Robert Z. Pearlman
Robert Pearlman is a space historian, journalist and the founder and editor of collectSPACE.com, a daily news publication and community devoted to space history with a particular focus on how and where space exploration intersects with pop culture. Pearlman is also a contributing writer for Space.com and co-author of "Space Stations: The Art, Science, and Reality of Working in Space” published by Smithsonian Books in 2018.In 2009, he was inducted into the U.S. Space Camp Hall of Fame in Huntsville, Alabama. In 2021, he was honored by the American Astronautical Society with the Ordway Award for Sustained Excellence in Spaceflight History. In 2023, the National Space Club Florida Committee recognized Pearlman with the Kolcum News and Communications Award for excellence in telling the space story along the Space Coast and throughout the world.
Latest articles by Robert Z. Pearlman
![A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches 23 Starlink satellites from California on Feb. 10, 2025.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/miaEbFCpoShkXydVfHiwkC-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX launches 23 Starlink satellites to orbit from California
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
A new batch of SpaceX Starlink satellites are now in orbit after a successful launch from California on Monday (Feb. 10).
![printed copies of paintings, drawings and poetry are hung on window panes aboard a space station](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xtcW3JzPUgwaggXpDxjy3c-320-80.jpg)
Students' contest-winning pen, paint and poetry works shown aboard space station
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
A worldwide contest has again redefined the concept of "high art" by briefly converting the International Space Station into a gallery for the winners' works.
![a blue and yellow gumdrop-shaped emblem and a handwritten note on a white lined piece of notebook paper](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iNBEKx9r3EMSBn5JtmTCEZ-320-80.jpg)
Auction offers Neil Armstrong's reply to NASA engineer's Apollo 11 mission patch ideas
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Neil Armstrong was appreciative, but it was too late. The Apollo 11 crew had a design for the first moon landing. Armstrong's note and the patch idea that inspired it are now up for auction.
![a film still showing a blurry image of an astronaut in a white spacesuit swinging a golf club on the moon and a photo of an autograph golf ball](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DR6RVxfSJrgTMzNyvWb4EX-320-80.jpg)
What brand of golf ball did Alan Shepard hit off the moon? The world may never know
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Carlos Villagomez owns a golf ball that he believes was flown to the moon. If indeed it was, he may also hold the answer to a bit of trivia that otherwise may be forever lost to time.
![a crowd gathers under the museum display of a large black and white rocket alongside a sign promoting the release of a movie trailer](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZBTAN8F3jmfwkcsgVTthyd-320-80.jpg)
The Fantastic Four meets Saturn V: 'First Steps' trailer launched at rocket center
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Disney's Marvel Studios launched its first look at "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" by broadcasting from the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Alabama.
![the oval office in the white house with the president at his desk and press photographers across from him with insets showing where a moon rock had once been and an urn has taken its place](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iLhbTxL5TH8oaSjCFK3LGd-320-80.jpg)
Trump administration removes Apollo moon rock from White House Oval Office
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Whether President Donald Trump still supports returning astronauts to the lunar surface remains to be seen, but one thing is for certain: the moon no longer has a place in his White House.
![embroidered circular patches, one mounted to a backing card, displaying the same design of an astronaut in a multicolor spacesuit floating above Earth.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Tshk2szCdHTPBFdgkrywJR-320-80.jpg)
Astronaut's mission 'back to Earth' lands on colorful spacesuit patch
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Astronaut Nicole Stott, who has made it her mission to promote the healing power of art and the need to protect our planet, has inspired a new "Signature Edition" embroidered patch.
![a white-haired man looks down at his phone backdropped by mountains](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qXvW8kpoLqgTnjY2dHEUFH-320-80.jpg)
Magnificent communication: Apollo 11 moonwalker Buzz Aldrin tests Verizon satellite service in new ad
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Apollo 11 moonwalker Buzz Aldrin has teamed up with Verizon to help promote the company's satellite-based solution to cell service "dead zones" in a new commercial.
![A white rocket lifts off into the fog blanketing its launch pad.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Lv63aopX7ZP4xKJkrsknTX-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX launches 22 Starlink satellites to orbit from California
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying 22 Starlink satellites lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025 at 6:02 p.m. EST.
![two astronauts in white spacesuits, one holding a piece of equipment, work outside a space station on a spacewalk](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xQ46XAirneGHhgekWVTvTa-320-80.jpg)
NASA astronauts free stuck radio unit, collect microbes and set record on station spacewalk
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore were able to remove a stuck radio communications unit on a record-setting spacewalk on Thursday (Jan. 30).
![an audience in a theater views a screen with a still image of a female astronaut](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PHfrxuqopUpiM7fysczXQi-320-80.jpg)
'SALLY' premieres at Sundance with Sally Ride's family, astronaut in audience
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
National Geographic premiered "SALLY," Cristina Costantini's new documentary about the first U.S. woman in space and her untold love, at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah on Tuesday (Jan. 28).
