![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
![The Artemis 2 moon mission's Space Launch System rocket had all four RS-25 engines mounted on its core stage by Sept. 20, 2023. The core stage is shown here at NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TijHKyXaiT6r39pr9evwAh-320-80.jpg)
Welding issues arise during Artemis 3 moon rocket's assembly, but mission still on track: report
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA says the Artemis 2 rocket's engines have been mounted and other work is ongoing.
![a view of the international space station, with earth seen below](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZmAZWvDeUBSRsjxfSymhZE-320-80.jpg)
NASA delays spacewalk a 2nd time due to leak on International Space Station
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA wants to do extra checks after an International Space Station leak on the Russian side, postponing the first of two scheduled spacewalks for a second time as the coolant investigation continues.
![The Hubble Space Telescope in orbit around Earth.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HtnjxxBGPik9c7YqEsSNMa-320-80.jpg)
NASA's Hubble, Chandra space telescopes face possible budget cuts: report
By Elizabeth Howell published
Two of NASA's flagship space telescopes, Hubble and Chandra, may have less money to spend if budget predictions come through. NASA may reallocate funds to newer missions.
![four men in black polos stare off to the right.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tq8ks7iGuR8DjGiRwni2pL-320-80.jpg)
Axiom Space's 3rd private astronaut crew ready for ISS mission in 2024
By Elizabeth Howell published
The Ax-3 mission is on track with its training, and the four commercial astronauts are excited for launch in early 2024, they told reporters during a briefing Oct. 16.
![a man in a spacesuit is smiling](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fPS5LqPa8QjLsxcV7UX8xY-320-80.jpg)
NASA astronaut Frank Rubio considers himself 'incredibly lucky' after accidental 1-year ISS stay
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA astronaut Frank Rubio is safely back on Earth after an eventful year in space. He talked about the spacecraft leak that kept him stuck there and what he learned from his stay.
![one astronaut in a spacesuit and another unsuited beside her, both smiling, in a selfie picture](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/W35wcEGNizxsvpJHEsSQ5f-320-80.jpg)
Rare all-woman spacewalk this month won't be the last, NASA says
By Elizabeth Howell published
Two NASA astronauts will conduct an all-woman spacewalk on Oct. 30. While only one other crew has done so before, more such spacewalks will come, NASA says.
![The moon obscures the sun during an annular eclipse](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qeiWdVHc9akN5tXtXzom2j-320-80.png)
Why 'ring of fire' solar eclipse on Oct. 14 has scientists excited (video)
By Elizabeth Howell published
A 'ring of fire' or annular solar eclipse will sweep across the United States on Oct. 14, bringing incredible views and a lot of science at the same time.
![view of a spacecraft docked above earth, through a window](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MSGLQi2vuwfCMJmUaWLXj4-320-80.jpg)
Boeing's 1st Starliner flight with astronauts delayed to April 2024
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA announced that Boeing's commercial crew vehicle, Starliner, will not carry astronauts in a test flight until at least April 2024. Its first operational flight is also delayed into 2025.
![andreas mogensen visible in a spacesuit from the shoulders up, inside a large facility](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ouFrjFznhNtTeFQUDx2Qcd-320-80.jpg)
A leak on the ISS canceled his spacewalk. But an astronaut says that was the right call
By Elizabeth Howell published
European Space Agency astronaut Andreas Mogensen was supposed to step into space Oct. 12. Now facing a delayed spacewalk, he said that was the right call.
![A line of light stretches across a star-studded sky next to a little white lighthouse perched on the rocks.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zXiAJYHW5ZkLrpo79hnE5d-320-80.jpg)
Orionid meteor shower 2024: When, where & how to see it
By Daisy Dobrijevic last updated
Reference The Orionid meteor shower peaks between Oct. 20 and Oct. 21 and is visible until early November. We explore the annual shower in more detail here.
![an overhead view of mars canyons](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/n6Tv8yRrjeM7VAvzgFUtSB-320-80.jpg)
Explore a mysterious, crinkly Mars valley in this flyover video
By Elizabeth Howell published
New spacecraft footage from Mars Express shows off a rugged valley on the Red Planet, shaped by volcanic activity from the famous Tharsis region.
