Irene Klotz
Irene Klotz is a founding member and long-time contributor to Space.com. She concurrently spent 25 years as a wire service reporter and freelance writer, specializing in space exploration, planetary science, astronomy and the search for life beyond Earth. A graduate of Northwestern University, Irene currently serves as Space Editor for Aviation Week & Space Technology.
Latest articles by Irene Klotz
Boiling Blood and Radiation: 5 Ways Mars Can Kill
By Irene Klotz last updated
Radiation exposure is among the top health risks for Mars astronauts, but the Red Planet poses many other dangers as well. Here are the fastest ways Mars would kill an unprotected traveler.
Orbital Loses Bid to Stop DARPA Satellite-Servicing Project
By Irene Klotz published
Spaceflight provider Orbital ATK lost a bid to stop DARPA from partnering with a competing company to demonstrate in-space satellite-servicing technology.
NASA Could Reach Mars Faster with Public-Private Partnerships, Companies Tell Congress
By Irene Klotz published
Pence Calls for Return to the Moon, Boots on Mars
By Irene Klotz published
The Trump administration will seek a heavier emphasis on human-spaceflight efforts, including crewed missions to the moon and Mars, Vice President Mike Pence said today (July 6).
SpaceX Rockets Through Backlog with 3rd Launch in 9 Days
By Irene Klotz published
Moon Station Could Use Tech from Scrapped Asteroid Mission, NASA Says
By Irene Klotz published
NASA is salvaging technology from a scrapped asteroid mission to help build a space station orbiting the moon.
NASA to Test Fission Power for Future Mars Colony
By Irene Klotz published
NASA engineers are working on a nuclear fission system called Kilopower that would power a human colony on Mars.
Solar Eclipse 2017: Alaska Airlines Flight Will Offer View Above the Clouds
By Irene Klotz published
A group of lucky astronomy buffs will get to watch the moon block the face of the sun on Aug. 21 from 35,000 feet (10,700 meters) in the air aboard a special charter Alaska Airlines eclipse flight.
Liftoff! SpaceX Nails Second Launch in Three Days
By Irene Klotz published
SpaceX nailed its second launch in three days today (June 25) with liftoff of a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California carrying 10 satellites owned by Iridium Communications.
SpaceX Set for Second Falcon 9 Launch in Three Days
By Irene Klotz published
One day after putting Bulgaria's first communications satellite into orbit, SpaceX is preparing for a Falcon 9 launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on Sunday (June 25).
SpaceX to Launch 1st Satellite for Bulgaria (on a Used Rocket!) Monday
By Irene Klotz published
SpaceX is ramping up for its eighth flight of the year on Monday (June 19) with the launch of a communications satellite for Bulgaria aboard a previously flown Falcon 9 booster.
KFC Flying Chicken Sandwich Bankrolling World View Balloon Test Flight
By Irene Klotz published
A KFC ad campaign that will place a chicken sandwich on a World View stratospheric balloon has covered a significant portion of the cost of the test flight.
Pulsar-Based Navigation System to Get Test on Space Station
By Irene Klotz published
SpaceX Dragon Cargo Ship Poised for Historic Relaunch to Space Station
By Irene Klotz published
Orphan Planet's Huge Disk Shows That Planets Are More Like Stars Than We Know
By Irene Klotz published
The discovery of a vast star-like disk of gas and dust surrounding planet OTS44 challenges the notion of what differentiates a planet from a star, and of how their origins differ.
Rocket Lab Electron Booster Falls Short in Debut Test Launch
By Irene Klotz published
Rocket Lab's Electron Mini Launcher Blasts Off in Debut Flight from New Zealand
By Irene Klotz published
Space Station Astronauts to Take Surprise Spacewalk Tuesday to Replace Failed Computer Relay
By Irene Klotz published
Maiden Flight for Rocket Lab's Mini Launcher Nears
By Irene Klotz published
When Rocket Lab's small satellite launcher blasts off from New Zealand next week on its debut test flight, it will be more than just the Electron rocket that is on trial.
SpaceX Will Launch Its 1st Flight for Inmarsat Tonight: Watch It Live
By Irene Klotz published
Test Tank for NASA Heavy-Lift Rocket Damaged in Louisiana
By Irene Klotz published
A Space Launch System (SLS) fuel tank needed for structural tests in advance of the debut flight of NASA's heavy-lift booster was damaged on May 3, the space agency said today (May 11).
Dark Matter Probe on Space Station to Be Revitalized
By Irene Klotz published
Get the Space.com Newsletter
Breaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more!