Amy Thompson
Amy Thompson is a Florida-based space and science journalist, who joined Space.com as a contributing writer in 2015. She's passionate about all things space and is a huge science and science-fiction geek. Star Wars is her favorite fandom, with that sassy little droid, R2D2 being her favorite. She studied science at the University of Florida, earning a degree in microbiology. Her work has also been published in Newsweek, VICE, Smithsonian, and many more. Now she chases rockets, writing about launches, commercial space, space station science, and everything in between.
Latest articles by Amy Thompson
NASA will launch a new Earth-observing satellite today, here's how to watch
By Amy Thompson last updated
NASA is gearing up to launch a new Earth-observing satellite and you can watch the action live online.
SpaceX's private Inspiration4 astronauts had some toilet trouble in space
By Amy Thompson published
After spending nearly three days in space, the Inspiration4 crew may have more appreciation for the facilities here on Earth — namely, the toilets.
SpaceX's private Inspiration4 crew returns to Earth with historic splashdown off Florida coast
By Amy Thompson last updated
After three days in space, SpaceX's first all-civilian crew returned to Earth tonight, splashing down off the Florida coast to end a historic mission.
SpaceX launches four civilians into orbit on historic Inspiration4 flight
By Amy Thompson last updated
SpaceX made history tonight as it launched a crew of private citizens on a jaunt around Earth.
SpaceX's all-civilian Inspiration4 mission launches today. Here's what to expect.
By Amy Thompson last updated
SpaceX will launch its first all-civilian crew on a three-day journey around the Earth and you can watch the action live online.
The Inspiration4 astronauts are stoked to launch on their history-making SpaceX mission
By Amy Thompson published
SpaceX's private Inspiration4 mission is cleared for launch and the flight's four crewmembers are excited to blast off today (Sept. 15) to embark on a three-day journey around Earth.
The launch of NASA's new Landsat 9 satellite has been delayed by a liquid nitrogen shortage
By Amy Thompson last updated
The launch of NASA's Earth-observing Landsat 9 satellite will be delayed a week due to a shortage of liquid nitrogen.
Inspiration4 crew planning ultrasounds, microbe samples and more to understand health during flight
By Amy Thompson published
The crew of the first-ever all-civilian orbital spaceflight will conduct medical experiments during the flight that will help researchers better understand spaceflight's effects on the human body.
Inspiration4's call signs: The crew of SpaceX's all-civilian mission have special nicknames
By Amy Thompson published
Each member of the four-person crew has a unique call sign, a type of nickname that astronauts and military pilots are given during their training.
The private Inspiration4 astronauts on SpaceX's Dragon may have an epic view … from the toilet
By Amy Thompson last updated
The four Inspiration4 astronauts launching SpaceX's first-ever all-civilian spaceflight this week will have arguably the best bathroom view in human history.
SpaceX launches 51 Starlink internet satellites in the constellation's 1st West Coast launch
By Amy Thompson published
Watch SpaceX launch its 1st Starlink satellites in months
By Amy Thompson last updated
SpaceX will launch its first full stack of Starlink broadband satellites since May tonight (Sept. 13) and you can watch the action live online.
SpaceX names 2 new recovery ships after NASA astronauts
By Amy Thompson last updated
SpaceX's new recovery ships "Bob" and "Doug" sailed into Port Canaveral this month and are named for NASA astronauts.
SpaceX test-fires rocket for Inspiration4, the 1st private orbital mission
By Amy Thompson published
SpaceX just test-fired the rocket that will take the private Inspiration4 mission on a three-day journey around Earth.
Inspiration4: 10 things to know about SpaceX's private all-civilian mission
By Amy Thompson published
With launch just days away, here are 10 things you need to know about the crewed SpaceX flight called Inspiration4.
SpaceX's private Inspiration4 mission is 'go' for launch on Sept. 15
By Amy Thompson last updated
SpaceX and the Inspiration4 team completed the flight readiness reviews on Sept. 2.
SpaceX's newest drone ship returns to port after its 1st rocket landing at sea (photos, videos)
By Amy Thompson published
SpaceX's newest drone ship, "A Shortfall of Gravitas" (ASOG) arrived in port Tuesday (Aug. 31) with its first catch secured to its deck.
SpaceX launches Dragon cargo capsule to space station, nails rocket landing at sea
By Amy Thompson last updated
SpaceX launched its 21st rocket of the year today (Aug 29), sending a robotic Dragon cargo capsule toward the International Space Station before nailing a landing at sea.
You can watch a SpaceX Dragon launch NASA cargo to the space station early Saturday. Here's how.
By Amy Thompson last updated
SpaceX will launch a Dragon cargo ship for NASA to the International Space Station early Aug. 28. Here's how to watch.
SpaceX Dragon to launch big science haul to space station for astronaut health, plant stress and more
By Amy Thompson last updated
Find out what's on board SpaceX's Dragon CRS-23 cargo mission to the International Space Station.
SpaceX test-fires rocket ahead of weekend Dragon cargo launch for NASA
By Amy Thompson published
SpaceX has fired up the rocket that will ferry its next cargo shipment to the International Space Station early Saturday morning.
Russian space officials try to blame NASA astronaut for Soyuz air leak in 2018: report
By Amy Thompson published
NASA said the accusations against Expedition 56 flight engineer Serena Auñón-Chancellor are baseless.
Boeing's Starliner launch, a critical test flight for NASA, delayed indefinitely as capsule heads back to factory
By Amy Thompson published
Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft won't be flying to the International Space Station for NASA this month after all.
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