![astronaut in a spacesuit backdropped by earth. pieces and solar panels of the space station are visible around him](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bNb97hEgH9TJXTrpSx54u6-320-80.jpg)
NASA calls off spacewalk due to leak on International Space Station
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA has delayed a planned Oct. 12 spacewalk due to a leak of coolant from a Russian module discovered earlier this week. The cause of the leak remains under investigation.
![astronaut with three boxes floating on the international space station](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/h6cz4utX53sptFeUyuT8Kd-320-80.jpg)
NASA's Astrobee robot 'Honey' flies home to its International Space Station hive
By Elizabeth Howell published
A robotic free-flying robot from NASA is back in space after a year-long pit stop for repairs and maintenance. The Astrobee trio tests science and self-servicing by robots in space.
![a space station floats above earth, over an ocean or sea](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FDEKoy6XGkyo4KbCkfr68k-320-80.jpg)
International Space Station leaks coolant into space, but astronauts are not in danger
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA and Russian officials are investigating a new leak aboard the International Space Station. The Russian Nauka science module sprung a leak in a 13-year-old backup radiator.
![two people stand on a gravel landscape wearing spacesuits.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pVRpUZ4efokNHYh3VrzwnK-320-80.jpg)
NASA astronaut walks on the 'moon' to get ready for Artemis landings (photos)
By Elizabeth Howell published
A NASA astronaut in a mockup spacesuit explored a moon-like landscape during a training exercise recently. She's getting ready for the agency's first lunar landing in 50 years.
![Train cars carry white cylinders on tracks](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QNc6sQ2oYr4zUHbwcNc2vi-320-80.jpg)
All aboard! Train tugs Artemis 2 moon rocket parts to the NASA launch center (photos, video)
By Elizabeth Howell published
'Right on track,' NASA said after the rocket booster segments arrived.
![four people in white cleansuits and hair nets smile in front of a cone-shaped spacecraft in a laboratory](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iDrryuqpsBU6SkjWBMFt4n-320-80.jpg)
Here's how Artemis 2 astronauts will exercise, sleep and use the toilet on their moon mission (photos)
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA is getting the Artemis 2 Orion spacecraft built while testing key activities that astronauts will perform on their way to the moon and back.
![SpaceX founder Elon Musk.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BypSPofHMYmp4a5zJdR7ZQ-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX's Starship has 'decent chance' of success on upcoming flight, Elon Musk says
By Elizabeth Howell published
'If the engines light and the ship doesn't blow itself up … I think we've got a decent chance of reaching orbit.'
![golden orange ring of fire during an annular solar eclipse, with a partly cloudy sky behind.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rx27vLHx7eXVyKQRSpjhai-320-80.jpg)
'Ring of fire' eclipse Oct. 14 will be practice run for total solar eclipse next year
By Elizabeth Howell published
The world's biggest solar telescope will join the observing party.
![An illustration of Mars as it will appear in the April 2023 night sky.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/oyAdYKgN6ifUSspxppB76U-320-80.jpg)
Mars Society conference happening online Oct. 5 through Oct. 8
By Elizabeth Howell published
The 26th Annual International Mars Society Convention will start Oct. 5. Here's how you can watch online.
![A cropped section of the cover of a book titled "Air Born"](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/75vqrTASknQvUyVhnbSTG8-320-80.jpg)
NASA astronaut Jan Davis recounts career, father's POW experience in new book
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA space shuttle astronaut Jan Davis first read her father's letters about being a WWII prisoner of war in 2020. The collection inspired her to write a new memoir, called "Air Born."
![a golden rocket stage and its four black engines are seen in a horizontal position inside a large warehouse-like facility.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TijHKyXaiT6r39pr9evwAh-320-80.jpg)
Artemis 2 moon rocket now has all 4 powerful engines on board (photo)
By Elizabeth Howell published
The Artemis 2 moon rocket's core stage now has all four of its RS-25 engines mounted in place. It's a big milestone for the mission as it sails toward a launch in late 2024.
![three men in white space suits sit by yellow railings](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KtSWaxkmwyNH7jfutb2j5B-320-80.jpg)
Accidental 1-year astronaut crew hands over command of ISS ahead of Sept. 27 landing
By Elizabeth Howell published
NASA's Frank Rubio and his one-year crew are ready to come home at last, after their return was delayed by six months. The Soyuz astronauts handed over their work on the ISS on Sept. 26.