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
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Cosmonauts on ISS spacewalk encounter coolant 'blob' while inspecting leaky radiator
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Russian cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub got an up-close view of a coolant leak flowing from an external radiator while conducting a spacewalk outside of the International Space Station.
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James Webb Space Telescope photos to feature on US Priority Mail stamps in 2024
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The U.S. Postal Service is granting priority status to the James Webb Space Telescope with two 2024 Priority Mail postage stamps, each featuring a cosmic image captured by the deep-space observatory.
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How astronaut Thomas Pesquet captured the planet in 'The Earth in Our Hands'
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Flipping through his new book of more than 200 photos of Earth taken during his second stay on the International Space Station, you get the sense Thomas Pesquet thoroughly captured the planet.
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Apollo artifacts: NASA salvages parts from Alabama's rest stop Saturn IB rocket
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
At the very end, it was the rocket that took itself down. The Saturn IB was in the final minutes of being laid down when it fell the last 15 feet to the ground.
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Space history and future leap off the screen at NASA's Kennedy Space Center
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Guests at NASA's Kennedy Space Center can now see a space shuttle launch, a SpaceX Starship land on the moon and astronauts walk on the surface of Mars, all before they enter the visitor complex.
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Benjamin Moore partners with Blue Origin to reveal space-themed color of 2024
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
What do you get when you mix a private spaceflight company with a manufacturer of premium and commercial paints? A shade of blue with a focus on STEM education and careers in space.
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'For All Mankind' season 4 moves from Mars to the asteroids in new trailer (video)
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The fourth season of 'For All Mankind' proves that an alternate space history series needn't be all about the past. It can be as current as this week, as the trailer for the Apple TV+ drama shows.
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Here's the (moon) scoop: Mercury 7-flown clock, Apollo lunar shovel up for auction
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The clock is ticking on a space artifacts auction, though this time it is not just any timing device driving the bids. The 'satellite clock' from Scott Carpenter's Mercury capsule is up for sale.
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Rocket booster parts arrive in LA to stand up space shuttle Endeavour exhibit
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
They may not be as iconic as Endeavour or as large as the orbiter's external tank, but the sight of twin rockets moving through the streets of Los Angeles was enough to once again draw a crowd.
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Axiom Space partners with fashion house Prada to design Artemis 3 moon suits
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
A new partnership is taking the concept of haute couture to new heights. Axiom Space has joined forces with Prada to design the spacesuits that NASA's Artemis 3 astronauts will wear on the moon.
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Space telescope images star on new ESA-endorsed Swatch watches
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Now you can select your favorite swath of the universe and display it on it your wrist, thanks to a new collaboration between Swatch and the European Space Agency.

Public invited to watch solid rocket motors arrive for shuttle Endeavour exhibit in L.A.
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The California Science Center is celebrating the anniversary of space shuttle Endeavour's L.A. trip with the delivery of two very large candles. Solid rocket motors are set to stand with Endeavour.
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Disney debuts NASA Perseverance Mars rover tracks at EPCOT's Mission: SPACE
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
NASA's Perseverance rover may have taken a brief detour to Walt Disney World in Florida. Guests visiting EPCOT can now come across a tread like that left by the six-wheeled rover.
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New collectible pin buttons depict 'For All Mankind' space mission patches
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
With the return of 'For All Mankind quickly approaching, now is the time to 'button up' for the alternate space history series' journey to Mars. Fortunately, Icon Heroes has exactly what you need.
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New wristwatch bridges Apollo to Artemis with touch of real moon dust
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
There is an allure to moon dust. Just like its unique adhesive properties, causing it to stick to everything it touches, it tends to draw the attention of everyone who sees it.
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Up close with Intuitive Machine's Nova-C lunar lander before it leaves for the moon
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The first lunar lander to be built in Houston is ready to leave Space City for the moon. Intuitive Machines offered a close-up look at its Nova-C before it ships to Florida for its launch.
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NASA picks 3 museums to display OSIRIS-REx asteroid samples
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
As NASA saw its first asteroid sample return to Earth, three museums took particular notice, knowing they had been chosen to display small examples of the space rock material.

Record-setting NASA astronaut lands with Russian crewmates after 1 year on space station
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The first American to spend a year in space and first Russians to do the same on the International Space Station have landed. Frank Rubio, Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin returned on Soyuz MS-23.
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SpaceX flight-proven rocket hardware to go on display at Smithsonian
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
An engine used to launch an Israeli company's attempt at landing on the moon has landed in the Smithsonian. Along with a grid fin, it is one of the first SpaceX artifacts to join the collection.
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NASA's OSIRIS-REx capsule just landed with samples of asteroid Bennu. Next stop: Texas
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Hey NASA, you've just landed your first samples from an asteroid! Where are they going next? Houston, of course.
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US Postal Service drops new OSIRIS-REx stamp ahead of asteroid sample return
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
NASA's first asteroid sample mission has landed at post offices two days before the spacecraft's return capsule is set to land on Earth. The USPS released a stamp celebrating the OSIRIS-REx probe.
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Tom Hanks returns to the moon with 'The Moonwalkers,' a new visual experience
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
What do you get when you combine the firm that made the Washington Monument into a Saturn V, the imagery of 'Apollo Remastered' and the actor who made 'Houston, we have a problem' a household phrase?
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'A Million Miles Away' director and astronaut José Hernández reveal cameo in new film from Amazon
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
José Hernández is humbled, but also loves "A Million Miles Away." The new film from director Alejandra Márquez Abella is based on the former NASA astronaut's life story.
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Kennedy Space Center post office closing after 58 years of postmarks
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The Kennedy Space Center post office has been cancelled. The contract facility will close permanently this month, after which there will be no more "Kennedy Space Center" postmarks.
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Russian rocket launches 3 spaceflyers for up to yearlong stay on ISS (video)
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub have left Earth to spend a year aboard the International Space Station, flying on Russia's Soyuz MS-24 spacecraft with Loral O'Hara, who will return after six months.
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