Leonard David
Leonard David is an award-winning space journalist who has been reporting on space activities for more than 50 years. Currently writing as Space.com's Space Insider Columnist among his other projects, Leonard has authored numerous books on space exploration, Mars missions and more, with his latest being "Moon Rush: The New Space Race" published in 2019 by National Geographic. He also wrote "Mars: Our Future on the Red Planet" released in 2016 by National Geographic. Leonard has served as a correspondent for SpaceNews, Scientific American and Aerospace America for the AIAA. He has received many awards, including the first Ordway Award for Sustained Excellence in Spaceflight History in 2015 at the AAS Wernher von Braun Memorial Symposium. You can find out Leonard's latest project at his website and on Twitter.
Latest articles by Leonard David
![a gold-foiled satellite with wide stretch blue solar panels is seen before the black star-filled backdrop of space.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QbtumKp2kJYvZ3KmGpjnsn-320-80.jpg)
Dead, 5,000-pound satellite is falling to Earth today. Will any debris survive the fiery reentry?
By Leonard David published
A European Space Agency spacecraft is making an uncontrolled nosedive into Earth's atmosphere – with elements of the 2.3-ton spent satellite likely to survive the plunge into purgatory.
![astronauts in bulky space suits on mars swing pickaxes at red rocks](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GxHsQh68LifyoS4BPVqJ4E-320-80.jpg)
Humans on Mars could conduct far better science than any machine
By Leonard David published
NASA's moon-to-Mars strategy identifies science as one of three pillars upon which the agency's quest for a sustained human presence throughout the solar system is built.
![a silver metal cannister containing dark grey pebbles](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/L8RaFh6xDqDjgoBv6wKVoP-320-80.jpg)
1st look at asteroid Bennu samples suggests space rock may even be 'a fragment of an ancient ocean world'
By Leonard David published
Space.com caught up with two leading scientists now engaged in extracting and analyzing samples of asteroid Bennu retrieved by NASA's OSIRIS-Rex mission.
![large satellite dishes point upward at the night sky](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CeK2gHy3eDEjUxKxWCCNTk-320-80.jpg)
'It's getting closer and closer for sure.' How SETI is expanding its search for alien intelligence (exclusive)
By Leonard David published
Space.com caught up with Bill Diamond, President and CEO of the SETI Institute for an exclusive, mind-stretching close-encounter discussion regarding the search for extraterrestrial intelligence.
![an illustration of a large telescope suspended in side a crater on the moon](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kPfrrQAEAJPxLRSTBPMMD6-320-80.jpg)
The moon could be perfect for cutting-edge telescopes — but not if we don't protect it
By Leonard David published
Moon-based telescopes would allow astronomers to conduct cutting-edge science. But given how busy the moon is getting, will the lunar surface be free enough from interference?
![the full moon hangs in frame with the orion, inside its payload shell atop the SLS rocket.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mnS4PnUehq6Cxfhy3GZ5dH-320-80.jpg)
Apollo 17 astronauts saw strange flashes on the moon. Will Artemis crews see them too?
By Leonard David published
Lunar scientists have started plotting out photographic objects of interest for the four-person Artemis 2 crew to consider during their flyby of the moon.
![a red planet seen against the blackness of space](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8jUFJVPBZr4CMEg4HcKNjJ-320-80.jpg)
If life exists on Mars, don't count on sample-return missions to find it, scientists say
By Leonard David published
While ambitious plans to return Red Planet samples to Earth are in development, some scientists argue that we should instead find ways to analyze Mars samples on the planet itself.
![a gold metal orb/circle with other circles within, inside each are three bisecting lines. all tones of gold.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KXz8bTdSMYcEVQCJCy7PzV-320-80.jpg)
NASA moon orbiter beams laser off Indian lander in historic 1st
By Leonard David published
NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter recently bounced a laser off India's Vikram moon lander, marking a space-communications first.
![spot-lit satellite dishes on an arid landscape point skyward ere the backdrop of a starry night](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PfrBvsp449iwH6YNbYyRQb-320-80.jpg)
Will we ever be able to communicate with aliens?
By Leonard David published
Scientists are investigating the possible forms that alien languages might take — and whether we might be able to understand them.
![illustration of a rover and a lander on the surface of mars, with a small helicopter, a rocket and a satellite in the sky above them.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BRmR6J25JhBehfYTbwiHMJ-320-80.jpg)
NASA's troubled Mars sample-return mission has scientists seeing red
By Leonard David published
NASA's Mars Sample Return program is the agency’s highest priority in planetary science, but projected multibillion-dollar overruns have some calling the plan a 'dumpster fire.'
