![Elizabeth Howell](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RU2kJRoTDQkePFeSZBNxHF.jpg)
Elizabeth Howell
Elizabeth Howell (she/her), Ph.D., is a staff writer in the spaceflight channel since 2022 covering diversity, education and gaming as well. She was contributing writer for Space.com for 10 years before joining full-time. Elizabeth's reporting includes multiple exclusives with the White House and Office of the Vice-President of the United States, an exclusive conversation with aspiring space tourist (and NSYNC bassist) Lance Bass, speaking several times with 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?", is co-written with astronaut Dave Williams. Elizabeth holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Space Studies from the University of North Dakota, a Bachelor of Journalism from Canada's Carleton University and a Bachelor of History from Canada's Athabasca University. Elizabeth is also a post-secondary instructor in communications and science at several institutions since 2015; her experience includes developing and teaching an astronomy course at Canada's Algonquin College (with Indigenous content as well) to more than 1,000 students since 2020. Elizabeth first got interested in space after watching the movie Apollo 13 in 1996, and still wants to be an astronaut someday. Mastodon: https://qoto.org/@howellspace
Latest articles by Elizabeth Howell
![a robot arm with a spacecraft floating above earth. bits of the international space station like solar panels and modules are visible around the edges](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CFcaPDrN7cKYTqNtNtB6kL-320-80.png)
ISS astronauts show what it's like to capture a spacecraft with a robotic arm (video)
By Elizabeth Howell published
Canadarm2 berthed a Cygnus cargo spacecraft on the International Space Station on Feb. 1. This is what it looked like, in space and from the orbiting complex.
![a large T-shaped space station is seen from above with Earth below it](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WFRtLikZwxW9FuokhwYzP5-320-80.jpg)
US space science could fall behind China if private successors to ISS are delayed, Congress warns
By Elizabeth Howell published
A House subcommittee asked NASA about its plan to replace the International Space Station after 2030. New commercial stations are on the way but may not be ready in time.
![a person in a bulky spacesuit floats weightless inside the fuselage of an aircraft surrounded by people in blue flight suits and safety goggles](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kj23wQsGS83yf3eG2YRRfL-320-80.jpg)
This astronaut took 5 spacewalks. Now, he's helping make spacesuits for future ISS crews (exclusive)
By Elizabeth Howell published
Retired NASA astronaut John "Danny" Olivas says he wants to give back in what he thinks is his final career move: developing spacesuits with Collins Aerospace for ISS and moon missions.
![SpaceX Crew-8 crew. From left to right: Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin, NASA astronaut Michael Barratt, NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick and NASA astronaut Jeanette Epps.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YV3hBBgB6uKY2nmNv6CwzW-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX delays Crew-8 astronaut launch for NASA to Feb. 28 to make way for private moon mission
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA will launch the Crew-8 astronauts nearly a week later, on Feb. 28, to "deconflict" from the expected launch date of a robotic moon mission with agency science on board.
![four astronauts in a small spacecraft squatting and smiling at the camera while wearing flight suits](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Kv7W7X463NyVLZLktGMXkS-320-80.png)
How will Artemis 2 astronauts exercise on the way to the moon?
By Elizabeth Howell published
A week or more of floating around is tough on an astronaut's body, especially during a major moon mission. But, in a small spacecraft, finding the right exercise device can be tight.
![lander on the surface of the moon in an illustration, with earth in behind](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JfK3j9qJa3Xe5xnD3cniY7-320-80.jpg)
How NASA's moon landing with Intuitive Machines will help pave the way for Artemis astronaut missions
By Elizabeth Howell published
SpaceX will launch Intuitive Machines' robotic lander toward the moon on Feb. 14. Here's how the mission will help NASA prep for crewed moon missions later in the decade.
![the sun with a lumpy shaped moon in front of it, from the camera's perspective](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/T3kdHdrkcGbKsx3H7QHYHW-320-80.jpg)
Solar eclipse on Mars! Perseverance rover sees Martian moon Phobos cross the sun in epic video
By Elizabeth Howell published
The NASA Perseverance rover recently turned its gaze to the sky to spot a solar eclipse. The asteroid-sized Phobos passed in front of the sun on Feb. 8, from the perspective of Mars.
![a tiny helicopter drone can be seen far in the distance on a brownish-red hill covered in wind-swept dunes](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Z87PP9qxVG7vFLJa2r9JQP-320-80.jpg)
Mars helicopter Ingenuity's final resting place named after 'Undying Lands' in 'Lord of the Rings'
By Elizabeth Howell published
The final resting place of NASA's Ingenuity helicopter has a new name from the writings of J.R.R. Tolkien, citing a set of islands associated with rest, refuge and eternity.
![an open book showing a diagram of planet orbits on the left and text in latin on the right](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fJSNHcUTNHdCYT7povgikb-320-80.jpg)
Donated Renaissance-era astronomy book surprises university with hidden text
By Elizabeth Howell published
Two astronomy books from the Renaissance have found their way to a new home, where students will try to read a possible hidden text within one of them.
![jeremy hansen smiling in front of an orion spacecraft, far in the background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YCuXJmqtDZ4Sv5x9oSVp4J-320-80.jpg)
'It takes courage to make the right decision:' Artemis 2 astronaut explains why moon mission was delayed to 2025 (exclusive)
By Elizabeth Howell published
Jeremy Hansen has been waiting 15 years for space, and that will continue for a bit longer. The Canadian astronaut shared why he supports the decision to delay NASA's moon mission to 2025.
![a floating peanut butter jar and a floating tortilla with peanut butter, beside each other, in an international space station module](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iczdAL2G2f4VDCj8awou2f-320-80.jpg)
Ax-3 astronauts leave precious parting gift behind for ISS crew: peanut butter
By Elizabeth Howell published
SpaceX astronauts with Axiom Space decided to leave behind a special snack for the International Space Station crew, shortly after National Peanut Butter Day in the United States.