![A rocket lifts off, lighting the black night with its blinding engines.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/AF8xMsM3d56FAPCCnWoZUN-320-80.gif)
SpaceX Falcon 9 launches next-gen SpainSat NG-1 satellite into orbit (video)
By Robert Z. Pearlman last updated
SpaceX launches next generation Spanish communications satellite on Wednesday evening (Jan. 29).
![a Black male and caucasian female astronaut in white spacesuits are seen in portraits taken on the ground](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DFpKzemuffy7W6qpBE4JJ9-320-80.jpg)
Astronaut Hall of Fame to honor Bernard Harris and Peggy Whitson in May
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame will honor its 2025 class of inductees, record-setting space travelers Peggy Whitson and Bernard Harris, at a public ceremony in Florida this spring.
![four stamped and postmark envelopes using U.S. Priority Mail stamps featuring James Webb Space Telescopes images of a star cluster and spiral galaxy](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jcq6cvPTQwuoxNgaqB3AoK-320-80.jpg)
Webb Space Telescope's 'big sky images' issued on stamps in Big Sky, Montana
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The unobstructed skies that gave Big Sky, Montana its name made for an appropriate setting for the release of two postage stamps depicting vistas visible to the James Webb Space Telescope.
![two golden dollar coins are depicted side by side, one with the image of a launching space shuttle and then other with an astronaut floating outside a space station](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MUHbmj8unqj7hxyHAGTKWD-320-80.jpg)
First look at space shuttle, Mission Control 2025 dollar coins from US Mint
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The space shuttle and International Space Station are set to launch onto coins to celebrate advancements made by Texas and Florida. The U.S. Mint has released designs for American Innovation dollars.
![an astronaut in a white spacesuit works outside a space station opposite a space capsule](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FHyXawTKkLDsLMBtoaekD3-320-80.jpg)
Astronauts repair black hole observatory, inspect cosmic ray detector on ISS spacewalk
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
NASA astronauts Nick Hague and Suni Williams completed a six-hour spacewalk to repair and upgrade equipment outside the International Space Station on Thursday (Jan. 16).
![four spacesuited figures are shown in a ride vehicle opposite a photo of the opening day ceremony for Space Mountain at Walt Disney World](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/agL8YMaSzUsgbo2Wd9Mfoc-320-80.jpg)
Space Mountain at 50: Five nods to NASA from the Walt Disney World ride
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The ride today bears little resemblance to actual spaceflight. But in the 50 years Space Mountain has been running, there have been and still are several nods to NASA.
![a small model of a red and white house is mounted to a gold foil-covered lunar rover with white wheels](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/e74cPQ7D4cf94Zh5PmTmHc-320-80.jpg)
Little house on the (moon) prairie: Artist's 'Moonhouse' set to lift off on lunar lander
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The moon is about to gain its first tiny house. Launching on a Japanese lunar lander is the "Moonhouse," a project by Mikael Genberg 25 years in the making.
![a tall, black and white rocket lifts off into a mostly cloudy sky from a Florida launch pad](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CcfsypaVoS8MDWQf4hYTBT-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX launches 21 new Starlink satellites from Florida
By Robert Z. Pearlman last updated
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying 21 Starlink internet satellites lifts off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025.
![a spacesuited astronaut gives thumbs up while a white rocket is lit by spotlights on its launch pad](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UbwMknZmyBKUQJPEgE25Nk-320-80.jpg)
The 'original' John Glenn gave his 'go' for Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
John Glenn's last correspondence before his death was to approve the use of his name for Blue Origin's first orbital-class rocket. Glenn hailed the booster for what it could enable for spaceflight.
![A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches 24 Starlink internet satellites to orbit from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Jan. 6, 2025.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/w6c5TWwxGD5iZkGdhkS9j8-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX launches 1st Starlink satellites of 2025 (photos)
By Robert Z. Pearlman last updated
SpaceX launched the first batch of its internet satellites this year from Florida's Space Coast today (Jan. 6).
![flower-covered parade float depictions of an astronaut riding a Mars rover and a flying drone](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xh4FpQ8qEu8xqhsJdAzNyM-320-80.jpg)
Ingenuity Mars Helicopter flies again as first drone on Rose Parade float
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
NASA's Ingenuity Mars Helicopter is now the first drone to fly on a Rose Parade float. The floral-but-flight-worthy display is just one of the highlights on the JPL-inspired "Rover Rendezvous" float.
![a wooden podium displaying four black pebbles inside a clear lucite ball and a green, white and orange flag](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KHUPFtvKGr3vggd3Jmnrm6-320-80.jpg)
Ireland's lost Apollo 11 moon rock traced from basement to fire in documents
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
New details about the small pieces of the moon gifted by the United States to Ireland in 1970 have now been unearthed. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the Apollo 11 lunar samples.
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