Elizabeth Howell
Elizabeth Howell (she/her), Ph.D., was a staff writer in the spaceflight channel between 2022 and 2024 specializing in Canadian space news. She was contributing writer for Space.com for 10 years from 2012 to 2024. Elizabeth's reporting includes multiple exclusives with the White House, leading world coverage about a lost-and-found space tomato on 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?" (ECW Press, 2022) is co-written with astronaut Dave Williams.
Latest articles by Elizabeth Howell
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Artemis 2's Orion capsule goes into altitude chamber to prep for 2025 moon mission (photo)
By Elizabeth Howell published
Today, an altitude chamber. Next year, the moon.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Wxio9nmJB66o6waFMaxHkT-320-80.jpg)
Altair: A guide to the brightest star in Aquila
By Elizabeth Howell last updated
Altair is one of the three stars in the Summer Triangle asterism.
![a space station floats above earth, over an ocean or sea](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FDEKoy6XGkyo4KbCkfr68k-320-80.jpg)
NASA dealing with aging ISS and spacewalk hardware: 'None of our spacesuits are spring chickens'
By Elizabeth Howell published
Crew-8 commander Matthew Dominick says NASA is carefully making decisions for astronaut safety while the ISS deals with a leak, and spacesuit issues, related to aging hardware.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JGTFxEqE4S94gmkb3BNUx6-320-80.jpg)
The Wright brothers and the first airplane flight
By Elizabeth Howell last updated
The Wright brothers made history with the successful flight of their Wright Flyer in 1903.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yMCJPgvWkN5eC4UiRXTTRf-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX's Dragon is about to do something to the ISS it's never done before
By Elizabeth Howell published
The data from the reboost, scheduled for Nov. 8, will help inform design for a larger Dragon to deorbit the ISS.
![two grayish orbs shrink in size as one moves from right to left above the other](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/As42P7zbQs7vXEmWg7NNH4-320-80.gif)
Hera asteroid probe 'waves goodbye' at Earth and moon from 2.3 million miles away (image)
By Elizabeth Howell published
The moon is getting smaller in the window.
![SpaceX Dragon CRS-31 docked at the International Space Station on Nov. 5, 2024.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pLLrzw5cYLowRYoHaY8gRD-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX Dragon cargo capsule arrives at ISS on 31st resupply mission (video)
By Elizabeth Howell last updated
Dragon completed its docking at 10:04 a.m. EST.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8hkRUv8Q5tospge6vKJrP3-320-80.jpg)
NASA's 15-year-old NEOWISE asteroid hunter meets fiery doom by burning up in Earth's atmosphere
By Elizabeth Howell published
NEOWISE spent nearly 15 years in space across two missions.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Vxe88ph32xWMN3XhUVqb8o-320-80.jpg)
Guion Bluford: First African-American in space
By Elizabeth Howell last updated
Guion "Guy" Bluford is a former NASA astronaut who was the first African-American to fly into space. He flew four shuttle missions.
![A black and white SpaceX capsule is parked at a space station with an inset of astronauts at the controls.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/REYqpy8QcjDJcS3X26pxkn-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX Crew-9 astronauts, including Boeing Starliner crew, fly Dragon spacecraft to new ISS parking spot (video)
By Elizabeth Howell last updated
Four astronauts moved their SpaceX Dragon spacecraft to a new space station docking port on Sunday (Nov. 3) to make way for an incoming cargo ship.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ChgH8Z55hyQiXiMbg84Hhg-320-80.jpg)
NASA astronaut captures city lights streaking below ISS in stunning new photos
By Elizabeth Howell published
The long-duration photographs capture Earth in motion.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TPMNzQ6GD8S83ZGQBtLoHg-320-80.jpg)
Satellites watch devastating floods in Spain from space (photos)
By Elizabeth Howell published
Valencia was particularly hard-hit.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7EywfTv7Mmy5jbJWA4aZ6B-320-80.jpg)
Earth sure looks spooky in these 'hyperspectral' images from Europe's Hera asteroid probe
By Elizabeth Howell published
These strange shots of Earth are a Halloween treat.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DHiuBjTGEfwCn6TxoMaDaG-320-80.jpg)
North Korea launches intercontinental ballistic missile to space, reaches record altitude
By Elizabeth Howell published
North Korea test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile on Wednesday (July 12), shortly after complaining about purported spying activity by the United States.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jxqPX9cDFMwzpT666MAnyh-320-80.jpg)
NASA astronaut snaps spooky photo of SpaceX Dragon capsule from ISS
By Elizabeth Howell published
The Dragon, named Freedom, is flying SpaceX's Crew-9 mission for NASA.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xqaSTejUFNn3aUGaywC9LN-320-80.jpg)
NASA to resume ISS spacewalks in 2025 after spacesuit leak
By Elizabeth Howell published
"It's just a matter of when is the right timing."
