Amy Thompson

Amy Thompson

Contributing Writer

Amy Thompson is a Florida-based space and science journalist, who joined Space.com as a contributing writer in 2015. She's passionate about all things space and is a huge science and science-fiction geek. Star Wars is her favorite fandom, with that sassy little droid, R2D2 being her favorite. She studied science at the University of Florida, earning a degree in microbiology. Her work has also been published in Newsweek, VICE, Smithsonian, and many more. Now she chases rockets, writing about launches, commercial space, space station science, and everything in between.

Latest articles by Amy Thompson

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Crew-1 Crew Dragon spacecraft Resilience stands atop Pad 39A of NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida one day before a planned Nov. 15, 2020 launch.

SpaceX will launch 4 astronauts into space for NASA today. Here's how to watch live.

By Amy Thompson last updated

SpaceX will launch a crew of four astronauts today (Nov. 15) on its first operational flight for NASA and you can watch the historic flight online.

Human Spaceflight
A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the NROL-101 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office lifts off from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, at 5:32 p.m. EST (2232 GMT) on Nov. 13, 2020.

Atlas V rocket launches NROL-101 spy satellite to orbit

By Amy Thompson published

United Launch Alliance (ULA) successfully sent an Atlas V rocket into space today (Nov. 13), following a series of delays due to hardware issues and poor weather conditions at the launch site.

Satellites
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket test fires its first-stage engines briefly atop Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida on Nov. 14, 2020. The rocket will launch the Crew-1 astronaut mission for NASA on Nov. 14.

SpaceX just test fired the Falcon 9 rocket for its astronaut launch for NASA

By Amy Thompson published

SpaceX fired up the Falcon 9 rocket that will launch its next astronaut mission for NASA on Wednesday (Nov. 11), setting the stage for a Nov. 14 liftoff.

Launches & Spacecraft
A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket with the NROL-101 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) rolls from the Vertical Integration Facility (VIF) to the launch pad at Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida on Nov. 3, 2020.

US spy satellite launch on Atlas V rocket delayed by Tropical Storm Eta

By Amy Thompson published

United Launch Alliance is delaying the launch of an Atlas V mission 24 hours due to inclement weather from Hurricane Eta.

Satellites
NASA astronauts Shannon Walker, Victor Glover and Mike Hopkins, and JAXA astronaut Soichi Noguchi pose for a picture with Junichi Sakai, manager of the International Space Station Program for JAXA, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, NASA Deputy Administrator Jim Morhard, and Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana, after speaking with members of the media following their arrival at the Launch and Landing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, on Nov. 8, 2020.

These 4 Crew-1 astronauts are ready to launch into orbit with SpaceX

By Amy Thompson published

The four astronauts scheduled to launch to the International Space Station on SpaceX's next crewed mission Saturday (Nov. 14) say they are ready to fly.

Human Spaceflight
The four astronauts of NASA's Crew-1 mission launching on a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket smile after arriving at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida Nov. 8, 2020 for their upcoming launch. KSC director Bob Cabana (left) points to the crew, who are (from left): NASA astronauts Shannon Walker, Victor Glover, Mike Hopkins and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Soichi Noguchi.

The next astronauts to ride a SpaceX rocket arrive at Florida launch site

By Amy Thompson last updated

A crew of four astronauts arrived at Kennedy Space Center in Florida Sunday (Nov. 8) in advance of SpaceX’s second astronaut launch for NASA this week.

Launches & Spacecraft
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the U.S. Space Force's GPS III-SV04 navigation satellite lifts off from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, on Nov. 5, 2020.

SpaceX launches next-gen GPS satellite for US Space Force, lands rocket

By Amy Thompson published

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lit up the evening sky above Florida tonight (Nov. 5) to carry an advanced new GPS satellite to orbit for the U.S. Space Force.

Satellites
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the GPS III SV04 satellite for the U.S. Space Force stands atop Space Launch Complex 40 of the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida in the autumn of 2020.

You can watch SpaceX launch advanced GPS satellite tonight. Here's how.

By Amy Thompson last updated

SpaceX is set to launch an upgraded GPS satellite into orbit for the U.S. Space Force today (Nov. 5), and you can watch the action online.

Satellites
A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the classified NROL-101 spy satellite for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office at Space Launch Complex 41 of Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida for a Nov. 4, 2020 liftoff.

Watch an Atlas V rocket launch a new US spy satellite tonight!

By Amy Thompson last updated

The United Launch Alliance will launch a classified payload for the National Reconnaissance Office on Nov. 4, 2020. Here's how to watch.

Satellites
NASA's Mobile Launch Platform rolls out to Launch Complex 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, on Oct. 20, 2020.

NASA's megarocket mobile launcher crawls to the launch pad for moon mission prep

By Amy Thompson published

NASA's massive Mobile Launch Platform has rolled out of the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center, on top of NASA's crawler transporter.

Missions
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches 60 new Starlink internet satellites into orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 of the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Oct. 24, 2020.

SpaceX launches 60 Starlink satellites, lands rocket at sea in 2nd flight this week

By Amy Thompson published

SpaceX successfully launched its latest fleet of Starlink internet satellites into orbit Saturday (Oct. 24), marking the second such mission this week.

Satellites
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches 60 Starlink internet satellites into orbit from Launch Complex 39A of NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida on Oct. 18, 2020.

SpaceX just launched 60 new Starlink internet satellites and nailed rocket landing at sea

By Amy Thompson published

SpaceX successfully launched a full stack of Starlink internet satellites into today (Oct. 18) and capped off the mission with a successful rocket landing at sea.

