Articles by Robert Z. Pearlman, collectSPACE.com Editor

Now up for bid: Cockroach carcasses and the Apollo 11 moon dust extracted from their stomachs, the result of a 1969 NASA biological test in search of dangerous "moon bugs."

Cockroach-eaten Apollo 11 moon dust goes up for auction

By Robert Z. Pearlman published 26 May 22

For sale: One small sample of the moon brought back to Earth in 1969 by the Apollo 11 astronauts. Condition: Well-traveled and once digested.

A sequined sea turtle floats above Crew-3 astronaut Kayla Barron's head aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft "Endurance." The doll served as the mission's "zero-g indicator" and signaled the flight of the first members of "The Turtles" in space.

Outside of Earth's 'shell,' SpaceX's Crew-3 reveal turtle as zero-g indicator

By Robert Z. Pearlman published 12 November 21

Just moments after entering Earth orbit, SpaceX Crew-3 astronaut Kayla Barron released a sparkling sea turtle to float above her head. The "zero-g indicator" showed she and her crew were weightless.

Russia's Soyuz MS-19 spacecraft, specially decorated to be filmed for a movie, launches for the International Space Station from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, on Oct. 5, 2021.

Russia launches film crew to shoot movie on space station

By Robert Z. Pearlman published 5 October 21

Russian actress Yulia Peresild, producer Klim Shipenko and cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov have launched on a 12-day mission to the International Space Station to film a feature-length movie in space.

Louisiana's Apollo 17 goodwill moon rock display was returned to the state after being purchased by a gun collector at a Florida garage sale for its wooden plaque.

Louisiana's missing moon rock found in Florida thanks to broken gun

By Robert Z. Pearlman published 30 September 21

A lost piece of the moon belonging to Louisiana may have remained missing, if not been discarded or destroyed, had the plaque on which it was mounted not attracted the eye of a Florida gun collector.

Heritage Auctions' "Images of Apollo: The J.L. Pickering Collection" signature auction runs through Sept. 24, 2021.

Archivist's vintage 'Images of Apollo' photo prints land on auction

By Robert Z. Pearlman published 12 September 21

A private archivist known for unearthing rare images from the early years of spaceflight is now selling a treasure trove of NASA prints representing some of the most iconic photos taken.

A conservator uses a vacuum to clean inside Freedom 7, the first Mercury capsule to carry a U.S. astronaut into space 60 years ago, in the Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar at the National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.

Smithsonian inspects first US astronaut's space capsule, suit 60 years on

By Robert Z. Pearlman published 7 May 21

Conservators have spruced up Alan Shepard's spacesuit and Mercury capsule.

Astronaut-explorer Richard Garriott makes record-breaking dive to deepest point on Earth

By Robert Z. Pearlman published 7 March 21

Richard Garriott just completed a dive to Challenger Deep, the deepest point on Earth.

A small plush toy of "The Child" or "Baby Yoda" from the Disney Plus Star Wars series "The Mandalorian" is seen floating on board the SpaceX Crew Dragon "Resilience" as the zero-g indicator for the four Crew-1 astronauts on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020.

'Baby Yoda' revealed as astronauts' zero-g indicator on SpaceX Crew-1 mission

By Robert Z. Pearlman published 18 November 20

A few hours after launching to the International Space Station, the Crew-1 astronauts showed off their fifth crew member — a small plush doll of "The Child" or "Baby Yoda."

Former NASA astronaut Mark Kelly, seen addressing supporters on Tuesday night (Nov. 3) in Tucson, has been elected by the state of Arizona to the U.S. Senate. Kelly is the fourth astronaut to secure a seat in Congress.

Mark Kelly becomes 4th astronaut elected to Congress

By Robert Z. Pearlman published 4 November 20

Mark Kelly has won a seat in the U.S. Senate, making him only the fourth NASA astronaut to be elected to Congress.

