![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
![Artist's impression of the Arianespace 6 rocket in space.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/omuLtwu6he7TdLrvi7iVXC-320-80.jpg)
1st launch of Europe's Ariane 6 rocket finally has June 2024 launch target
By Elizabeth Howell published
After a 4-year delay, the new heavy-lift rocket for Europe is almost ready for space. Ariane 6 should launch for the European Space Agency no earlier than June 15.
![a white rocket blasts off above a plume of fire. the ocean can be seen just behind the rocket](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UdrvNpdmUzz8gFdo2tARUD-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX launches Irish, South Korean satellites and lands its 250th rocket (video)
By Elizabeth Howell last updated
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the first of five South Korean spy satellites on Dec. 1 before coming down for the company's 250th successful booster recovery.
![A rocket launching into a blue sky.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ecBMY5n3MB4VBJP5JFEAR-320-80.jpg)
Russian Progress cargo spacecraft launched to the ISS on Dec. 1 (video)
By Elizabeth Howell last updated
A Russian cargo spacecraft blasted off from Kazakhstan on Dec. 1 for a flight to the International Space Station.
![An artist's depiction of a hot Jupiter planet orbiting its star.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RoLsndYnn4tFAFgMk4NW3n-320-80.jpg)
Our solar system's planets aren't weird after all. Exoplanets have tilted orbits, too
By Elizabeth Howell published
All solar system planets circle our sun with slightly tilted orbits — and a new study shows even distant planetary systems in quiet neighborhoods have orbital tilts, too.
![NASA astronaut Christina Koch, a mission specialist for the Artemis 2 moon mission, signs her name to the Orion spacecraft stage adapter for NASA's Space Launch System rocket on Nov. 27, 2023.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YqcMpBWiUuPQNAZX6wL7X-320-80.jpg)
Artemis 2 moon astronauts autograph their own rocket 1 year before launch
By Elizabeth Howell published
Just one year before flying around the moon, the Artemis 2 astronauts autographed a part of the massive lunar rocket that will send them aloft in late 2024.
![a man and a woman smile. her arm is raised in the air.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/j7jfWJXQn2JTn6ysVxJ4hL-320-80.jpg)
Canada soars into space with new moon and ISS astronaut missions
By Elizabeth Howell published
'My mind just might explode.'
![a stylized graphic of an astronaut floating in front of a purple background with stars. two logos are represented on the side. on the left is the canadian space agency logo. on the right is an astronaut with a plus sign and a saturn picture](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/obFvyhdrHDirafYNFq3ckJ-320-80.jpg)
Medical emergencies will happen in deep space. Here's how Canada is getting ready
By Elizabeth Howell published
As the Canadian government readies for liftoff of human moon missions, it asked five teams Tuesday (Nov. 21) to show off their tech ideas for deep-space medicine.
![a window view of earth. at right is a soyuz spacecraft. in the center are black socks near the window, with turkey feet on them](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LWngRJnL4XsKY9obfdpMbL-320-80.jpg)
NASA astronaut celebrates Thanksgiving on ISS with turkey socks, Earth views
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA astronaut Loral O'Hara received new turkey socks for U.S. Thanksgiving on the International Space Station. Amid eating good food in orbit, she shared space views of her new duds.
![a rocket lifting off amid towers with darkness in the background. it's a tv view of the launch with Korean Hangul characters describing the scene in front](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5Fn59Yj9xZSNCbWdBbsyMB-320-80.jpg)
North Korea rocket explodes during spy satellite launch, and meteor hunters caught it on camera: report
By Elizabeth Howell published
North Korea may have deliberately detonated the first stage of its rocket during a launch Tuesday (Nov. 21) that aimed to put a spy satellite in orbit.
![Lego Star Wars Luke Skywalker's X-Wing Fighter 474 pieces and Minifigures](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/geRDFc5TsU9PCb95VCS3jM-320-80.jpg)
Save 35% on Lego Star Wars Luke Skywalker's X-Wing Fighter this Black Friday
By Elizabeth Howell published
Deals Fly your Star Wars flag in style this Black Friday with a 35% off deal on the Lego Star Wars Luke Skywalker's X-Wing Fighter.
![binoculars on a white background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VUoX2azjAE8quMsBxzUoa4-320-80.jpg)
Black Friday: Save 30% on the Celestron SkyMaster 15x70 Binocular
By Elizabeth Howell published
Deals With the Celestron SkyMaster 15x70 Binocular on a deep discount this Black Friday, you can peer at deep-sky objects without breaking the bank.
![two astronauts in blue flight suits pose in front of the Canadian flag](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZQmxG4FhpM4GZpkyCgJFXf-320-80.jpg)
Canada assigns astronauts to launch on Boeing's Starliner, back up Artemis 2 moon mission
By Elizabeth Howell published
The Canadian Space Agency announced 2 new spaceflights for its astronauts on Wednesday (Nov. 22), following a historic moon assignment earlier this year.
