Robert Z. Pearlman
Robert Pearlman is a space historian, journalist and the founder and editor of collectSPACE.com, an online 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. He previously developed online content for the National Space Society and Apollo 11 moonwalker Buzz Aldrin, helped establish the space tourism company Space Adventures and currently serves on the History Committee of the American Astronautical Society, the advisory committee for The Mars Generation and leadership board of For All Moonkind. 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.
Latest articles by Robert Z. Pearlman
Blue Origin crew, including history's 100th woman to fly to space, lands safely (video)
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
"The Space Gal" has become the 100th woman to fly into space. Emily Calandrelli lifted off as one of the six passengers aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard suborbital rocket today (Nov. 22).
Flight suit worn on 1st all-private astronaut mission to ISS debuts on display
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
When Michael Lopez-Alegria commanded the first privately funded crewed mission to visit the International Space Station, he traded his NASA "blues" for a "Deep Space" and "Mesosphere" flight suit.
The not so 'wicked' path from 'The Wizard of Oz' to the moon landing
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
"The Wizard of Oz" and space exploration are two topics that by all rights should have nothing in common. But as it turns out, if you follow the Yellow Brick Road long enough you reach the moon.
'It's bananas:' Toy fruit becomes first zero-g indicator to fly on SpaceX Starship
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
An artificial banana floated in the microgravity environment of outer space. No longer needing its attached tethers, it just hung there in the bay of its spacecraft's otherwise empty cargo hold.
Documentary director redefines astronaut Eileen Collins as the 'Spacewoman' (interview)
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The dictionary defines "spacewoman" as simply "a woman astronaut." In the case of its latest usage, though, the term carries more meaning. "Spacewoman" is a new film about Eileen Collins.
First quilter in space challenges students, crafters to stitch the moon
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Ten years after launching a patchwork of stars from her place in space, Karen Nyberg is calling for quilters to create the moon. The "Lunar Quilt Block Challenge" is now accepting quilt squares.
Open Gateway: Step into mock lunar orbit habitat at Space Center Houston
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The public can now step into the future of lunar exploration at Space Center Houston by entering an early mockup for Northrop Grumman's Gateway astronaut accommodations around the moon.
At 60 years, monument to NASA's Project Mercury still stands, but what of its time capsule?
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
A 60-year-old tribute to America's first human spaceflight program is standing up to the test of time, but what about the contents of its time capsule not to be opened until 2464?
Moon RACER: Intuitive Machines takes lunar rover out for debut drive
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Intuitive Machines' lunar terrain vehicle (LTV) is not your grandfather's moon buggy. The company's Moon RACER, or Reusable Autonomous Crewed Exploration Rover, just made its public debut.
Go Centaur! Space Force stands up rocket stage at Los Angeles base
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
A Centaur III propellant tank and its rocket engine stand on display at Los Angeles Air Force Base as a testament to its service to both the United States' military and civilian space missions.
Chef Duff Goldman spins up moon-shaped cake for NASA 'Taste of Space'
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Duff Goldman, the host of the Food Network show "Ace of Cakes," has for a third year brought a space-themed cake to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
Who's in your commercial? Capital One ad stars (unnamed) astronaut
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
A banker, an athlete and an astronaut walk onto a stage... No, that is not the setup for a joke, but rather the premise behind a new commercial starring a veteran NASA space traveler.
Apollo 14 astronaut's personal moon-flown Rolex watch sells for record $2.2 million
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
A Rolex watch that was flown to the moon is now the most expensive astronaut timepiece to sell at auction. The personal GMT-Master chronometer worn by Edgar Mitchell sold for $2.2 million.
NASA's Robonaut-2 reunited with its ride into space at Smithsonian
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
NASA's space shuttle Discovery has been reunited with one of its last crew members. The National Air and Space Museum debuted Robonaut-2 (R2), NASA's first dexterous humanoid robot flown into space.
Crew-8 astronauts splash down on SpaceX Dragon Endeavour after weather delays (video)
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Crew-8 is back on Earth after an extended mission and a wait for the weather to clear. Matt Dominick, Mike Barratt, Jeanette Epps and Alexander Grebenkin splashed down on Dragon Endeavour.
Mini '2001' monoliths fly into space on first flight of Blue Origin's 2nd crew ship
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
A number of black slabs modeled after the monoliths in "2001: A Space Odyssey" have made the trip into space and back on the first flight of Blue Origin's second human-rated launch vehicle.
Exclusive: Doritos' 1st ad filmed in space features special 'zero-g' chips (video)
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
It is not a sound often heard in Earth orbit, but in the newly released footage of snack and space history being made, it is clearly there. *Crunch* Doritos is releasing its first ad filmed in space.
Full-size mock space shuttle makes first move towards Downey display
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The parts for a 1972 full-size space shuttle mockup are now about a city block closer to being reassembled and restored for display. The City of Downey, California began relocating "Inspiration."
Blue Origin donates New Shepard rocket and crew capsule to Smithsonian
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos once pledged that if his company's first rocket to reach space and land vertically back on Earth survived, he would put it in a museum. He has made good on his word.
Artemis moon suit designed by Axiom Space and Prada revealed in Milan (photos)
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The next U.S. astronauts to walk on the moon will do so in style. Axiom Space and Prada have revealed the outer cover layer for the AxEMU spacesuit.
Signed steel beams 'top off' L.A. home for space shuttle Endeavour
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The new home of NASA's retired space shuttle Endeavour, the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, has reached new heights and the California Science Center is celebrating with a "topping off" ceremony.
Gateway gift: Northrop Grumman delivers lunar-orbit hab for Space Center Houston display
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
A full-scale mockup of the astronaut accommodations for a small space station orbiting the moon has arrived at Space Center Houston. Northrop Grumman has donated its prototype for the Gateway HALO.
Scrubbed spacewalks, Starliner stay-overs and more: NASA astronaut Tracy C. Dyson discusses her eventful 6 months in orbit
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
NASA astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson reflected on her time in space during a post-flight press conference at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston on Friday (Oct. 4).
First moonwalker Neil Armstrong's speech notes posted online by Purdue
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Neil Armstrong is perhaps best known for saying 12 words on July 20, 1969: "That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind." But there's more to his record, as his alma mater can attest.
Original full-size space shuttle mockup to be restored for Downey display
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
A full-size mockup of the space shuttle orbiter that was built as a contractor's showcase model before NASA decided on the spacecraft's final design is heading back on display in Downey, California.
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