
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
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'Sparkly' narwhal toy trades sea for space as Boeing Starliner zero-g indicator
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
What has one horn, two crewmates and shares a name with its ride into orbit? "Calypso," the plush sequined narwhal that is flying on the crew flight test of "Calypso," Boeing's CST-100 Starliner.
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1st woman to command a US spacecraft Eileen Collins 'signs' patch to inspire girls
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
A patch created to honor Eileen Collins, the first woman to command a U.S. spacecraft, features a geometric pattern representing the glow of her space shuttle lifting off into the night sky.
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Boeing Starliner brings astronaut launches back to Atlas rocket and Cape Canaveral
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The launch of astronauts on a Boeing spacecraft will mark a first for the company, but will also bring human spaceflight back to a rocket and launch site after more than 50 years.
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NASA astronaut and director Ellen Ochoa awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The first Hispanic woman to launch into space is now the second female astronaut to be awarded the United States' highest honor. Ellen Ochoa was bestowed with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
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Their other vehicle is the Starliner: Boeing's 1st crew to ride Astrovan II to the launch pad
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
When Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams lift off for the ISS on May 6, they will become the first astronauts to fly on Boeing's CST-100 Starliner. But that's not their only new ride.
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Restored Atlas rocket erected on display as Mercury astronaut's ride to orbit
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Sixty-one years after it stood ready to send NASA's last one-man mission into orbit, the Mercury-Atlas 9 rocket is standing again. A replica is on display at the National Museum of the US Air Force.
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NASA begins delivering 1st Artemis Moon Trees to be planted across United States
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The first woman slated to launch to the moon has delivered one of the first trees grown from seeds recently flown there. NASA astronaut Christina Koch presented an "Artemis 1 Moon Tree."
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Russian cosmonauts make quick work of space station spacewalk
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub are back inside the International Space Station after just 4.5 hours outside.
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Lego reveals NASA Artemis rocket, Milky Way galaxy sets coming in May
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Get ready space fans, Lego is about to launch two sets that can take you from the moon to edge of our cosmic neighborhood: Lego Icons NASA Artemis Space Launch System and Lego Art Milky Way Galaxy.
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ESA graduates the 'Hoppers': Europeans, Australian pass astronaut basic training
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The "Hoppers" — five European astronauts and the first astronaut from the Australian Space Agency — are now ready to "hop" into their first flight assignments, having completed basic training.
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Cosmonaut Muhammed Faris, first Syrian in space, dies at 72
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Muhammed Faris, who was the first cosmonaut from Syria and second Arab to fly into space, has died at the age of 72.
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Alt-space history series 'For All Mankind' gets 5th season, new 'Star City' spinoff
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Apple TV+ is headed back to the past, and the future, with a fifth season of "For All Mankind" and new spinoff "Star City." Ronald D. Moore, Matt Wolpert and Ben Nedivi are returning to lead both.
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James Webb Space Telescope full-size model to be displayed by Space Foundation
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
To see the premier astronomical observatory in its full-size glory, you need to go to Lagrange Point 2, a location farther away than anyone has traveled. Or, soon, you can visit Colorado.
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SpaceX launches Starlink satellites on record 20th reflight of a Falcon 9 rocket first stage
By Robert Z. Pearlman last updated
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stage lifted off for a record-setting 20th time on Friday (April 12), sending 23 Starlink internet satellites to orbit.
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ULA chronicles the rise of Vulcan rocket in new employee-drawn comic book
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Vulcan, United Launch Alliance's new heavy-lift rocket, was not the result of being exposed to gamma rays or the bite of a radioactive spider, but it does have an origin story worthy of a comic book.
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'Fly Me to the Moon' trailer mixes real-life Apollo history with moon landing hoax
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Watching the new trailer for the upcoming movie "Fly Me to the Moon" might leave you thinking that it is an entire work of fiction. And for the most part, you would be correct.
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'Space Shuttle Columbia: The Final Flight' documentary set to conclude on CNN
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
CNN is set to conclude airing a four-part series on space shuttle Columbia's ill-fated last return to Earth. "Space Shuttle Columbia: The Final Flight" airs on Sunday (April 14).
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Soviet-era cosmonaut Vladimir Aksyonov, who flew into space twice, dies at 89
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Soviet-era cosmonaut Vladimir Aksyonov, who flew into space twice, has died at the age of 89. Aksyonov logged almost 12 days in space and orbited Earth 189 times.
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Japanese astronauts will join NASA moon landings in return for lunar rover
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The first non-American to walk on the moon will be a Japanese astronaut. Two JAXA astronauts will fly on future Artemis landing missions in return for Japan providing a pressurized moon rover.
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Astronauts' photos capture April 8 solar eclipse from Earth orbit
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
As bucket list items go, seeing a total solar eclipse from space might seem like a tall order. But on Monday (April 8), Michael Barratt saw an eclipse from off the planet.
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'Heavy' history: ULA launches final Delta rocket after 64 years (video, photos)
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The liftoff of the last-ever Delta rocket today (April 9) brought with it a change in the way the U.S. sends satellites, interplanetary probes and spacecraft into Earth orbit.
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In space and on Earth, where astronauts will view the April 8 solar eclipse
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
As a total solar eclipse crosses North America, seven people in space will see the spectacle from orbit. At the same time, more than 30 astronauts will be at events celebrating the sight.
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JAXA and Toyota's 'Lunar Cruiser' moon rover is now a Transformers toy
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Japan's proposal for a moon rover is "more than meets the eye." A new model of JAXA's Lunar Cruiser not only replicates the Toyota transport, but can also transform into Optimus Prime.
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'Apollo: When We Went to the Moon' exhibit lands at NYC's Intrepid Museum
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Given it was navy ships that recovered the Apollo spacecraft, it is appropriate that the largest temporary exhibit ever hosted by the Intrepid is themed to the first lunar landings.
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SpaceX Crew-7 astronauts share the good and bad of spending 6 months in space
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli, European Space Agency astronaut Andreas Mogensen and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Satoshi Furukawa spoke about their six months on the space station.