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
![a cone-shaped spacecraft above the earth at night. streaks of light indicate a time exposure image and movement](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TVfn9jHPsxEZ67ipvDR7xJ-320-80.jpg)
50 days after launch to ISS, Boeing Starliner astronauts still have no landing date
By Elizabeth Howell published
Boeing's Starliner does not have a landing date yet, but the troubleshooting is making progress. Engineers plan a "hot fire" test this weekend to see how the spacecraft does in orbit.
![a rocket on its side going into a large building that has banners for the artemis program, the u.s. flag and nasa at the top](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sHpDrhjVvhEvqjQyqhxXs9-320-80.jpg)
Watch NASA's massive Artemis 2 rocket core stage arrive in Florida. Next stop: the moon (video, photos)
By Elizabeth Howell published
Artemis 2's core stage is near its launch site in Florida after sailing more than 900 miles from New Orleans. The rocket is scheduled to send NASA astronauts around the moon in 2025.
![an astronaut wears a helmet that includes a glowing green screen in front of his right eye](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/x6qK3FAhstpiGM35t98H5Z-320-80.jpg)
'We're pushing the limits:' Artemis 2 backup astronaut on 2025 round-the-moon mission (exclusive)
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA's Artemis 2, a round-the-moon mission with astronauts, is scheduled for a 2025 liftoff. But as backup astronaut Andre Douglas notes, safety will come before schedules on the pioneering effort.
![artist's impression of a cone-shaped spacecraft, powered by solar arrays, firing its engines while docked to the international space station. the curve of earth and black of space is visible behind](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/f8uHfASTFsNTmzqfm9BoXP-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX has dreamed up a Dragon ship on steroids to drag the ISS out of space
By Elizabeth Howell published
SpaceX's Dragon series now has a new entrant: a larger, tougher variant that will send the ISS to its doom sometime in the 2030s.
![A bootprint on the surface of the moon, taken by Apollo 11's Buzz Aldrin during the first human moon landing on July 20, 1969.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4hwU37oCiwcP5MfVNjwVPQ-320-80.jpg)
'Space can unite a troubled country in troubled times': NASA chief calls for unity 55 years after Apollo 11 moon landing
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA administrator Bill Nelson is calling for unity among both major U.S. political parties amid the 55th anniversary of the first human moon landing on Saturday (July 20).
![a ghostly lit picture of astronaut chris cassidy in a spacesuit in space. the astronaut holds on to the international space station hatch with his right hand](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8qi7vVbB3HaA2SoZcBgLQC-320-80.jpg)
NASA delays ISS spacewalks indefinitely to investigate spacesuit coolant leak
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA had planned to hold its next spacewalk at the end of July, but now that's off the schedule. An investigation continues after a June 24 coolant leak during a spacewalk.
![three headshots of women in parachute helmets, side by side](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yZ6geyXUb9TJzUzPvNNt7i-320-80.jpg)
1st stratospheric skydive by a woman delayed to 2026, Hera Rising says
By Elizabeth Howell published
Hera Rising, the first effort to bring a woman skydiver into the stratosphere, now plans to launch its historic mission in 2026. Fundraising is one of the things the group is working on.
![white frost-like material builds up around a cone-shaped rocket nozzle as it glows orange](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eX4dECJAhHCKQvE26NqGua-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX launches to ISS are under independent NASA review after rare Falcon 9 rocket failure
By Elizabeth Howell published
"This is our top company priority right now."
![an astronaut giving a thumbs-up inside a spacesuit, while lying on his back near a filing cabinet](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tBgDiFzsejv8skTyCx9s6a-320-80.jpg)
Snazzy spacesuit! Artemis 2 moon mission backup astronaut Andre Douglas tries on his lunar duds (photos)
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA astronaut Andre Douglas tried on his Artemis 2 spacesuit to get ready to backup the 2025 mission. The spacecraft will fly around the moon with four astronauts.
![the international space station as photographed while looking down at Earth](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tZWGuwfJ94SUYEuhwJUf9-320-80.jpg)
ISS could 'drift down' for a year before SpaceX vehicle destroys it in Earth's atmosphere
By Elizabeth Howell published
Bringing down a huge space complex will take time.
![elon musk bowing with his hand pointing to the right](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iViH5D5iQkJb3ppQa8Lg8V-320-80.jpg)
Elon Musk says he'll move SpaceX headquarters to Texas over new California LGBTQ+ law
By Elizabeth Howell published
SpaceX's Elon Musk, father to a transgender daughter, says he will move his space company to Texas because he feels California is being too protective of LGBTQ+ kids.
