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
Mayo on a mission: Sir Kensington's aims to bring taste to space with its condiments
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Astronauts aboard the International Space Station could soon add new taste to their food if a 'certain space agency' accepts the proposal of a condiments company.
GiGi, Axiom's spacesuit-clad Build-A-Bear zero-g indicator, returning to orbit on Ax-3
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
As it turns out, when you build a bear to fly into space, one mission is not enough. 'GiGi,' the Build-A-Bear doll outfitted in Axiom Space's lunar spacesuit, will be returning to orbit on Ax-3.
DHL delivering Everest rock, 'meme' coin to the moon on Astrobotic lander
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
A rock from Mount Everest, a time capsule from Belgium, a physical 'meme' coin and a letter from a private astronaut are now being delivered to the moon's surface by DHL.
Australia celebrates space history on world's 1st coin minted in 2024
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The world's first coin to be struck in 2024 highlights space history. 'Out of this World - Australia in Space' was chosen by the Royal Australian Mint as its 2024 theme.
Up next for Endeavour LA exhibit: Tank lift and shuttle shrink wrap
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Just days after it was taken off exhibit and as its external tank is scheduled for its brief return to flight, NASA's retired space shuttle Endeavour is heading under wraps.
Lego announces new space-themed kits for 2024 including Mars base, rockets and rovers
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Lego is blasting off into 2024 with a slew of new space-related sets that for the first time span several of its most popular themes.
End of year, end of exhibit: Space shuttle Endeavour goes off view for a few years
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
With the end of 2023 comes the end of an endeavor — or rather Endeavour — as the retired NASA space shuttle goes off public view at the California Science Center for the next few years.
History-making SpaceX Falcon 9 booster mostly destroyed in post-flight topple
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The first commercial rocket to launch astronauts has met its end after being destroyed during its latest post-flight recovery. The SpaceX Falcon 9 first stage tipped over after a record 19th flight.
Mold-A-Rama and the space shuttle over Earth: A space age toy story
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The space shuttle reentered orbit this fall after a 15-month retirement, and this time it was bright blue. The new orbiters are identical to the first ones pulled out, but this time are from Chicago.
Home (Alone) on Mars: Actor Daniel Stern on leading NASA in 'For All Mankind'
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
If there is a multiverse where every possible outcome happens, then in one of those universes Marv Murchins from "Home Alone" is NASA's chief. Such a thing is playing out on 'For All Mankind.'
NASA donates Ingenuity Mars Helicopter prototype to Smithsonian
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The Smithsonian would love to display the first vehicle to achieve powered flight on another world, but with Ingenuity still busy on Mars, the institution has accepted the next best thing.
Saturn V moon rocket art revealed for 2024 American Innovation $1 coin
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The United States Mint is getting ready to put a rocket in your pocket. Alabama chose NASA's historic Saturn V to appear on a $1 coin as its example of American Innovation.
New 'For All Mankind' patches feature 4th season Mars base and asteroid missions
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Midway through Season 4 of 'For All Mankind,' Icon Heroes has released a new set of patches that are neither too big (with spoilers), nor too small (with screen-accurate details).
Ex-NASA scientist dishes on space food in new memoir 'Space Bites'
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Of all of the food items she helped send into space, Vickie Kloeris' favorite was the cherry-blueberry cobbler. A NASA food scientist for 34 years, Kloeris has published her memoir 'Space Bites.'
Private cargo spacecraft named for shuttle-era astronaut who died of plane crash injuries
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
NASA astronaut Patricia Hilliard 'Patty' Robertson, who died from injuries sustained in a plane crash, is Northrop Grumman's chosen namesake for its first Cygnus to launch atop a SpaceX rocket.
NASA marks 25th anniversary of ISS with call to crew on space station
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Twenty-five years ago, Bob Cabana was at space shuttle Endeavour's controls when he fired thrusters to dock a U.S.-built node with a Russian module, giving birth to the International Space Station.
Solid rocket boosters for shuttle Endeavour exhibit capped with nose cones
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The work to stand up two rockets for the launchpad-like exhibit of NASA's retired space shuttle Endeavour has been capped, literally and figuratively, with the addition of two nose cones.
From Earth orbit to the moon: Europe's I-Hab continues Spacelab 40-year legacy
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
A legacy of European-built and operated space modules, which began in Earth orbit and is now heading for the moon, got its start with Spacelab 40 years ago.
Mary Cleave, space shuttle astronaut who led NASA's science division, dies at 76
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Mary Cleave, who launched twice on the space shuttle before becoming the first woman to head NASA's science division, has died. Cleave was the 10th woman to fly in space and spent 11 days in orbit.
Denmark's comic strip bear Rasmus Klump takes a spin on the space station
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Denmark's first astronaut, Andy Mogensen, marked the midpoint of his second mission on the ISS by comparing his zero-g skills against those of another Danish icon, Rasmus Klump.
SpaceX's Starship is now a Matchbox Sky Busters die-cast toy
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
SpaceX's Starship has launched into space and landed as a Mattel Matchbox toy. The reusable spacecraft is among the latest additions to the classic toy brand's line of aircraft (and spacecraft).
Fisher Space Pens to fly with Blue Origin crews as 'official ballpoint'
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Fisher Space Pen has new Blue ballpoints. The maker of the pressurized-ink writing instruments has partnered with Blue Origin to become the company's pen provider for all upcoming crewed launches.
Chickasaw astronaut 'signs' patches for Native American girls' Space Camp fund
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The first enrolled member of a Native American tribe to fly into space is helping inspire a new generation of Native American girls to possibly to do the same with a limited edition emblem.
Season 4 of 'For All Mankind' debuts with alternate asteroid history
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The events of 2003 changed the direction of human space exploration — both in our timeline and that of the alternate history series "For All Mankind." The fourth season picks up in 2003.
Frank Borman, Apollo 8 astronaut who led first flight to the moon, dies at 95
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Former NASA astronaut Frank Borman, who in 1968 led the first mission to fly humans to the moon, has died. Borman lifted off twice: on the Gemini 7 mission in 1965 and Apollo 8 into lunar orbit.
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