Andrea Leinfelder
@andrealeinfelder.bsky.social
Space and science reporter @HoustonChronicle.com. Foodie, adventure seeker, mom of two kids and one dog. Send tips and favorite sci-fi references to Andrea.leinfelder@houstonchronicle.com.
Next year at NASA could bring two flagship missions (Artemis II and the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope), more clarity on the fate of space shuttle Discovery and new guidance from recently confirmed NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman.
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A moon mission, a new boss and a potential museum fight: NASA’s year ahead
Jared Isaacman will lead NASA as it sends astronauts around the moon and hopes to launch a space telescope to study dark matter and dark energy.
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December 24, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Next year at NASA could bring two flagship missions (Artemis II and the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope), more clarity on the fate of space shuttle Discovery and new guidance from recently confirmed NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman.
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Last year, SpaceX backed out of a land swap deal with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Today, the New York Times reported that SpaceX is considering a new land swap -- this time with the federal government.
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Today, the New York Times reported that SpaceX is considering a new land swap -- this time with the federal government.
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
SpaceX considers new land swap deal in South Texas, report says
Space X is considering a land swap with the Trump administration that would see Elon Musk’s company receiving nearly 800 acres of wildlife refuge near Starbase.
www.houstonchronicle.com
December 23, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Last year, SpaceX backed out of a land swap deal with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Today, the New York Times reported that SpaceX is considering a new land swap -- this time with the federal government.
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Today, the New York Times reported that SpaceX is considering a new land swap -- this time with the federal government.
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
The residents of Timber Cove lined their streets with luminarias on Christmas Eve of 1968. One of their neighbors, NASA astronaut Jim Lovell, was circling the moon on Apollo 8, and they wanted to light his way home.
They've lit luminarias on ever since.
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They've lit luminarias on ever since.
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How Apollo 8 inspired luminarias tradition in communities near NASA
Communities near NASA lit luminarias so the Apollo 8 astronauts could find their way home. The tradition has continued ever since.
www.houstonchronicle.com
December 23, 2025 at 2:44 PM
The residents of Timber Cove lined their streets with luminarias on Christmas Eve of 1968. One of their neighbors, NASA astronaut Jim Lovell, was circling the moon on Apollo 8, and they wanted to light his way home.
They've lit luminarias on ever since.
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
They've lit luminarias on ever since.
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Michaela “Michi” Benthaus made history from West Texas on Saturday when she became the first person who uses a wheelchair to go to space.
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Blue Origin flight makes space more accessible for people with disabilities
Michaela “Michi” Benthaus, who is paralyzed from the waist down, flew to space on Blue Origin’s suborbital New Shepard rocket. She launched from West Texas.
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December 20, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Michaela “Michi” Benthaus made history from West Texas on Saturday when she became the first person who uses a wheelchair to go to space.
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www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Michaela “Michi” Benthaus is about to become the first wheelchair user to fly to space.
The launch window for her Blue Origin flight opens at 10 a.m.
More on Michi and how this flight could make space more accessible for people with disabilities:
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
The launch window for her Blue Origin flight opens at 10 a.m.
More on Michi and how this flight could make space more accessible for people with disabilities:
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Blue Origin to launch historic spaceflight with first wheelchair user
Blue Origin hopes launching Michaela Benthaus, a German space engineer who uses a wheelchair, will help make space more accessible.
www.houstonchronicle.com
December 18, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Michaela “Michi” Benthaus is about to become the first wheelchair user to fly to space.
The launch window for her Blue Origin flight opens at 10 a.m.
More on Michi and how this flight could make space more accessible for people with disabilities:
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
The launch window for her Blue Origin flight opens at 10 a.m.
More on Michi and how this flight could make space more accessible for people with disabilities:
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Jared Isaacman will be the next NASA administrator.
The U.S. Senate voted Wednesday to approve his nomination, ending a yearlong saga.
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The U.S. Senate voted Wednesday to approve his nomination, ending a yearlong saga.
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
US Senate approves two-time private astronaut to lead NASA
The U.S. Senate voted Wednesday to confirm billionaire Jared Isaacman, an entrepreneur and two-time private astronaut, as the next NASA administrator.
www.houstonchronicle.com
December 17, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Jared Isaacman will be the next NASA administrator.
The U.S. Senate voted Wednesday to approve his nomination, ending a yearlong saga.
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
The U.S. Senate voted Wednesday to approve his nomination, ending a yearlong saga.
