
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

Hubble spies a skewed spiral galaxy | Space photo of the day for May 5, 2025
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Arp 184 or NGC 1961, a skewed or "peculiar" spiral galaxy, is still stunning in this image from the Hubble Space Telescope.

'Falcon' flies on Star Wars Day: SpaceX launches Starlink satellites from Florida
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Living up to its Star Wars' namesake, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket took flight again, delivering 29 Starlink satellites to low Earth orbit on Sunday, May 4th, 2025 — Star Wars Day.

Gaze at a cluster of glowing galaxies | Space photo of the day for May 2, 2025
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Galaxy cluster Abell 1489, as imaged by the International Gemini Observatory, contains more than 200 of the gravitationally-bound systems of stars, stellar remnants, interstellar gas and dust.

NASA astronauts on spacewalk relocate antenna, prep for new solar arrays at space station
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers conducted history's fifth all-female spacewalk on May 1, moving an antenna and partially preparing the ISS for a new set of solar arrays.

ISS astronaut shares recipe for a 'ranger' burger | Space photo of the day for May 1, 2025
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Stacking wheat snack bread, beef steak, cheese spread, potatoes au gratin and gochujang red pepper paste, NASA astronaut Jonny Kim creates his take on a "ranger" burger on the space station.

New Horizons' new map of the galaxy | Space photo of the day for April 30, 2025
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Extensive observations by NASA's New Horizons mission have resulted in the first-ever map of the galaxy in an ultraviolet wavelength.

John Lithgow to launch into life of Apollo 11 astronaut in new podcast 'BUZZ'
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Having explored the 'third rock from the sun,' John Lithgow is heading for its moon. The actor is set to star in the new podcast "BUZZ" about the life of one of the first humans to land on the moon.

NASA engineer Ed Smylie, who led carbon dioxide fix on Apollo 13, dies at 95
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
It was about one in the morning, four hours after an explosion tore through the Apollo 13 spacecraft, when Ed Smylie realized they had to do something about the carbon dioxide.

Tank for 1st Artemis touchdown on the moon | Space photo of the day for April 29, 2025
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
At NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, the liquid hydrogen tank for the Artemis 3 Space Launch System rocket was moved into the factory's final assembly area on April 22, 2025.

Pine Barrens ablaze as seen from orbit | Space photo of the day for April 28, 2025
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Satellite imagery reveals scope of damage from one of the largest fires New Jersey has seen in decades.

SpaceX Crew-11 astronauts put things into perspective | Space photo of the day for April 24, 2025
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The next crew to launch to the International Space Station on a Dragon spacecraft pose inside SpaceX’s Hangar X at Kennedy Space Center.

Hubble Space Telescope at 35 | Space photo of the day for April 24, 2025
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Thirty-five years ago today, the Hubble Space Telescope was launched into Earth orbit.

NASA's SPHEREx team rings bell at New York Stock Exchange | Space picture of the day for April 23, 2025
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The New York Stock Exchange celebrated the launch of NASA's newest astrophysics observatory by having the probe's team ring the closing bell.

It's alive! It's alive! Orion throws back its cover | Space picture of the day for April 22, 2025
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
NASA engineers tested the functionality of Orion's forward bay cover, which is the last component of the spacecraft that must be ejected before parachutes deploy to land.

SpaceX rocket launch creates a 'nebula' in the sky | Space picture of the day for April 21, 2025
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The plume from a rocket engine burn high in Earth's atmosphere caused a glowing spectacle similar in appearance to a nebula.

SpaceX launches its 32nd Dragon cargo mission to the ISS
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
SpaceX launched its 32nd cargo mission to the International Space Station today (April 21), sending more than 3 tons of supplies and scientific hardware to the orbiting lab for NASA.

NASA's oldest active astronaut lands with space station crewmates on his 70th birthday
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
NASA's oldest active astronaut has redefined traveling "home" for your birthday, landing from the International Space Station on the same day that he turned 70.

Cosmic party streamer for Hubble's 35th | Space picture of the day for April 18, 2025
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
A new portrait of a pillar of gas and dust in the Eagle Nebula is a reason to celebrate.

Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong's gold Omega moonwatch sells for record $2.2M at auction
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
A new record has been set for the most paid at auction for an astronaut's timepiece. The 18-karat gold Omega Speedmaster that was presented to Neil Armstrong sold for $2,187,500 with premium.

Haircut on high: Getting a trim in space | Space picture of the day for April 17, 2025
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
"What should I do with my sideburns?" asked the ISS commander of his barber and Expedition 73 crewmate.

A gateway to the Gateway around the moon | Space picture of the day for April 16, 2025
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
One of the first two modules that will form NASA's Gateway platform in orbit around the moon has arrived at its last stop before the launch site.

Star's swan song captured by Hubble Telescope | Space picture of the day for April 15, 2025
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Planetary nebula Kohoutek 4-55 as viewed by the Hubble Space Telescope.

100th person to fly only a suborbital spaceflight | Space picture of the day for April 14, 2025
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Aisha Bowe filled a milestone seat when she flew on Blue Origin's 11th human and first all-female spaceflight on April 14, 2025.

Popstar Katy Perry and crew's Blue Origin spaceflight souvenirs
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
A flag flown to the moon, a cookie from Cookie Monster and a locket gifted by an actress are now all space artifacts, having briefly left the planet with pop star Katy Perry and five more women.

'The Dream is [still] Alive': First IMAX film shot in space at 40 years
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
James Neihouse had one more thing to share. He pulled out a frame displaying strips of tape, each of which had notes from astronauts who filmed the IMAX movie "The Dream is Alive" 40 years ago.
Get the Space.com Newsletter
Breaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more!