![a cone-shaped spacecraft visible through another spacecraft window. earth is below](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/s4JRYQCHCFQ6LUdQeicQ5o-320-80.jpg)
Boeing considers selling its space business, including Starliner: report
By Elizabeth Howell published
Boeing may sell its space business in the wake of troubles with its Starliner spacecraft program, according to a new report. But the discussions are at 'an early stage.'
![an astronaut with a helmet visible in the round doorway of a spacecraft hatch, whose door is open showing gears and mechanics](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6zkjQ7FLWsTRMDUMRZtmhK-320-80.jpg)
Artemis 2 astronauts train for emergencies with Orion spacecraft ahead of 2025 moon launch (photos)
By Elizabeth Howell published
Their emergency procedures focused on getting the door open quickly.
![a black and white image of a cone-shaped spacecraft dangling under parachutes at night](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jfhC27LBn6A5GHW3psCo7S-320-80.jpg)
NASA still working to 'correct and rectify' Boeing Starliner issues after 1st test flight with astronauts
By Elizabeth Howell published
Boeing's Starliner had propulsion issues after launching on its first test mission with astronauts. Six weeks after the mission concluded, NASA is working on what to do next.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KxTFWP3w8yYpL5dcceazJb-320-80.jpg)
See Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS eject a tail of gas and dust as it flies past the sun (photos)
By Elizabeth Howell published
The comet's dust trail was more visible in a Navy space telescope than any other.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nyr35mxGDNPoXSSWNDevFa-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX Crew-8 astronaut hospitalized in Pensacola after Dragon splashdown, in 'stable condition'
By Elizabeth Howell last updated
Four astronauts aboard SpaceX Crew-8 went to a Pensacola hospital shortly after their splashdown. NASA said the visit was done as a precaution.
![a tall silver rocket in front of a long low building and blue sky](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/esNpNgnNP2gVR8ZiMmFdVg-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX rolls out Super Heavy rocket for Starship Flight 6 test launch (photos)
By Elizabeth Howell published
SpaceX is getting ready for the next launch of Starship and its rocket, Super Heavy. The rocket is now poised at Starbase in south Texas for preflight testing.
![a white space capsule is seen against the darkness of space, with parts of the international space station visible in the foreground](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CdQqgJQc6rtmL9TqALD5n-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX Crew-8 astronauts undock from ISS after weather delays (photo)
By Elizabeth Howell last updated
SpaceX's Crew-8 astronaut mission for NASA undocked from the International Space Station today (Oct. 23) after several weather delays.
![illustration of a satellite with two long solar panels above a bright earth and lights below](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/r4smjjc84NsDe2AoiHgvYc-320-80.jpg)
Boeing-built communications satellite breaks up in orbit. 'Total loss,' operator says
By Elizabeth Howell published
The Intelsat-33e satellite is in pieces following some kind of problem in geostationary orbit, according to the company and US Space Force. An investigation is ongoing.
![a colorful ball of water floating on the space station](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BEboWK9m82385QvHKYuQtM-320-80.jpg)
NASA astronaut makes dazzling 'Jupiter-like planet' on ISS using water and food coloring (photo)
By Elizabeth Howell published
Microgravity makes water do weird and wonderful things. NASA astronaut Don Pettit took advantage of that fact to create a colorful ball that resembles Jupiter.
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