![an astronaut in a spacesuit. you can see his gloved hands taking a picture in the reflection from his helmet. also in the reflection is earth and a strut of the international space station](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WSZTnhmuokpvsa5uSE7YbJ-320-80.jpg)
Canadian Space Agency will announce new astronaut assignments today (Nov. 22). Here's how to watch it live.
By Elizabeth Howell published
The Canadian Space Agency will announce new astronaut assignments on Nov. 22, just 6 months after astronaut Jeremy Hansen received a moon mission for Artemis 2.
![Blue Origin’s New Shepard flies toward space carrying Good Morning America co-anchor Michael Strahan, Laura Shepard Churchley, daughter of astronaut Alan Shepard, and four other civilians on December 11, 2021 near Van Horn, Texas. The six are riding aboard mission NS-19, the third human spaceflight for the company which is owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7B6DaSgzQGUCJZkRWmqNfh-320-80.jpg)
Blue Origin: Everything you need to know about the private spaceflight company
By Elizabeth Howell last updated
Reference Blue Origin flies space tourists to the final frontier.
![tom hanks with four astronauts, two on either side. all are standing and smiling. the astronauts wear blue flight suits. tom hanks is in black. behind is a cone-shaped spacecraft simulator with oval windows](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wWRjBKNKsN3CjBR2wqyxGA-320-80.jpg)
Tom Hanks visits Artemis 2 moon astronauts and NASA Mission Control
By Elizabeth Howell published
'Apollo 13' actor Tom Hanks, who flew to the moon on film in 1995, just went to NASA in Houston. There, he visited the four Artemis 2 astronauts who will make the journey for real.
![an astronaut in a flight suit full of badges and stripes](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/EQBgEmDeMHFKKAbsLSMhSK-320-80.jpg)
Axiom Space astronaut Marcus Wandt says space is 'more real' thanks to private flights
By Elizabeth Howell published
Marcus Wandt was selected as a standby project astronaut in 2022. The European Space Agency now has a spot for him in space: the Axiom Space Ax-3 mission expected to fly in January 2024.
![a sandy and far overhead view of land with water on the left](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WkqfW5jSEUuyspzatvAVLd-320-80.jpg)
NASA astronaut sees her parents' birth country from space. 'This may be the closest I will ever get'
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA's Jasmin Moghbeli recently saw Iran from the International Space Station. Her parents fled the country in 1979 and she has been unable to visit it during her lifetime.
![a spacex starship at sunrise](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/v6xk3aSzdzJgT38e3wdg7V-320-80.jpg)
How to watch SpaceX launch its 2nd Starship test flight live online on Nov 18
By Elizabeth Howell last updated
SpaceX's Starship will make its second attempt to reach space on Nov. 18, and you can watch the launch live here.
![an image with a bright glow in the middle and star streaks](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pGDni9QaXiLRTic39JwYMd-320-80.jpg)
Lost astronaut tool bag from ISS shines in new telescope image (photo)
By Elizabeth Howell published
Astronauts on the International Space Station harmlessly lost a tool bag during a spacewalk on Nov. 1. A new telescope image from Rome shows the stray bag shining among the stars.
![a rocket with four engines on top of a large construction structure. the logo for artemis is on the left (on a wall) and the meatball logo of nasa is on the right (on a curtain to the side of the rocket)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4FS9oVqaMB8wBkDRJBKzPG-320-80.jpg)
1 year after Artemis 1 launch, NASA readies Artemis 2 to shoot for the moon again (video)
By Elizabeth Howell published
Artemis 1 launched on Nov. 16, 2022. One year later, NASA is readying the follow-up Artemis 2 mission to send four astronauts around the moon.
![a T-shaped space station floats above Earth](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8URvuKiadvT5rH5pM3Zgm7-320-80.jpg)
International Space Station dodges orbital debris hours before SpaceX cargo ship's arrival: report
By Elizabeth Howell published
The International Space Station moved away from space debris on Friday (Nov. 10), Russian space officials said, hours before a SpaceX cargo ship aims to arrive.
![SpaceX's latest Starship prototype is rimmed with frost during a fueling test on Oct. 24, 2023.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RahKWLxozoMaHBmR5qUhEA-320-80.jpg)
Safety, not speed, should be the priority in launch mishap probes, FAA advisory group says
By Elizabeth Howell published
With more space launches than ever, industry wants a way to speed up licensing after mishaps. But safety must come first, say members of a Federal Aviation Administration advisory committee say.
![NASA astronaut Christina Koch, an Artemis 2 mission specialist for the moon mission, tests the side hatch of an Orion spacecraft at Lockheed Martin Space in Denver. The Orion spacecraft set to carry Koch and three others around the moon finished a power-on test at NASA's Kennedy Space Center on Nov. 6, 2023.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hk5qz8BBUYvsFLPWvL4Yqh-320-80.jpg)
NASA powers up Artemis 2 Orion spacecraft ahead of 2024 moon mission
By Elizabeth Howell published
The Orion for Artemis 2, humanity's first lunar mission in 50 years, powered on successfully on Nov. 6. It will carry four astronauts around the moon no earlier than 2024.