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Michaela “Michi” Benthaus thought spaceflight was unattainable – even before a mountain biking accident left her paralyzed from the waist down.
But on Thursday, Benthaus will become the first person who uses a wheelchair to go to space. More on her flight:
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
But on Thursday, Benthaus will become the first person who uses a wheelchair to go to space. More on her flight:
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Blue Origin to launch historic spaceflight with first wheelchair user
Blue Origin hopes launching Michaela Benthaus, a German space engineer who uses a wheelchair, will help make space more accessible.
www.houstonchronicle.com
December 15, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Michaela “Michi” Benthaus thought spaceflight was unattainable – even before a mountain biking accident left her paralyzed from the waist down.
But on Thursday, Benthaus will become the first person who uses a wheelchair to go to space. More on her flight:
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
But on Thursday, Benthaus will become the first person who uses a wheelchair to go to space. More on her flight:
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Houston-based Starlab Space recently completed its three-story, white cylindrical space station mockup at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Take a look inside:
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Exclusive: See the Starlab space station mockup being tested at NASA
Houston-based Starlab Space recently completed a space station mockup at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Astronauts will test its design and use it for training.
www.houstonchronicle.com
December 10, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Houston-based Starlab Space recently completed its three-story, white cylindrical space station mockup at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Take a look inside:
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Jared Isaacman, Trump’s nominee to lead NASA, promises ‘urgency and extreme focus’ during second confirmation hearing
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www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Trump’s NASA nominee promises ‘urgency and extreme focus’
Jared Isaacman, Donald Trump's NASA nominee, vowed to beat China to the moon, back lunar lander competition and boost nuclear propulsion at a Senate hearing.
www.houstonchronicle.com
December 3, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Jared Isaacman, Trump’s nominee to lead NASA, promises ‘urgency and extreme focus’ during second confirmation hearing
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www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Nasal congestion is one of the most common complaints from space -- and it's more than a minor inconvenience.
“Can you imagine having nasal congestion up there and nothing that you do cures it? It can be somewhat of a claustrophobic-type feeling.”
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“Can you imagine having nasal congestion up there and nothing that you do cures it? It can be somewhat of a claustrophobic-type feeling.”
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Congestion affects 75% of astronauts. It’s more than a minor inconvenience.
A recent study led by Houston Methodist found that congestion is one of the most common complaints from space. It can affect sleep, performance and overall mood.
www.houstonchronicle.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Nasal congestion is one of the most common complaints from space -- and it's more than a minor inconvenience.
“Can you imagine having nasal congestion up there and nothing that you do cures it? It can be somewhat of a claustrophobic-type feeling.”
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
“Can you imagine having nasal congestion up there and nothing that you do cures it? It can be somewhat of a claustrophobic-type feeling.”
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which stranded two NASA astronauts on the International Space Station, will take its next flight without crew.
NASA announced Monday that the Starliner-1 mission could launch in April.
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NASA announced Monday that the Starliner-1 mission could launch in April.
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The spacecraft that stranded two NASA astronauts will fly without crew
NASA said Boeing’s Starliner-1 mission could launch uncrewed in April to validate spacecraft upgrades and deliver cargo to the International Space Station.
www.houstonchronicle.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which stranded two NASA astronauts on the International Space Station, will take its next flight without crew.
NASA announced Monday that the Starliner-1 mission could launch in April.
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NASA announced Monday that the Starliner-1 mission could launch in April.
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Sen. John Cornyn is part of a bipartisan effort to continue space research beyond ISS. He co-authored a bill that would create the National Institute for Space Research. This institute will coordinate research on commercial space stations and provide grants.
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Cornyn co-authors bill backing space research after ISS retires
Sen. John Cornyn, a Texas Republican, was among a bipartisan group of legislators who introduced the Space Research And Continuing Exploration (RACE) Act.
www.houstonchronicle.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Sen. John Cornyn is part of a bipartisan effort to continue space research beyond ISS. He co-authored a bill that would create the National Institute for Space Research. This institute will coordinate research on commercial space stations and provide grants.
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Update: Another coronal mass ejection has reached Earth, causing a geomagnetic storm. But so far, this storm is less intense than last night and likely won’t create northern lights that could be seen from Texas. But that could change. www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Texans saw the northern lights on Tuesday. Could they be visible again tonight?