Satellites
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches 60 Starlink internet satellites into space from Pad 39A of NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida on Oct. 6, 2020. It was the third flight for the Falcon 9 booster.

SpaceX launches 60 Starlink satellites and lands rocket at sea

By Amy Thompson last updated

SpaceX delivered its 13th batch of Starlink satellites to orbit Tuesday (Oct.6), following a two-week delay due to bad weather.

Satellites
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket (left) carrying the GPS II SV04 navigation satellite for the U.S. military stands atop Space Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Another Falcon 9 carrying 60 Starlink internet satellites can be seen in the background at right at NASA's Pad 39A of the Kennedy Space Center.

SpaceX will launch an advanced GPS satellite for the US Space Force tonight. Here's how to watch.

By Amy Thompson last updated

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch an upgraded global positioning satellite (GPS) into orbit for the U.S. Space Force today (Sept. 30) and you can watch it live online.

Satellites
A United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket carrying the NROL-44 spy satellites stands atop Pad 37 of the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida ahead of a planned launch on Sept. 27, 2020.

You can watch a US spy satellite launch on a giant Delta IV Heavy rocket overnight tonight. Here's how.

By Amy Thompson last updated

Liftoff is scheduled for 12:10 a.m. EDT (0410 GMT) on Sunday (Sept. 27).

Satellites
SpaceX will launch 60 new Starlink internet satellites from Pad 39A of NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida on Sept. 28, 2020.Shown here: A different Falcon launches the Starlink 11 mission on Sept. 3 from the same pad.

Watch SpaceX launch 60 new Starlink internet satellites into orbit today

By Amy Thompson last updated

SpaceX will launch 60 Starlink satellites into orbit today (Sept. 28) and you can watch it live here.

Satellites
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket approaches its landing site after successfully launching the SAOCOM 1B satellite for Argentina from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Aug. 30, 2020.

Hitch a ride to space (and back) on a SpaceX Falcon 9 in this awesome video

By Amy Thompson last updated

Falcon 9 made a rare onshore landing following its historic launch on Aug. 30.

Private Spaceflight
A SpcaeX Falcon 9 rocket carrying 60 Starlink internet satellite lifts off from Pad 39A of NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Sept. 3, 2020.

SpaceX launches 60 Starlink internet satellites, sticks rocket landing

By Amy Thompson published

SpaceX delivered a new batch of its Starlink satellites into orbit today (Sept. 3) and nailed a rocket landing, following a few delays.

Satellites
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the SAOCOM 1B Earth-observation radar satellite for Argentina and two small rideshare payloads launches into orbit from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Aug. 30, 2020.

SpaceX launches Earth-observation satellite for Argentina, nails rocket landing

By Amy Thompson last updated

SpaceX launched an Earth-observation satellite along with two small piggyback payloads today (Aug. 30) and aced yet another rocket touchdown.

Satellites
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying 58 Starlink internet satellites and three Planet SkySat Earth-observation satellites launches from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Aug. 18, 2020.

SpaceX doubleheader! Watch 2 Falcon 9 rockets lift off from Florida Sunday

By Amy Thompson last updated

SpaceX is preparing for a potential launch doubleheader on Sunday (Aug. 30), and you can watch the action live online.

Launches & Spacecraft
A United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket on the launchpad.

A huge Delta IV Heavy rocket will launch a new US spy satellite overnight. Here's how to watch.

By Amy Thompson last updated

A United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket is set to blast off on Saturday (Aug. 29) at 2:08 a.m. EDT (0608 GMT) with it a satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office.

Satellites
SpaceX's first Falcon 9 booster to fly six times returns home to Port Canaveral in Cape Canaveral, Florida on Aug. 21, 2020 atop the drone ship landing platform Of Course I Still Love You. The rocket launched 58 Starlink satellites and three Planet SkySats from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Aug. 18.

SpaceX's most-flown Falcon 9 rocket booster yet returns to Florida home port

By Amy Thompson last updated

SpaceX's most-flown Falcon 9 rocket booster yet, a six-time flier, returned to its home port Friday (Aug. 21) after its latest successful mission.

Launches & Spacecraft
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying 58 Starlink internet satellites and three Planet SkySat Earth-observation satellites launches from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Aug. 18, 2020.

SpaceX launches 58 Starlink satellites and 3 SkySats, sticks rocket landing

By Amy Thompson published

SpaceX successfully launched 58 Starlink internet satellites and with three small Planet SkySats today (AUg. 18), then nailed a rocket landing at sea.

Satellites
A view of Planet's SkySats 19, 20 and 21 launching on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket alongside 58 Starlink satellites. Liftoff is set for Aug. 18, 2020 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

SpaceX to launch dozens of Starlink satellites and 3 Planet SkySats Tuesday. Here's how to watch live.

By Amy Thompson last updated

SpaceX will launch 58 Starlink satellites and three Planet SkySats on Tuesday, Aug. 18. Here's how to watch live.

Satellites
The U.S. Department of Defense has picked SpaceX and United Launch Alliance as its primary national security payload launch providers. Left: A SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch. Right: ULA's planned Vulcan Centaur rocket.

Pentagon picks SpaceX, ULA to launch national security missions

By Amy Thompson published

The Department of Defense is sticking with SpaceX and United Launch Alliance as its two primary launch services for U.S. national security missions.

Missions
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