Elizabeth Howell
Elizabeth Howell (she/her), Ph.D., was a staff writer in the spaceflight channel between 2022 and 2024 specializing in Canadian space news. She was contributing writer for Space.com for 10 years from 2012 to 2024. Elizabeth's reporting includes multiple exclusives with the White House, leading world coverage about a lost-and-found space tomato on the International Space Station, witnessing five human spaceflight launches on two continents, flying parabolic, working inside a spacesuit, and participating in a simulated Mars mission. Her latest book, "Why Am I Taller?" (ECW Press, 2022) is co-written with astronaut Dave Williams.
Latest articles by Elizabeth Howell
This mysterious ancient computer has a 'calendar ring' that followed the lunar year
By Elizabeth Howell published
A hand-powered calculator from 2,000 years ago, known as the Antikythera mechanism, had a calendar ring that likely followed the lunar year.
Boeing's Starliner spacecraft still doesn't have a landing date, NASA says
By Elizabeth Howell last updated
Boeing Starliner's spacecraft doesn't have a landing date, but the spacecraft is stable at the ISS and will remain there as a new round of testing begins.
Canada begins work on new Canadarm3 robotic arm for upcoming Gateway lunar outpost
By Elizabeth Howell published
MDA Space's Canadarm3 should be ready for the NASA Gateway space station at the moon in 5 years with a new design and testing contract from the Canadian Space Agency.
NASA astronaut gives tips to Baseball Hall of Fame from ISS (video)
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA astronaut Jeanette Epps says baseball games in space might have more spin. She spoke from the ISS as part of the Baseball Hall of Fame's Black Baseball Initiative.
ISS astronauts take shelter in Boeing Starliner and other return spacecraft after June 26 satellite breakup
By Elizabeth Howell published
ISS astronauts retreated to three return spacecraft late on June 26 after a satellite breakup incident in a nearby orbit. NASA cleared the crew to return to their duties after 1 hour.
ULA delays Dream Chaser space plane launch to certify Vulcan Centaur rocket for US military missions
By Elizabeth Howell published
ULA will switch launches for its Vulcan Centaur rocket because the Dream Chaser space plane is not ready yet. Its next two launches will focus on national security certification.
NASA's oldest active astronaut Don Pettit to make 4th trip to ISS on Sept. 11
By Elizabeth Howell published
Don Pettit, NASA's oldest active astronaut and a space shuttle flyer, will return to space no earlier than Sept. 11 aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft.
ISS astronauts conduct 'spacewalk review' after spacesuit coolant leak
By Elizabeth Howell published
ISS astronauts are reviewing spacesuits and spacewalking procedures after a leak during a spacewalk on June 24. NASA's next spacewalk is still scheduled for July 2.
Sprites from space! Astronaut photographs rare red lightning phenomenon from ISS
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick caught a rare surprise while imaging an intense thunderstorm off the coast of South Africa. He spotted a red sprite, a rare type of lightning.
NASA cancels ISS spacewalk due to spacesuit coolant leak (video)
By Elizabeth Howell published
Two NASA astronauts stopped their International Space Station spacewalk today (June 24) after a spacesuit coolant leak. The astronauts were still in the hatch when it happened.
Will Boeing Starliner issues delay its 1st long-duration astronaut flight? It’s too soon to tell.
By Elizabeth Howell published
All issues encountered during the first astronaut mission of Boeing's Starliner capsule must be addressed before the vehicle is certified for long-duration crewed flights.
Virgin Galactic announces international crew for flight on new Delta class space plane
By Elizabeth Howell published
Virgin Galactic announced a private mission with three researchers, which will fly no earlier than 2026 aboard the new Delta class of aircraft.
NASA, Boeing delay Starliner astronaut landing to June 26 amid thruster issues
By Elizabeth Howell published
Boeing's Starliner will come back to Earth with its two astronauts no earlier than June 26. The four-day extension will allow for more thruster testing at the ISS.
NASA and Boeing will discuss Starliner's delayed ISS departure today, and you can listen live
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA will talk about the delayed return to Earth of Boeing's Starliner capsule during a press conference today (June 18), and you can listen to it live.
Shine on, Starliner! Aurora glows green as astronauts test spacecraft ahead of return to Earth June 22 (image, video)
By Elizabeth Howell published
Boeing Starliner has seen its one-week test mission in space double to about two weeks. That allowed time for an incredible aurora show during thruster testing on June 15.
'Everything's a compromise:' How this NASA astronaut put Boeing's Starliner to the test (exclusive)
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA astronaut Bob Hines helped bring the first Boeing Starliner to the International Space Station. Now he's part of the large ground team supporting Crew Test Flight, which launched May 21.
'They're going to test this thing from izzard to gizzard:' NASA hails success of Boeing's 1st Starliner astronaut launch
By Elizabeth Howell published
Boeing's Starliner capsule launched with astronauts on board for the first time today (June 5), and NASA celebrated the milestone.
Boeing's Starliner launches astronauts for 1st time in historic liftoff (photos, video)
By Elizabeth Howell, Josh Dinner published
Boeing's Starliner capsule thundered to orbit today (June 5) with two astronauts on board, kicking off a crucial test flight for the company and for NASA.
Boeing Starliner astronauts arrive at launch site for 1st flight test on June 1 (photos)
By Elizabeth Howell published
The mission was delayed May 6, two hours before launch, after an issue with the Atlas V rocket. A leak on Starliner was later discovered.
SpaceX launches Earth-observing EarthCARE satellite during rocket flight doubleheader (photos, video)
By Elizabeth Howell published
SpaceX launched the EarthCARE mission this afternoon (May 28) after sending aloft a group of Starlink internet satellites this morning.
US condemns failed North Korean rocket launch as breach of international security: report
By Elizabeth Howell published
A spy satellite on board did not reach orbit, according to media reports.
A billionaire hopes to upgrade the Hubble Telescope on a private SpaceX mission, but could it really happen?
By Elizabeth Howell published
Jared Isaacman, the billionaire funder and commander of the Polaris Program missions, spoke on social media recently about why he wants a Hubble Space Telescope mission.
'It's so complicated:' Boeing Starliner teams diagnosing helium leak ahead of June 1 astronaut launch
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA and Boeing are still working through "complicated" issues arising from a small Starliner spacecraft helium leak. Launch is June 1, but that's pending a flight readiness review.
Safety comes 1st for Artemis moon missions despite 'space race' with China, NASA chief says
By Elizabeth Howell published
Artemis 2 is so far expected to fly in 2025, with astronaut safety a priority before the schedule.
Boeing Starliner's 1st astronaut launch delayed again, this time with no new flight date
By Elizabeth Howell published
The 1st astronaut mission aboard Boeing's Starliner will not lift off May 25 as planned. NASA has not yet revealed the cause, but a helium leak has been ongoing in the spacecraft.
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