tsn-320-80.jpg)
Sally's Night events mark 40 years since 1st US woman flew in space
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
From an afternoon at the ballpark to Afternoon Tea, museums and science centers are celebrating Sally's Night and the 40th anniversary of Sally Ride becoming the first American woman in space.
![Photo of an astronaut glove, a model of the hubble space telescope and a spare mechanical arm for the viking mars lander](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZD6NjKgJUtMUoS8ofVosdU-320-80.jpg)
NASA begins 60th round of space artifact awards for schools, museums
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Fifteen years after NASA opened its space artifact archive to schools and museums, the program still has a lot to give. The agency is accepting applications for its 60th screening of space hardware.
![Photo from a spacewalking astronaut of newly installed solar array on the international space station, with earth in the background.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WVdqyCDLFjzDgV79kaQ3PQ-320-80.jpg)
NASA astronauts deploy 5th roll-out solar array on spacewalk outside space station (video)
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
NASA astronauts Stephen Bowen and Woody Hoburg deployed a new solar array outside the International Space Station during a spacewalk today (June 9).
![Photo showing JAXA astronaut Naoko Yamazaki in an orange spacesuit next to some of the Nanoblock space series models she advised on.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/57jdbnL2U3g8XtcbWKFXU3-320-80.jpg)
Nanoblock reveals new space model kits created with astronaut's advice
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
An astronaut who helped assemble the International Space Station is now behind a series of space building projects that are on a very different scale. Naoko Yamazaki advised on Nanoblock's new kits.
![a wristwatch whose face features mickey mouse in a spacesuit exploring the surface of the moon.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/D3jBB7MudXWibsPLs4sxsV-320-80.jpg)
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.
![Poet Laureate Ada Limón in a blue suit looking out over a NASA clean room](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vUK7oGY7sALXHsCqageoNX-320-80.jpg)
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.
![China's Shenzhou 15 and Shenzhou 16 crews join together aboard the country's Tiangong space station on Tuesday, May 30, 2023. The six taikonauts include Fei Junlong, Deng Qingming Zhang Lu, Jing Haipeng, Zhu Yangzhu and Gui Haichao.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8ypbCVYbw8M7URfMBPT2HN-320-80.jpg)
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.
![Apollo astronauts Charlie Duke, Harrison Schmitt and Rusty Sweickart join active NASA astronaut Randy Bresnik on the grand marshals float in the National Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 29, 2023 in Washington, D.C..](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mQvDbczqqKUP8yny75ztQV-320-80.jpg)
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.
![The new Lego Technic NASA Mars Rover Perseverance will go on sale on Aug. 1. The 1,132-piece model reproduces the six-wheeled explorer and Ingenuity, its flying rotorcraft companion.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FdfKLYKYRiCs3EPb5vit7S-320-80.jpg)
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.
![Mattel's Matchbox SpaceX Dragon Spacecraft comes packaged in a display-ready box that suspends the die-cast capsule against a backdrop of the blue Earth and blackness of space.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kYJvmaxkRSCn2FEkdSguMP-320-80.jpg)
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's Crew Dragon spacecraft "Freedom" begins its journey to the International Space Station with the 600th person to enter Earth orbit after launching from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Sunday, May, 21, 2023.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/k6huYGxrHTYWca7xs8kk4N-320-80.jpg)
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.
![The Axiom Space Bear, a larger version of the Ax-2 zero-g indicator "GiGi," features Build-A-Bear's "Happy Hugs Teddy" wearing Axiom Space's AxEMU spacesuit.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WQXrjXJVydSE4MpRzrCVjW-320-80.jpg)
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.
![Fisher Space Pen has produced four new model pens under a new partnership with Axiom Space, including a version of its original Astronaut pen finished in black titanium nitride.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uCtZEeqyz7w6oKGaXhx2Tm-320-80.jpg)
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.
![Retired Brig. Gen Buzz Aldrin sits on stage during his honorary promotion ceremony at Space Systems Command at Los Angeles Air Force Base in California on May 5, 2023.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uo5gahSxwqXUeVqZ8y9Ymc-320-80.jpg)
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.
![The Skylab orbital workshop lifts off atop the last Saturn V rocket to fly on May 14, 1973, from Pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA astronaut Stephen Bowen is the only member of the International Space Station's Expedition 69 crew to be old enough to have lived through Skylab's launch 50 years ago.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ii3ETXdJaDfV5DYUDkdMAm-320-80.jpg)
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.
![two astronauts in space suits work on the outside of a space station](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yRYJp36btXwVBQcUQxo7Ld-320-80.jpg)
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's Mobile Launch Platform-3 (MLP-3), which was used for the Apollo 11 moon landing mission among other historic flights, is seen lowered to the ground for its demolition.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uowdfbwdWt8dTe9p5D3vZL-320-80.jpg)
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.
![2023 U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame inductees Roy Bridges (at center right) and Senator Mark Kelly (center left) pose with prior inductees during their ceremony at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida on Saturday May 6, 2023. The other astronauts pictured include (from left to right): Scott Kelly, Scott Altman, Curt Brown, John Grunsfeld, Janet Kavandi, Pam Melroy, Michael Lopez-Alegria, Daniel Brandenstein, John Blaha, Rhea Seddon, Rusty Schweickart, Joe Kerwin, Hoot Gibson, David Leestma, Bob Crippen, Charlie Bolden and Loren Shriver.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/k4YxVn6wvLKyPEpeGZCCT6-320-80.jpg)
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.
![STS-67 payload specialist Samuel Durrance works with the Astro-2 data display system set up on space shuttle Endeavour's flight deck in March 1995.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZFCKpB7FJjgpfAU7zCAzwb-320-80.jpg)
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.