![a white frost-like substance builds up around the base of a metal cone glowing bright orange. the curvature of earth can be seen in the background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eX4dECJAhHCKQvE26NqGua-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX wants to resume Falcon 9 rocket launches while FAA completes investigation
By Elizabeth Howell published
SpaceX is seeking a rapid return to Falcon 9 launches following a rare failure of its workhorse rocket during a satellite launch last week.
![a view of the international space station and its solar panels in front of earth](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6UYSkyRJRdgvqJ6D68HdDQ-320-80.jpg)
Rare SpaceX rocket failure shows exactly why NASA wants 2 commercial options to fly astronauts to ISS
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA wants two U.S. spacecraft to send astronauts to ISS. Backup options are once again in play after a rare rocket failure last week indefinitely grounded SpaceX's Crew Dragon.
![view looking down on a rocket with flames spewing out the bottom. blurry earth is in the background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/L72bWbSHjtSradaH9UddgD-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket failure forces NASA to evaluate astronaut launch schedule for ISS
By Elizabeth Howell published
SpaceX is supposed to send a new group of astronauts to the ISS in mid-August. But after a rocket failure, NASA and SpaceX are figuring out what to do next.
![an astronaut in a jet cockpit looking over his should in the middle of a flight](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YQawumEZChu8LDgmHC9NVY-320-80.jpg)
'This is how we get to Mach 3:' Virgin Galactic's Jameel Janjua on his long journey to space (exclusive)
By Elizabeth Howell published
Jameel Janjua made it 'to the bitter end' in a Canadian astronaut government selection in 2009, but wasn't chosen. He found a different path to space, however: Virgin Galactic.
![a timelapse image showing an astronaut moving from the back to the front of a module in the international space station. at back is an american flag](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fPKzDgYWbsnb8aQPTYPdLk-320-80.jpg)
'No fireworks on ISS,' so astronauts experiment with 'light painting' instead (photos)
By Elizabeth Howell published
Eerie new ISS photos appear to show a ghost in the machine during Independence Day. NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick and others did 'light painting' with the U.S. flag in the background.
![an astronaut on the space station with the background blurry behind him](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sV5jpfGgsGZUZ4JsnjJ7Ld-320-80.jpg)
Streaks in space! ISS astronaut's incredible timelapse photos highlight ghostly solar panels and lovely star trails
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick has spent some of the last few months experimenting with long exposures in space photography. The images give a rare glimpse of life on the move in orbit.
![Illustration of a Polaris Dawn crewmember conducting the first-ever private spacewalk.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RcxpQm9zPPNBHC3hTSeepH-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX targeting July 31 for launch of historic Polaris Dawn astronaut mission
By Elizabeth Howell published
SpaceX is targeting July 31 for the launch of the four-astronaut Polaris Dawn mission, which will feature the first-ever private spacewalk.
![an astronaut looking at the sky in a simulated spacesuit helmet. on his right eye is a small screen used for augmented reality work](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/A6DhcEuq8KBRWdZUSdQQYW-320-80.jpg)
NASA announces Artemis 2 moon mission backup astronaut — Andre Douglas will support 2025 lunar liftoff
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA astronaut Andre Douglas has been named the backup astronaut for three astronauts on NASA's round-the-moon mission. Douglas was certified for liftoff earlier this year.
![A white space capsule seen through a window in space, above Earth.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MSGLQi2vuwfCMJmUaWLXj4-320-80.jpg)
Boeing's Starliner can stay in space beyond 45-day limit, NASA says
By Elizabeth Howell published
Boeing's Starliner is rated to stay in space for 45 days on its historic first astronaut mission, but that's going to be extended soon. Ground testing on its thrusters will start as soon as July 2.
![a white rocket launches into a blue sky](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7XaRiDfGy9PZrRkQtxJnim-320-80.jpg)
Former cryptocurrency company plans reality TV competition to pick next Blue Origin spaceflight crew
By Elizabeth Howell published
A reality television series may follow a company's efforts to send the 1st Nigerian and others to space aboard a Blue Origin vehicle.
![two images side by side. one is a rusty circular device. the second is a box with two circles on it, with dials](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bTtUNKkYj6uxZb46v2ucUj-320-80.jpg)
This mysterious ancient computer has a 'calendar ring' that followed the lunar year
By Elizabeth Howell published
A hand-powered calculator from 2,000 years ago, known as the Antikythera mechanism, had a calendar ring that likely followed the lunar year.
![A white space capsule seen through a window in space, above Earth.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MSGLQi2vuwfCMJmUaWLXj4-320-80.jpg)
Boeing's Starliner spacecraft still doesn't have a landing date, NASA says
By Elizabeth Howell last updated
Boeing Starliner's spacecraft doesn't have a landing date, but the spacecraft is stable at the ISS and will remain there as a new round of testing begins.
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