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.webp) Screenshot of the website in December 2024 | |
Type of site | Spaceflight, astronomy, skywatching and entertainment news |
|---|---|
| Available in | English |
| Owner | Future plc |
| Created by | Lou Dobbs, Rich Zahradnik |
| URL | Space.com |
| Commercial | Yes |
| Registration | Not required |
| Launched | July 20, 1999; 26 years ago (1999-07-20)[1][2] New York City,New York, U.S. |
| Current status | Active |
Space.com is an online publication focused onspace exploration,astronomy, skywatching and entertainment, with editorial teams based in the United States and United Kingdom. Launched on July 20, 1999,[3] the website offers live coverage of space missions, astronomical discoveries and reviews about skywatching telescopes, binoculars and sci-fi entertainment gear.
It is owned byFuture plc headquartered in the city ofBath,England.[3] Its stories are often syndicated to othermedia outlets, includingCNN,MSNBC,Yahoo!, andUSA Today.
Space.com was founded on July 20, 1999, on the 30th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing, by former CNN anchorLou Dobbs and Rich Zahradnik in New York City. Dobbs was CEO and Zahradnik the company's first president. Former astronautsNeil Armstrong andSally Ride sat on the board of directors.[4]PaineWebber,Venrock Associates, and SpaceVest were early investors.[5]
The company struggled to turn a profit in its early days and when thedot-com bubble burst in 2000, many felt that it would collapse. Co-founder Rich Zahradnik left his position as president less than two months after the start of the company, formerastronautSally Ride took his place but then stepped down in September 2000.[6] Despite some growth, Space.com was not able to achieve what Dobbs had hoped. On May 14, 2001, he returned to CNN.[7]
After Dobbs exited, the company's backers continued to invest capital.[5] As it expanded, Space.com acquired Explorezone.com in November 1999[8] and Starport.com in June 2000.[9] In October, Space.com also acquiredSpaceNews, spacenews.com, andFlorida Today’s Space Online websites fromGannett for an equity stake in the company.[10] It acquired Sienna Software, the company that produced the Starry Night software.[5]
In 2003, Space.com received theOnline Journalism Award for Breaking News for its coverage of the Columbia shuttle disaster.[4][11]
In May 2004, Space.com's parent company changed its name from Space Holdings to Imaginova.[12] In November of that year, Imaginova launchedLive Science to branch out from its space coverage.[13] It also acquiredOrion Telescopes in February 2005[14] and comic book news siteNewsarama in October 2007.[15] In 2008, Imaginova sold Starry Night to Simulation Curriculum.[16]
In 2009, Imaginova sold Space.com,Live Science, andNewsarama to TopTenReviews.com, which then reorganized into TechMedia Network, following the purchase.[17][18] Space.com was recognized as a Webby Award honoree in 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2014.[4][19] The company changed its name toPurch in April 2014.[20]
In 2018, Space.com—along with other Purch consumer brands—were sold toFuture plc.[21] Under Future, Space.com has expanded its news and reviews team across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. It has also grown its telescope, binoculars, and astrophotography reviews and deals coverage, as well as added sci-fi gaming and streaming coverage.[4]
Tariq Malik is the current Editor-in-Chief of Space.com,[22] with Brett Tingley as Editor,[23] and Mike Wall as Spaceflight/Tech Channel Editor. Photographer Jason Parnell-Brookes is the Cameras and Skywatching Channel Editor,[24] and Ian Stokes is the Tech & Entertainment Channel Editor.[25] Steve Spaleta is the current Senior Producer for video.[26] Previous editors include: Anthony Duignan-Cabrera,[27] Robert Roy Britt,[28]Clara Moskowitz and Sarah Lewin.[29]
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