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

Starliner and Crew-9 astronauts arrive home in Houston: Space photo of the day
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
After splashing down off the coast of Florida, the latest crew to return from the International Space Station arrived by jet in Houston.

Never-‘stuck’ Starliner astronauts return to Earth at last with Crew-9 duo in Spacex Dragon splashdown
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The first astronauts to fly on two different commercial spacecraft during a single mission, Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, returned to Earth with ISS crewmates Nick Hague and Aleksandr Gorbunov.

'Apollo 1' director surprised by details of ill-fated mission in new documentary
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
It was the opening scene of "Apollo 13" and was recreated for the Neil Armstrong biopic "First Man." It was also included in director Mark Craig's "Last Man on the Moon," inspiring "Apollo 1."

What time is SpaceX's Crew-9 landing today?
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
SpaceX is poised to land its Crew Dragon Freedom with the two ISS crewmates who launched on it and two astronauts who arrived at the space station in June on Boeing's Starliner. Here's how to see it.

SpaceX Crew-10 folds traits, hopes into origami crane zero-g indicator
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
What do you get when you fold together the contributions of four space station-bound astronauts from the U.S., Japan and Russia? A zero-gravity indicator in the form of a crocheted origami crane.

Space photo of the day: Total lunar eclipse crosses the sky above SpaceX's Crew-10 spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
A SpaceX photographer caught this time-lapse image of the March 13-14, 2025 total lunar eclipse from Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Tom Hanks at 'Moonwalkers' film premiere predicts getting busy on moon
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Tom Hanks knows there are two things that are going to happen in the future: the moon will become a home to astronauts and the other — well, it is best to hear it from him.

ESA's Hera probe trains its cameras at Mars' moon Deimos | Space photo of the day March 13, 2025
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
During a flyby of Mars on Wednesday (March 12), ESA's Hera spacecraft inaugurated use of its science instruments to image the smaller of the planet's two moons, Deimos.

Capri Sun takes a swing at an eclipse with limited 'Moon Punch' drink
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Capri Sun now shares another thing in common with NASA. The juice brand and space agency are already using the same foil for their drink packages. Now both are moon-bound.

Astronaut turned to AI to inspire design of SpaceX Crew-10 mission patch
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
In what might be a first in spaceflight history, the next crew to launch to the International Space Station has adopted a mission patch that began with ideas put forth by an AI.

Moon mascot wanted! Your idea could fly as NASA's Artemis II zero-g indicator
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The first astronauts preparing to fly to the moon in more than 50 years want your help identifying their "moon mascot." NASA's Artemis II crew is seeking an original idea for their zero-g indicator.

FAA investigates SpaceX Starship Flight 8 explosion that disrupted commercial flights
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Nine minutes after its launch, SpaceX's latest Starship to attempt to reach space exploded, leaving a trail of debris in its wake. Airports in Florida were forced to halt flights.

Lego partners with moon rover firm Lunar Outpost for 'future product and surprises'
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
A new collaboration has Lego getting ready to "blast off" with the help of Lunar Outpost, a company with a mission now heading for the moon.

Russian cargo ship docks at space station with science, spacesuit and supplies
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
A new delivery of food, fuel and supplies has arrived at the International Space Station by way of a Russian supply ship.

'Land' your own Blue Ghost with Firefly's moon lander building blocks set
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
As eyes turn to Firefly Aerospace's mission control for the company's first attempt at a moon landing, some watching may notice models of the Blue Ghost lander sitting at the consoles.

Belyayev's birthday 'candle': Russia launches ISS cargo ship with logo honoring cosmonaut's centennial
By Robert Z. Pearlman last updated
Russia celebrated a late cosmonaut's 100th birthday with a special logo on the launch shroud of a space station resupply spacecraft.

Columbia Sportswear offers limited edition apparel celebrating its 2nd moon mission
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The gold dots on Columbia Sportswear's new long-sleeve shirt forms more than just the silhouette of a lunar lander. It also represents the tech used to protect the craft and outdoor explorers.

First (and last?) look at Intuitive Machines' next moon lander's footpad designs
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Photos of the next spacecraft to launch to the moon have revealed a detail on the lander's footpads that Intuitive Machines hopes will never be seen again.

SpaceX launches 22 Starlink internet satellites from California
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
SpaceX launched another set of its Starlink internet satellites from southern California on Saturday evening (Feb 22).

Tom Hanks' 'The Moonwalkers' makes US premiere at Space Center Houston
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
It is not unusual to see a Saturn V launch while viewing a film at Space Center Houston. Now, with "The Moonwalkers: A Journey with Tom Hanks," that spectacle stretches beyond the center's screen.

SpaceX launches 23 Starlink satellites to orbit from California
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
A new batch of SpaceX Starlink satellites are now in orbit after a successful launch from California on Monday (Feb. 10).

Students' contest-winning pen, paint and poetry works shown aboard space station
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
A worldwide contest has again redefined the concept of "high art" by briefly converting the International Space Station into a gallery for the winners' works.

Auction offers Neil Armstrong's reply to NASA engineer's Apollo 11 mission patch ideas
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Neil Armstrong was appreciative, but it was too late. The Apollo 11 crew had a design for the first moon landing. Armstrong's note and the patch idea that inspired it are now up for auction.

What brand of golf ball did Alan Shepard hit off the moon? The world may never know
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Carlos Villagomez owns a golf ball that he believes was flown to the moon. If indeed it was, he may also hold the answer to a bit of trivia that otherwise may be forever lost to time.
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