The northern lights were spotted in Texas on Tuesday night as an especially strong geomagnetic storm hit the Earth.
www.houstonchronicle.com
November 12, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Update: Another coronal mass ejection has reached Earth, causing a geomagnetic storm. But so far, this storm is less intense than last night and likely won’t create northern lights that could be seen from Texas. But that could change. www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
The northern lights danced deep in the heart of Texas as a geomagnetic storm swept the globe Tuesday night. Another storm was expected to hit on Wednesday, though its strength and timing might not create such spectacular views.
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Texans saw the northern lights on Tuesday. Could they be visible again tonight?
The northern lights were spotted in Texas on Tuesday night as an especially strong geomagnetic storm hit the Earth.
www.houstonchronicle.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:07 PM
The northern lights danced deep in the heart of Texas as a geomagnetic storm swept the globe Tuesday night. Another storm was expected to hit on Wednesday, though its strength and timing might not create such spectacular views.
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Did you see the Northern Lights last night in Texas? Please send me your pictures (and your name/where the photo was taken) for an article in the Houston Chronicle!
November 12, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Did you see the Northern Lights last night in Texas? Please send me your pictures (and your name/where the photo was taken) for an article in the Houston Chronicle!
Intuitive Machines has announced two acquisitions within the past three months as the company pushes beyond moon landers to become a one-stop shop for building, delivering and operating spacecraft.
More on the company's vision:
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More on the company's vision:
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How Houston’s moon lander company is hoping to become a ‘new space prime’
Houston’s Intuitive Machines will buy Lanteris Space Systems for $800 million and recently acquired KinetX to accelerate its growth.
www.houstonchronicle.com
November 10, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Intuitive Machines has announced two acquisitions within the past three months as the company pushes beyond moon landers to become a one-stop shop for building, delivering and operating spacecraft.
More on the company's vision:
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
More on the company's vision:
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
A food bank visited NASA’s Gilruth Center on Wednesday.
NASA’s federal employees have been without pay for more than a month, causing a ripple through the Clear Lake community as businesses report slowdowns and seek to support the workers.
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NASA’s federal employees have been without pay for more than a month, causing a ripple through the Clear Lake community as businesses report slowdowns and seek to support the workers.
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NASA employees get assistance from Galveston County Food Bank
NASA employees received milk and fresh produce from the Galveston County Food Bank as the government shutdown became the longest in U.S. history.
www.houstonchronicle.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:18 PM
A food bank visited NASA’s Gilruth Center on Wednesday.
NASA’s federal employees have been without pay for more than a month, causing a ripple through the Clear Lake community as businesses report slowdowns and seek to support the workers.
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
NASA’s federal employees have been without pay for more than a month, causing a ripple through the Clear Lake community as businesses report slowdowns and seek to support the workers.
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Civil engineers could monitor aging bridges — and make timely repairs — by using satellites that can detect cracks as thin as a credit card.
A UH scientist helped analyze how the Sentinel and NISAR satellites could observe long-span bridges.
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A UH scientist helped analyze how the Sentinel and NISAR satellites could observe long-span bridges.
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How satellites could make the world’s bridges safer
A University of Houston scientist was part of an international research team that found satellite monitoring can help make the world’s bridges safer.
www.houstonchronicle.com
October 29, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Civil engineers could monitor aging bridges — and make timely repairs — by using satellites that can detect cracks as thin as a credit card.
A UH scientist helped analyze how the Sentinel and NISAR satellites could observe long-span bridges.
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
A UH scientist helped analyze how the Sentinel and NISAR satellites could observe long-span bridges.
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn is asking the Department of Justice to investigate the Smithsonian Institution for “potential violations of the Anti-Lobbying Act,” escalating prior claims as he works to move space shuttle Discovery to Houston.
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www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Cornyn escalates space shuttle saga by requesting a DOJ investigation
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn is asking the Department of Justice to investigate the Smithsonian Institution for potential lobbying violations in the battle for space shuttle Discovery.
www.houstonchronicle.com
October 22, 2025 at 8:37 PM
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn is asking the Department of Justice to investigate the Smithsonian Institution for “potential violations of the Anti-Lobbying Act,” escalating prior claims as he works to move space shuttle Discovery to Houston.
