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.