![eileen collins standing in front of a blue sky in an astronaut flight suit, holding a helmet](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4W4awZrUDJzwXmWQYdvN6a-320-80.jpg)
New film 'Spacewoman' to celebrate NASA's Eileen Collins, 1st woman space commander and pilot
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA astronaut Eileen Collins will be featured in "Spacewoman", a documentary coming in 2025 about the first female space commander and pilot.
![the gateway space station modules and the canadarm3 in a simulated environment. in back is a large earth for illustrative purposes only](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/S6DmijMWikYK2PvBaUdgX6-320-80.jpg)
Here's what it's like taking a VR spacewalk with the Canadian Space Agency
By Elizabeth Howell published
Moon robotics will move around astronauts and equipment to get ready for lunar landings. But first, comes the simulation of Canadarm3 to make sure everything will fit.
![three astronauts floating backwards through adoorway of international space station](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MPtztqBfujPPLUGTtku8ak-320-80.gif)
Tuck and roll! Watch ISS astronauts have fun during orbit-raising thruster fire (video)
By Elizabeth Howell published
The International Space Station busted a move above Earth Jan. 27, allowing space station astronauts to use physics for a floating ride in orbit.
![a cone-shaped capsule in a pool with a raft beside it. the raft has 3 astronauts in orange pumpkin suits](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HqSdQeDnCTh7vZd3VEQJEa-320-80.jpg)
Artemis 2 moon astronauts dive into giant NASA pool for splashdown training (photos)
By Elizabeth Howell published
The Artemis 2 moon astronauts recently finished a splashdown exercise in a pool to get ready for more ambitious simulations in the water. They are slated to fly in 2025.
![a man in a black military suit](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/NCEmUF6KXSFKrQ5DFrxz4k-320-80.jpg)
Space Force Guardian to reach orbit for 1st time on SpaceX's Crew-9 astronaut launch
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA astronaut Nick Hague will make his 1st trip to space for Space Force, but he's been there twice before already.
![a person in a bulky spacesuit floats weightless inside the fuselage of an aircraft surrounded by people in blue flight suits and safety goggles](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kj23wQsGS83yf3eG2YRRfL-320-80.jpg)
Watch next-generation lightweight spacesuit tested on Zero-G flight (photos, video)
By Elizabeth Howell published
A new generation of spacesuit is getting ready for ISS missions. Collins Aerospace recently did testing on a spacesuit for spacewalks while flying parabolic.
![A man in khakis crosses his arms as he floats in front of a hexagonal window that looks down at Earth from orbit.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Qjrt3LjfYEasu2YhenNd9H-320-80.jpg)
NASA wants to fly another 1-year astronaut mission. But when will it happen?
By Elizabeth Howell published
Frank Rubio recently became the first American to spend more than a year in space on a single mission. When will the agency send another astronaut up for a full turn around the sun?
![grey rocks on the dusty surface of the moon](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FEeo7xYebiPVqYSXKg5pbP-320-80.png)
Japan's upside-down SLIM moon lander wakes up on lunar surface and snaps new photos
By Elizabeth Howell published
Japan's first moon lander is furiously doing science after staying asleep for more than a week. How long it can keep going remains unclear.
![a four-legged dog-shaped robot with googly eyes and a thick antenna serving as a "head", inside a lab with equipment and computers](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fueiXV8BbCRcdmRkR5oAK-320-80.jpg)
ISS astronaut controls Bert the dog-like robot on Earth during simulated Mars mission
By Elizabeth Howell published
Walking robots might populate Mars one day, but first they need some practice on Earth. Dog-like robot Bert explored an alien-like terrain with an ISS astronaut at the controls.
![The International Space Station.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tZWGuwfJ94SUYEuhwJUf9-320-80.jpg)
'There's nothing magical that happens in 2030': NASA eyes possible ISS extension for astronaut missions
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA says the ISS is healthy enough to keep flying past 2030, as things stand today. But the agency has other factors to consider to keep the venerable complex in space.
![four astronauts with white spacesuits and helmets giving a thumbs up while standing in a row](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rs8vQnuTKCd7zWNddDiZCQ-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX's Crew-8 astronaut launch date in late February hinges on private moon shot
By Elizabeth Howell published
Four astronauts are set to fly aboard SpaceX to the International Space Station no earlier than late February, NASA officials announced. They will be in space for half a year.
![close-up of a rocket engine with steam pouring out the sides and fire at the bottom. surrounding is a large test stand](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JtDdudX6wwaWXbT5u2GbT-320-80.jpg)
NASA fires up powerful Artemis moon rocket engine in key test (video)
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA completed a new Artemis moon program test on Jan. 23, firing one of its Space Launch System RS-25 engines for about eight minutes.
![four astronauts in orange spacesuits waving at the camera in front of a doorway festooned with nasa logos](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Y2pziDdYYCGbr8wnYLSc2a-320-80.jpg)
NASA stresses Artemis 2 moon crew safety as agency remembers fallen astronauts
By Elizabeth Howell published
As NASA leadership paused to remember fallen astronauts, the agency urged its employees to "think smaller" and focus on all the items to keep future crews like Artemis 2 safe.
![two views of a white spacesuit in a lab. the subject in the spacesuit is holding items in his hands during testing](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iX4TDzUDTeJu6vFzsq5XLN-320-80.jpg)
Artemis moon spacesuits prepped for tests ahead of delayed 2026 lunar landing
By Elizabeth Howell published
Axiom Space will provide spacesuits for the first moon landing in half a century, aiming to reach the critical design review stage in June —as the greater Artemis program battles delays.