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www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Texas needs ‘space cowboys’ and statewide talent pipeline to become a hub for space companies
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Not a rocket scientist? Texas is looking for ‘space cowboys’
Texas ranks second among states with the most open commercial space jobs, according to a new report from the Space Workforce Incubator for Texas.
www.houstonchronicle.com
October 22, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Texas needs ‘space cowboys’ and statewide talent pipeline to become a hub for space companies
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www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
UH scientists find NASA clean room bacterium ‘plays dead.’ Could other dormant germs be in hospitals?
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www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
This bacterium 'plays dead' to survive — even inside a NASA clean room
Microbiologists at the University of Houston confirmed that a bacterium found in NASA spacecraft assembly rooms, called Tersicoccus phoenicis, will go dormant when it runs out of food.
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October 21, 2025 at 6:25 PM
UH scientists find NASA clean room bacterium ‘plays dead.’ Could other dormant germs be in hospitals?
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www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Updated:
SpaceX and Blue Origin will have "the opportunity to present acceleration approaches by Oct. 29." The agency is also requesting plans from the commercial space industry more broadly for how NASA can "increase the cadence of our mission."
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SpaceX and Blue Origin will have "the opportunity to present acceleration approaches by Oct. 29." The agency is also requesting plans from the commercial space industry more broadly for how NASA can "increase the cadence of our mission."
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Could Blue Origin develop Artemis III moon lander? NASA reopens bidding.
Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy announced Monday that he would allow other companies to compete for the Artemis III landing contract that was awarded to the SpaceX Starship spacecraft.
www.houstonchronicle.com
October 21, 2025 at 12:52 AM
Updated:
SpaceX and Blue Origin will have "the opportunity to present acceleration approaches by Oct. 29." The agency is also requesting plans from the commercial space industry more broadly for how NASA can "increase the cadence of our mission."
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
SpaceX and Blue Origin will have "the opportunity to present acceleration approaches by Oct. 29." The agency is also requesting plans from the commercial space industry more broadly for how NASA can "increase the cadence of our mission."
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Historically, SpaceX has offset its wetlands destruction by donating land to the state. But now, SpaceX is hoping to preserve one piece of land that can be tapped again — and again — as it develops the world’s most powerful rocket outside of Brownsville.
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www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
SpaceX seeks wetlands mitigation bank to grow Starship launch site
SpaceX wants to create the Rockhands Mitigation Bank to offset a proposed launch pad expansion that would destroy 18 acres of wetlands in South Texas.
www.houstonchronicle.com
October 20, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Historically, SpaceX has offset its wetlands destruction by donating land to the state. But now, SpaceX is hoping to preserve one piece of land that can be tapped again — and again — as it develops the world’s most powerful rocket outside of Brownsville.
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
NASA will allow other companies to vie for its Artemis III human landing system as Starship falls behind schedule in Texas.
Artemis III is now set to launch no later than 2028, suggesting a slip from its launch target of 2027.
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Artemis III is now set to launch no later than 2028, suggesting a slip from its launch target of 2027.
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Could Blue Origin develop Artemis III moon lander? NASA reopens bidding.
Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy announced Monday that he would allow other companies to compete for the Artemis III landing contract that was awarded to the SpaceX Starship spacecraft.
www.houstonchronicle.com
October 20, 2025 at 5:45 PM
NASA will allow other companies to vie for its Artemis III human landing system as Starship falls behind schedule in Texas.
Artemis III is now set to launch no later than 2028, suggesting a slip from its launch target of 2027.
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Artemis III is now set to launch no later than 2028, suggesting a slip from its launch target of 2027.
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
‘Fiddler on the Moon’ examines if Judaism can be adapted to spaceflight.
“The specifics are Jewish, but the themes are universal. They allow us to explore this intersection of religion and science, which are commonly viewed as polar opposites."
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“The specifics are Jewish, but the themes are universal. They allow us to explore this intersection of religion and science, which are commonly viewed as polar opposites."
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
‘Fiddler on the Moon’ examines how Judaism can be adapted to spaceflight
“Fiddler on the Moon: Judaism in Space” is a short documentary on this religion during the Apollo moon landing, space shuttle and International Space Station.
www.houstonchronicle.com
October 8, 2025 at 6:30 PM
‘Fiddler on the Moon’ examines if Judaism can be adapted to spaceflight.
“The specifics are Jewish, but the themes are universal. They allow us to explore this intersection of religion and science, which are commonly viewed as polar opposites."
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
“The specifics are Jewish, but the themes are universal. They allow us to explore this intersection of religion and science, which are commonly viewed as polar opposites."
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...