Mary W. Jackson overcame the barriers of segregation and gender bias to become the first African American female engineer to work at NASA. She later led the efforts to ensure equal opportunities for future generations. The Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building in Washington, D.C. has been named in her honor.

NASA names headquarters building for 'hidden figure' Mary Jackson

By Robert Z. Pearlman published 25 June 20

NASA is recognizing one of its "hidden figures" by naming its headquarters in Washington, D.C. after Mary Jackson, the first African American female engineer to work at the space agency.

A blue and pink sequined dinosaur floats for the first time on board SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule after entering Earth orbit. The doll, chosen by the crew's sons, served as the zero-g indicator.

SpaceX 'stowaway' revealed by crew as sons' dinosaur toy 'Tremor'

By Robert Z. Pearlman published 1 June 20

A stowaway aboard SpaceX's first mission to launch astronauts to the International Space Station may have set a new record — the most sequins to enter Earth orbit.

Towers Toppled at Historic Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 17

By Robert Z. Pearlman published 14 July 18

The last two launch towers to stand at Cape Canaveral since the dawn of the Space Age are no more.

John Young, seen here training for NASA’s Apollo 16 moon landing mission in December 1971, died on Friday, Jan. 5, 2018 at the age of 87.

Astronaut John Young, Who Walked on the Moon and Led 1st Shuttle Mission, Dies at 87

By Robert Z. Pearlman published 8 January 18

John Young, NASA's longest-serving astronaut, who walked on the moon and flew on the first Gemini and space shuttle missions, has died. He was 87.

Flashback: John Glenn's Poignant Congressional Gold Medal Honor Speech | Video

John Glenn, First American to Orbit the Earth, Dies at 95

By Robert Z. Pearlman published 8 December 16

John Glenn, one of NASA's first seven astronauts and the first American to orbit the Earth, has died. He was 95.

Starliner Simulators: Astronauts 'Fly' Boeing Spacecraft Trainers

By Robert Z. Pearlman published 28 April 16

NASA astronauts Scott Kelly (left) and Kjell Lindgren (center) with Kimiya Yui of JAXA snack on freshly harvested space-grown red romaine lettuce as part of the Veggie experiment.

Astronauts Snack on Space-Grown Lettuce for First Time

By Robert Z. Pearlman published 11 August 15

Found only after this death in 2012, Neil Armstrong had hidden in his closet the Apollo 11 "McDivitt purse" (at left) and its contents of flown-to-the-moon lunar module parts.

Neil Armstrong's Purse: 1st Moonwalker Had Hidden Apollo 11 Artifacts

By Robert Z. Pearlman published 9 February 15

The Earth as seen from orbit, filmed in space by an IMAX camera aboard a NASA space shuttle mission in December 1988.

Earth From Space to Star in 3D Film by Disney, IMAX

By Robert Z. Pearlman published 2 April 13

Amazing views of Earth from space will launch into IMAX theaters in 2015.

Apollo 11 F1 Engine Thrust Chamber Seabed

Apollo Moon Rocket Engines Raised from Seafloor by Amazon CEO

By Robert Z. Pearlman published 21 March 13

Jeff Bezos' yearlong quest has been a success.

Shuttle Enterprise touches down in New York.

Space Shuttle Enterprise Lands in NYC for Museum Display

By Robert Z. Pearlman published 27 April 12

The prototype shuttle will go on display at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum.

NASA Prepares Next Mars Rover for November Launch

By Robert Z. Pearlman published 15 August 11

The car-size Curiosity rover is being prepped to fly to the Red Planet.

NASA Gives Space Shuttles to Smithsonian and Museums in Calif., Florida and NYC

By Robert Z. Pearlman published 12 April 11

'Columbus' Compass,' Crew Mementos Ride Aboard Shuttle Atlantis

By Robert Z. Pearlman published 11 February 08

50 Years Later: First U.S. Satellite's Souvenirs Still Circle the Earth

By Robert Z. Pearlman published 31 January 08

Astronauts Mark 100th Station Spacewalk

By Robert Z. Pearlman published 18 December 07