Elizabeth Howell
Elizabeth Howell (she/her), Ph.D., is a staff writer in the spaceflight channel since 2022 covering diversity, education and gaming as well. She was contributing writer for Space.com for 10 years before joining full-time. Elizabeth's reporting includes multiple exclusives with the White House and Office of the Vice-President of the United States, an exclusive conversation with aspiring space tourist (and NSYNC bassist) Lance Bass, speaking several times with the International Space Station, witnessing five human spaceflight launches on two continents, flying parabolic, working inside a spacesuit, and participating in a simulated Mars mission. Her latest book, "Why Am I Taller?", is co-written with astronaut Dave Williams. Elizabeth holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Space Studies from the University of North Dakota, a Bachelor of Journalism from Canada's Carleton University and a Bachelor of History from Canada's Athabasca University. Elizabeth is also a post-secondary instructor in communications and science at several institutions since 2015; her experience includes developing and teaching an astronomy course at Canada's Algonquin College (with Indigenous content as well) to more than 1,000 students since 2020. Elizabeth first got interested in space after watching the movie Apollo 13 in 1996, and still wants to be an astronaut someday. Mastodon: https://qoto.org/@howellspace
Latest articles by Elizabeth Howell
Canada assigns astronauts to launch on Boeing's Starliner, back up Artemis 2 moon mission
By Elizabeth Howell published
The Canadian Space Agency announced 2 new spaceflights for its astronauts on Wednesday (Nov. 22), following a historic moon assignment earlier this year.
Canadian Space Agency will announce new astronaut assignments today (Nov. 22). Here's how to watch it live.
By Elizabeth Howell published
The Canadian Space Agency will announce new astronaut assignments on Nov. 22, just 6 months after astronaut Jeremy Hansen received a moon mission for Artemis 2.
Blue Origin: Everything you need to know about the private spaceflight company
By Elizabeth Howell last updated
Reference Blue Origin flies space tourists to the final frontier.
Tom Hanks visits Artemis 2 moon astronauts and NASA Mission Control
By Elizabeth Howell published
'Apollo 13' actor Tom Hanks, who flew to the moon on film in 1995, just went to NASA in Houston. There, he visited the four Artemis 2 astronauts who will make the journey for real.
Axiom Space astronaut Marcus Wandt says space is 'more real' thanks to private flights
By Elizabeth Howell published
Marcus Wandt was selected as a standby project astronaut in 2022. The European Space Agency now has a spot for him in space: the Axiom Space Ax-3 mission expected to fly in January 2024.
NASA astronaut sees her parents' birth country from space. 'This may be the closest I will ever get'
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA's Jasmin Moghbeli recently saw Iran from the International Space Station. Her parents fled the country in 1979 and she has been unable to visit it during her lifetime.
How to watch SpaceX launch its 2nd Starship test flight live online on Nov 18
By Elizabeth Howell last updated
SpaceX's Starship will make its second attempt to reach space on Nov. 18, and you can watch the launch live here.
Lost astronaut tool bag from ISS shines in new telescope image (photo)
By Elizabeth Howell published
Astronauts on the International Space Station harmlessly lost a tool bag during a spacewalk on Nov. 1. A new telescope image from Rome shows the stray bag shining among the stars.
1 year after Artemis 1 launch, NASA readies Artemis 2 to shoot for the moon again (video)
By Elizabeth Howell published
Artemis 1 launched on Nov. 16, 2022. One year later, NASA is readying the follow-up Artemis 2 mission to send four astronauts around the moon.
International Space Station dodges orbital debris hours before SpaceX cargo ship's arrival: report
By Elizabeth Howell published
The International Space Station moved away from space debris on Friday (Nov. 10), Russian space officials said, hours before a SpaceX cargo ship aims to arrive.
Safety, not speed, should be the priority in launch mishap probes, FAA advisory group says
By Elizabeth Howell published
With more space launches than ever, industry wants a way to speed up licensing after mishaps. But safety must come first, say members of a Federal Aviation Administration advisory committee say.
NASA powers up Artemis 2 Orion spacecraft ahead of 2024 moon mission
By Elizabeth Howell published
The Orion for Artemis 2, humanity's first lunar mission in 50 years, powered on successfully on Nov. 6. It will carry four astronauts around the moon no earlier than 2024.
NASA's Curiosity Mars rover celebrates 4,000 'sols' on the Red Planet
By Elizabeth Howell published
As NASA's Curiosity rover passes 4,000 'sols,' or Martian days, on the Red Planet, a Space.com reporter who began work in 2012 reflects on what that means.
A VR headset that could help astronaut mental health is launching to ISS on SpaceX rocket this week
By Elizabeth Howell published
ISS commander Andreas Mogensen will be the first to use the HTC Vive Focus 3 for the experiment.
Watch NASA build Artemis 2 astronaut moon rocket boosters ahead of 2024 launch (video)
By Elizabeth Howell published
A new video shows the Artemis 2 moon mission's boosters under assembly. The solid rocket boosters are being made at NASA's Kennedy Space Center ahead of the 2024 launch with four astronauts.
Happy birthday Andreas Mogensen! International Space Station astronaut celebrates in space
By Elizabeth Howell published
Danish astronaut Andreas Mogensen marked his birthday on the International Space Station Nov. 2 by flying his country's flag and enjoying sunny weather.
James Webb Space Telescope reveals distances of nearly 200 deep-space galaxies
By Elizabeth Howell published
We now know how far away some galaxies are in the iconic "deep field" image from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope. A Canadian instrument is revealing more about how the universe changed over time.
Miss England 'flies' Boeing Starliner spaceship at NASA's Kennedy Space Center
By Elizabeth Howell published
Jessica Gagan, Miss England 2023, toured Boeing facilities at NASA's Kennedy Space Center and flew their Starliner simulator. The aerospace engineer is promoting STEM education during her U.S. tour.
Bullying Jupiter-like planets may push 'alien Earths' away from life-friendly orbits
By Elizabeth Howell published
Planets like Earth shouldn't get too close to their bigger, bullying neighbors. Jupiter-size worlds can wreck life-friendly conditions on their smaller neighbors.
SpaceX, NASA delay CRS-29 cargo launch to International Space Station
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA and SpaceX have delayed the next Dragon cargo spacecraft launch to the International Space Station by two days, to Nov. 7 for extra preparations.
New water system that could aid Artemis moon astronauts gets a test on the ISS
By Elizabeth Howell published
A small, efficient water dispenser that could aid NASA's Artemis moon program is getting a test on the International Space Station.
International Space Station astronauts show off creative outfits for Halloween
By Elizabeth Howell published
Astronauts on the International Space Station got all dressed up for Halloween Oct. 31. More costume changes are coming Nov. 1, with an all-woman spacewalk on deck.
Artemis 2 moon astronaut says crew is ready for ambitious 2024 mission
By Elizabeth Howell published
Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen will first reach space on the Artemis 2 moon mission. Space, he says, feels more real by the day – and there's a big community helping him with the journey.
'Too early' to say which astronaut will command UK Space Agency mission with Axiom Space
By Elizabeth Howell published
The UK Space Agency says it cannot speculate yet on who will command its debut mission with Axiom Space. British astronaut Tim Peake was rumored as commander.
Watch NASA's Artemis 2 mobile rocket launcher get soaked during water deluge test (video)
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA conducted a water deluge test Oct. 24 to evaluate how well its water system will protect its hardware and astronauts during the launch of the round-the-moon Artemis 2 mission in 2024.