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
What does the Luna-25 moon lander crash mean for Russia's lunar exploration plans?
By Leonard David published
The first domestically produced moon probe in modern Russia history, Luna-25 was important in both political and scientific terms. The implications of its failure are likely to be considerable.
Russia launches Luna-25 moon lander, its 1st lunar probe in 47 years
By Leonard David published
Russia reignited its moon exploration program today (Aug. 10), sending the Luna-25 lander toward Earth's nearest neighbor.
How European satellite's landmark demise can aid the fight against space junk
By Leonard David published
Mission scientists and engineers took on the tricky task of targeting a remote stretch of the Atlantic Ocean for the reentry of Europe's Aeolus satellite.
Moon mining gains momentum as private companies plan for a lunar economy
By Leonard David published
A number of entrepreneurial groups have shared their strategies to turn the moon into a hustle and bustle world of marketable services.
How will space tourism be impacted by the Titan submersible tragedy?
By Leonard David published
That ill-fated dive of the Titan submersible and loss of its deep ocean exploring occupants has sparked conversation and debate in the world of public space travel.
The US Congress is holding UFO hearings today. What might we learn?
By Leonard David last updated
The chorus of voices calling for the U.S. government to spill the beans on possible alien visitation of Earth is louder than ever. But are we ready for such a revelation?
Asteroid sample incoming: OSIRIS-REx team preps for September landing of Bennu bits
By Leonard David published
Recovery teams are gearing up for the Sept. 24 landing of OSIRIS-REx's asteroid sample in the Utah desert.
Russia's Luna-25 moon lander reaches launch site for August 11 liftoff
By Leonard David published
Luna-25, the first spacecraft from modern Russia to head for the moon, has arrived at Vostochny Cosmodrome in the country's far east ahead of a planned August 11 launch.
This NASA probe has been revealing stunning moon views for 14 years. How long will it last?
By Leonard David published
Over the 14 years since its launch, the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has produced images and data proven that have transformed our understanding of the moon. But how much longer can the orbiter last?
Mars rover Perseverance sets new record for making oxygen on Red Planet
By Leonard David published
Earlier this month, the MOXIE oxygen-making experiment on the Perseverance Mars rover achieved a major milestone.
Will Artemis astronauts look for life on the moon?
By Leonard David published
Astronauts on NASA's Artemis moon missions might look for signs of life in shadowed polar craters — life that could have traveled with people from Earth.
Can NASA's Artemis moon missions count on using lunar water ice?
By Leonard David published
While many missions aim to explore permanently shadowed regions on the moon for water ice, it must be asked how realistic it is to expect to find enough ice on the moon to support human habitation.
ChatGPT on Mars: How AI can help scientists study the Red Planet
By Leonard David published
While ChatGPT + AI is a powerful tool that can augment new discoveries, it can't yet replace the human-driven process of synthesizing new information to generate new insights into science.
Satellite megaconstellations are threatening astronomy. What can be done?
By Leonard David published
Astronomers are becoming increasingly concerned of being blinded by the light from an estimated 400,000 satellites planned for low Earth orbit in the coming years.
Mars ice deposits could pave the way for human exploration
By Leonard David published
Researchers are working to determine where and at what depths extractable ice exists on Mars. Such deposits could allow humanity to get a foothold on the Red Planet.
Mars on Earth: What months of simulated astronaut missions taught this scientist
By Leonard David published
Meet Anastasia Stepanova, a PhD student in space resources and a veteran of multiple missions here on Earth that simulate the conditions human crews would experience spaceflight.
NASA sets sights on a next-generation Mars helicopter to return Red Planet samples
By Leonard David published
Work is now underway to shape a new Mars helicopter design following the groundbreaking flights of NASA's robotic Ingenuity rotorcraft.
The eyes have it! Scientists focus in on how microgravity changes astronaut vision
By Leonard David published
Scientists and space agencies are working to develop ways to mitigate the microgravity-induced changes to the human eye that astronauts experience while in space.
The big reveal: What's ahead in returning samples from Mars?
By Leonard David published
The Mars Sample Return mission is an ambitious endeavor that could see Martian geological specimens returned to Earth to search for signs of life on the Red Planet.
Mystery object shot down over Yukon may have been harmless 'pico balloon'
By Leonard David published
The object blasted out of the sky over the Yukon on Feb. 11 may have been an amateur radio pico balloon — specifically, a 33-inch-wide one called K9YO-15.
What are these mystery objects that US fighter jets keep shooting down?
By Leonard David published
What do these sky-high visitations mean, if anything, to the UFO/UAP community? Are there any lessons to be learned from these incidents?
New UFO docuseries seeks to shed light on flying saucer folklore
By Leonard David published
A new National Geographic docuseries by investigative journalist Leslie Kean aims to shed light on the modern UFO phenomenon.
How fallen space junk could aid the fight against orbital debris
By Leonard David published
Analysis of space junk that has fallen to Earth could help researchers design rockets and spacecraft that break up more completely during the reentry process.
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