Eric Berger /

Senior Space Editor

Eric Berger is the senior space editor at Ars Technica, covering everything from astronomy to private space to wonky NASA policy, and author of two books: Liftoff, about the rise of SpaceX; and Reentry, on the development of the Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon. Eric has an astronomy degree from the University of Texas and a master's in journalism from the University of Missouri. He previously worked at the Houston Chronicle for 17 years, where the paper was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 2009 for his coverage of Hurricane Ike. A certified meteorologist, Eric founded Space City Weather and The Eyewall, and lives in Houston. Connect with Eric on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Recent stories by Eric Berger

Congress apparently feels a need for “reaffirmation” of SLS rocket

Because I'm tall enough, I'm orange enough, and doggone it, Senators like me.

Eric Berger – Jul 10, 2024 6:32 pm UTC

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Feds who forced Ukrainian investor to sell rocket company backtrack years later

"I hope you now are happy. History will judge all of you guys."

Eric Berger – Jul 10, 2024 1:09 pm UTC

141
Beryl is just the latest disaster to strike the energy capital of the world

It's pretty weird to use something I've written about in the abstract for so long.

Eric Berger – Jul 9, 2024 8:32 pm UTC

216
SpaceX video teases potential Starship booster “catch” on next flight

A booster landing would be a calculated risk to SpaceX's launch tower infrastructure.

Eric Berger – Jul 5, 2024 5:29 pm UTC

115
Two of the German military’s new spy satellites appear to have failed in orbit

Did OHB really not test the satellite antennas on the ground?

Eric Berger – Jul 2, 2024 9:48 pm UTC

196
Yes, you should be a little freaked out about Hurricane Beryl

"It's hard to communicate how unbelievable this is."

Eric Berger – Jul 2, 2024 1:12 pm UTC

405
Chinese space firm unintentionally launches its new rocket

Space Pioneer had been prepping the vehicle for its debut launch later this summer.

Eric Berger – Jul 1, 2024 12:52 pm UTC

223
Mere days before its debut, the Ariane 6 rocket loses a key customer to SpaceX

"I am impatiently waiting to understand what reasons could have led Eumetsat to such a decision."

Eric Berger – Jun 28, 2024 5:50 pm UTC

268
The world’s toughest race starts Saturday, and it’s delightfully hard to call this year

Setting the stage for what could be a wild ride across France.

Eric Berger – Jun 28, 2024 11:00 am UTC

183
NASA will pay SpaceX nearly $1 billion to deorbit the International Space Station

The space agency did consider alternatives to splashing the station.

Eric Berger – Jun 27, 2024 4:54 pm UTC

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Some European launch officials still have their heads stuck in the sand

"Starship will not eradicate Ariane 6 at all."

Eric Berger – Jun 26, 2024 5:18 pm UTC

360
NASA’s commercial spacesuit program just hit a major snag

"Unfortunately Collins has been significantly behind schedule."

Eric Berger – Jun 25, 2024 7:22 pm UTC

278
Rocks from the far side of the Moon landed on Earth Tuesday

The mission has significance for the Moon race between China and the United States.

Eric Berger – Jun 25, 2024 12:59 pm UTC

172
Sir Peter Beck unplugged: “Transporter can do it for free for all we care”

"Look, there's no accidental monopoly. They are a ruthless competitor."

Eric Berger – Jun 24, 2024 10:30 pm UTC

304
NASA indefinitely delays return of Starliner to review propulsion data

“We are letting the data drive our decision."

Eric Berger – Jun 22, 2024 1:27 am UTC

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Family whose roof was damaged by space debris files claims against NASA

"Whatever NASA does is going to send a strong signal to the space industry."

Eric Berger – Jun 21, 2024 1:02 pm UTC

246
Rocket Report: Electron turns 50, China’s Moon launcher breathes fire

"Most rocket startups are still stuck in the long process of reengineering."

Eric Berger – Jun 21, 2024 10:45 am UTC

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Ars Live Recap: Is SpaceX a launch company or a satellite communications company?

"They're the largest satellite operator in the world."

Eric Berger – Jun 18, 2024 7:22 pm UTC

215
NASA delays Starliner return a few more days to study data

“I would not characterize it as frustration. I would characterize it as learning.”

Eric Berger – Jun 18, 2024 6:46 pm UTC

223
Ars Live: How Profitable is Starlink? Join our discussion today!

Eric Berger and Caleb Henry discuss the orbital ISP's economics at 2 pm Eastern.

Eric Berger – Jun 11, 2024 4:20 pm UTC

279
As NASA watches Starship closely, here’s what the agency wants to see next

"What happens if I don't have a Human Landing System available to execute a mission?"

Eric Berger – Jun 11, 2024 3:55 pm UTC

183
Stoke Space ignites its ambitious main engine for the first time

"This industry is going toward full reusability. To me, that is the inevitable end state."

Eric Berger – Jun 11, 2024 1:40 pm UTC

216
Virgin Galactic has ceased flying its only space plane. Now what?

This is a bold bet on the future, but it's by no means a certain one.

Eric Berger – Jun 10, 2024 2:42 pm UTC

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As leaks on the space station worsen, there’s no clear plan to deal with them

"We heard that basically the program office had a runaway fire on their hands."

Eric Berger – Jun 7, 2024 2:03 pm UTC

213
Rocket Report: Starliner soars to space station; Starship’s wild flight

"This powerful rocket is the culmination of many years of dedication and ingenuity."

Eric Berger – Jun 7, 2024 11:00 am UTC

357
After a drama-filled day, Boeing’s Starliner finally finds its way

"I think we’re missing something fundamental that’s going on inside the thrusters."

Eric Berger – Jun 7, 2024 12:14 am UTC

173
The Hubble Space Telescope has lost a majority of its gyroscopes

"We do not see Hubble as being on its last legs."

Eric Berger – Jun 4, 2024 10:18 pm UTC

177
China lands on the Moon again, taking another step toward human missions

The most dominant space storyline for the rest of this decade is the US-China race.

Eric Berger – Jun 3, 2024 7:24 pm UTC

181
No physics? No problem. AI weather forecasting is already making huge strides.

New model that predicts global weather can run on a single desktop computer.

Eric Berger – Jun 3, 2024 11:00 am UTC

187
Here’s why a Japanese billionaire just canceled his lunar flight on Starship

"I feel terrible making the crew members wait longer."

Eric Berger – Jun 1, 2024 2:10 pm UTC

328
Daily Telescope: The most distant galaxy found so far is a total surprise

"Its discovery has profound implications."

Eric Berger – Jun 1, 2024 12:00 pm UTC

156
Our only mission at Venus may have just gone dark

A jealous planet guards its secrets closely?

Eric Berger – May 29, 2024 2:02 pm UTC

80
Daily Telescope: See carbon dioxide sublimating on Mars

An amazing photo from an aging spacecraft.

Eric Berger – May 29, 2024 12:00 pm UTC

20
SpaceX sets date for next Starship flight, explains what went wrong the last time

Clearing blocked filters and clogged valves is the order of the day.

Eric Berger – May 24, 2024 6:10 pm UTC

282
Rocket Report: SpaceX focused on Starship reentry; Firefly may be for sale

"Teams are in the process of completing a follow-on propulsion system assessment."

Eric Berger – May 24, 2024 12:00 pm UTC

254
Daily Telescope: The initial results from Europe’s Euclid telescope are dazzling

"Euclid’s instruments can detect objects just a few times the mass of Jupiter."

Eric Berger – May 24, 2024 12:00 pm UTC

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