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
New Lego Technic Mars Crew Exploration Rover is sci-fi but built with NASA's help
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Lego and NASA have a long history of collaborating, but the release of the Technic Mars Crew Exploration Rover launched the partnership in a new direction, both for the toy company and space agency.
Water-themed plaque to fly on Europa Clipper to Jupiter's icy ocean moon
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
NASA's Europa Clipper spacecraft, which is dedicated to studying Jupiter's icy ocean moon, will carry with it a metal plaque etched with the ripples created by the many ways humans say "water."
NASA graduates new astronaut class as it begins recruiting for more
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
"The Flies" are ready to fly, so NASA is in need of some new flyboys (and gals). As the space agency welcomed its latest astronauts into its corps, NASA announced it is again accepting applications.
Crew-8's 'family dog' plush is SpaceX's latest zero-g indicator
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Three American astronauts, a Russian cosmonaut and a small English Springer Spaniel plush doll are now on their way to the International Space Station.
Rare OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample debuts at Space Center Houston
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Move over, moon rocks! Space Center Houston has a new type of space stone in its showcase: a sample of the asteroid Bennu.
Adam Sandler's 'Spaceman' used NASA artifacts to create sci-fi film's spaceship
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
There is a scene in "Spaceman" where Adam Sandler, playing a Czech astronaut, floats by a brown duffle bag. What sets the bag apart is that it is an authentic piece of space equipment.
Astronaut Scott Kelly on advising Apple's new space thriller 'Constellation'
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Scott Kelly recently returned to the International Space Station during a trip to Berlin. The replica was built for the off-Earth scenes in "Constellation," the psychological thriller on Apple TV+.
Richard Truly, space shuttle astronaut and NASA administrator, dies at 86
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Richard "Dick" Truly, who was one of the first astronauts to fly on the space shuttle and later led NASA as administrator, has died at the age of 86.
Apollo astronaut's granddaughter opens immersive 'Lunar Light' moonwalk experience in Dallas
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
What do you get when you mix an Apollo astronaut's legacy with a trio of shipping containers, VR technology, the cousin of a 'Star Wars' robot and an escape room? A chance to go to the moon.
Lunar lining: Columbia coat tech insulates Intuitive Machines' newly launched moon lander
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
A technology used to protect the first astronauts to land on the moon is on its way back to the lunar surface, and you may already have some of it in your coat closet.
Canadian astronaut reveals Indigenous art patch for Artemis 2 moon mission
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The first Canadian who will fly to the moon, Jeremy Hansen, now has a patch to represent his own mission, as well as the knowledge passed on by his country's original explorers.
Astronaut Hall of Fame to add shuttle vets David Hilmers and Marsha Ivins in June
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Although they never flew in space together, astronauts David Hilmers and Marsha Ivins crossed paths on the same spacecraft on the same mission. They will now reunite with the orbiter to be honored.
Stomp Rocket 'targets' NASA history with new space toy collection
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
A classic toy brand is putting its foot down on how NASA rockets are launched. After 30 years of producing "kid-powered" projectiles of its own design, Stomp Rocket is releasing its first NASA set.
NASA's Artemis 1 moon capsule to land in renovated Smithsonian gallery in 2026
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
NASA's Artemis 1 Orion spacecraft will be displayed by the Smithsonian as part of the renovated galleries at the National Air and Space Museum in 2026. Four new space galleries are among 12 debuting.
Endeavour lifted onto space shuttle stack for California Science Center exhibit (video)
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
A space shuttle is standing upright for the first time in more than a decade. Cranes lifted Endeavour off a Los Angeles side street and onto an external tank with solid rocket boosters for display.
NASA honors its fallen astronauts on annual Day of Remembrance
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Karen Bassett Stephenson reflected on the loss of her father while standing before the Space Mirror Memorial that bears his name. She joined others to observe NASA's Day of Remembrance.
Bulova adds limited edition meteorite dial to Apollo 15-inspired Lunar Pilot watch
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
How do you enhance the connection that Bulova's Lunar Pilot watch shares with outer space? You replicate the look of the original, but replace its dial with a slice of a space rock.
Limited edition Oreo Space Dunk cookies lift off with chance to fly to 'edge of space'
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Oreo's latest limited-edition flavor, "Space Dunk," comes with an out-of-this-world twist: a chance at enjoying the "cosmic creme"-filled cookies while floating through the stratosphere.
US Priority Mail stamps now feature James Webb Space Telescope images
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
As light reaching the James Webb Space Telescope, it took between 6,500 and 7,600 years to be received. As images on Priority stamps, they will get your mail to its destination much sooner.
'Constellation' trailer teases new 'action-packed space adventure' on Apple TV+
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
After surviving an explosion on board the International Space Station, ESA astronaut Jo Ericsson is thrust into a different mission: to uncover the hidden history of space travel.
World-renowned spaceflight museum set for renovation at Cosmosphere
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The home of a sunken Mercury capsule and the spacecraft that brought the Apollo 13 crew back to Earth is getting an upgrade. The Cosmosphere announced it is ready to renovate its Hall of Space.
'I.S.S.' filmmakers ground suspense thriller in realistic surroundings
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
There are scenes in the movie 'I.S.S.' that could be mistaken for NASA footage. And that's a good thing, because if you title your movie 'I.S.S.', then you better match the ISS on which it is based.
Omega adds Saturn V seconds hand to new Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon watch
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Omega has returned to the 'dark side' of the moon with an updated version of a chronograph saluting the first astronauts to fly there, NASA's Apollo 8 crew.
Last built-for-flight external tank lifted into place for space shuttle Endeavour exhibit
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
NASA's last-existing, built-for-flight space shuttle external tank took to the sky, briefly leaving the ground to become part of the California Science Center's space shuttle Endeavour exhibit.
Axiom astronaut Peggy Whitson hangs up her flight suit — on public display
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The most experienced U.S. astronaut has hung up her flight suit. Peggy Whitson came to Space Center Houston for the reveal of her Axiom Space flight suit as it was placed on public display.
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