![a gold metal orb/circle with other circles within, inside each are three bisecting lines. all tones of gold.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KXz8bTdSMYcEVQCJCy7PzV-320-80.jpg)
NASA's Lunar Retroreflector Network could make landing on the moon much easier
By Leonard David published
Landing on the moon may soon be much easier thanks to NASA's Lunar Retroreflector Array network being carried to the lunar surface on international and commercial landers.
![illustration of a small spacecraft approaching cloudy venus, with the blackness of space in the background.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HKjJrMjmZWAeRRwPxk8KYD-320-80.jpg)
Alien life could thrive in Venus' acidic clouds, new study hints
By Leonard David published
A new study has found that amino acids — the building blocks of proteins — remain stable in concentrated sulfuric acid, the stuff that Venus' clouds are made of.
![a silver spacecraft with gold legs sits in a white room.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Mqh9HZMC8QCgAcm8QQhede-320-80.jpg)
For Astrobotic, big risk (and bigger reward) ride on private Peregrine moon lander's Jan. 8 launch
By Leonard David published
Pittsburgh-based company Astrobotic is gearing up for the Jan. 8 launch of its Peregrine lander, which will try to become the first private spacecraft to land on the moon.
![the sun rises over a reddish-yellow planet](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hESRMzraX7Anb9aC9ZbjSE-320-80.jpg)
1st private mission to Venus will search for alien life in clouds of sulfuric acid
By Leonard David published
The first-ever private mission Venus is slated to launch in 2025. and aims to search for signs of life in its clouds by detecting organic chemistry.
![an illustration showing a giant reflector in space above Earth, partially blocking the light from the sun](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kM9Vcyyai5x4pjmKqL9qie-320-80.jpg)
These scientists want to put a massive 'sunshade' in orbit to help fight climate change
By Leonard David published
A group has been formed to study and promote a space-based sunshade as a method to help fend off global climate change.
![spot-lit satellite dishes on an arid landscape point skyward ere the backdrop of a starry night](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PfrBvsp449iwH6YNbYyRQb-320-80.jpg)
Is humanity prepared for contact with intelligent aliens?
By Leonard David published
A new study calls for humanity to prepare for an encounter with extraterrestrial intelligence and examines the social consequences of such contact.
![a ball of grey boulders and rocks seen against the blackness of space](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ThWMPASDNMXYUdGid9AjSJ-320-80.jpg)
Could we defend Earth against a 'rubble pile' asteroid?
By Leonard David published
Scientists have discovered that many asteroids have the consistency of piles of rubble. Knowing this, how could we defend Earth against one of these asteroids?
![a tower bathes the moon's surface below it in light, while darkness surrounds the circle of light it projects. stars can be seen outside of the cone of light](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LJkEQc5TBC4uDZWPJJeJqh-320-80.png)
Massive 'lighthouses' on the moon could light the way for future lunar astronauts
By Leonard David published
Honeybee Robotics has a plan to build massive lighthouses on the moon to provide light, power and communications infrastructure as part of a plan to develop a lunar economy.
![many different landers, orbiters and other technologies on the surface of the moon or in the space above it](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/C6WZuHnH34TUhLC3TKfkbM-320-80.jpg)
Why is there so much military interest in the moon?
By Leonard David published
The United States' use of military agencies such as DARPA to develop emerging technologies for the moon could be sending a wrong message.
![a circular metal container with a clear glass center, through which grey dirt can be seen](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DDjZai4dKSyNahAvMNmXJ3-320-80.jpg)
China's Chang'e 5 moon samples, beyond NASA's reach for years, are finally available to US scientists
By Leonard David published
For the first time, NASA-funded researchers can apply for access to lunar samples collected by China's Chang'e-5 mission.
![Rocket lifting off and surrounded by plumes of exhaust](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Xfn5apdPScbSWNxmT49hQ6-320-80.jpg)
Can a private space mission pierce Venus's clouds?
By Leonard David published
Amid uncertainty over space agencies’ plans for future Venus exploration, enthusiasm for a private-sector mission grows.
![a graphic showing how a T-shaped space station will become cross-shaped with additional modules](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jkQtd2ETxZfaCfTzhP9jmM-320-80.jpg)
China eyes additional modules for Tiangong space station
By Leonard David published
China will launch an extension module at an appropriate time and upgrade the basic configuration of the space station from the current 'T' shape to a cross shape.
![a metal porthole swings open to reveal a cramped chamber inside lined with wood paneling](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fhm2tWYVSXvPrCorfU8kwP-320-80.jpg)
Russia's long-duration space journey on Earth put 6 people in isolation for a year
By Leonard David published
Russia kicked off another one of its simulated missions this week, this time a 360-day isolation of individuals to imitate flight conditions of a deep space journey.
Get the Space.com Newsletter
Breaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more!