Eric Berger merges space exploration journalism with actionable weather reporting, currently serving as Senior Space Editor at Ars Technica and co-founder of Space City Weather. His work spans:
“The best stories sit at the intersection of human ambition and physical limits—whether that’s a rocket’s max payload or a city’s flood defenses.”
We’ve followed Eric Berger’s career as a defining voice in space journalism and weather reporting, blending technical expertise with narrative clarity. His work at Ars Technica and Space City Weather has established him as a trusted authority on aerospace innovation and regional meteorology.
Berger’s journey began at the Houston Chronicle in 1998, where he pioneered the SciGuy blog—one of the first science-focused digital journalism platforms. His coverage of Hurricane Ike (2008) earned the Chronicle a Pulitzer Prize finalist nod, showcasing his ability to translate complex weather systems into public safety narratives. In 2015, he co-founded Space City Weather, which became Houston’s go-to source during Hurricane Harvey, logging over 1 million daily visits at the storm’s peak.
His 2015 transition to Ars Technica marked a shift toward deep-space reporting, where he’s documented SpaceX’s rise through best-selling books like Liftoff (2021) and Reentry (2024). This dual expertise in space and weather creates a unique lens for analyzing climate-tech intersections.
Berger dissects SpinLaunch’s shift from revolutionary launch systems to satellite manufacturing, questioning the economics of hypersonic centrifuge technology. Through interviews with CEO Jonathan Yaney and aerospace engineers, he reveals how market realities forced this pivot—a cautionary tale about overpromising in NewSpace ventures. The article’s impact resonated across investor circles, prompting reevaluations of similar startups.
This installment of Berger’s flagship newsletter analyzes SpaceX’s first attempt at reusing a Super Heavy booster. By comparing timelines from NASA’s Artemis program and Blue Origin’s New Glenn, he highlights the growing efficiency gap between public and private space initiatives. Regulatory insights from FAA documents underscore his ability to decode bureaucratic hurdles for general audiences.
Berger’s weather reporting balances scientific rigor with regional charm. This Easter forecast details a 50% rain chance using EURO and GFS models while humorously advising readers to “waterproof your Peeps.” Such pieces exemplify his commitment to community-focused science communication, merging data with cultural touchstones.
Berger prioritizes exclusive access to SpaceX’s prototyping phases, particularly for Starship and Starlink. A successful 2024 pitch revealed never-before-seen Raptor engine test data, which he contextualized against NASA’s SLS program. Avoid generic launch updates; focus on technical breakthroughs or personnel stories.
His Space City Weather work welcomes pitches about hyperlocal forecasting tools or climate-resilient infrastructure in Texas. A 2023 feature on Rice University’s flood-prediction AI emerged from a researcher’s cold email. Emphasize projects with immediate community applications.
With the FAA streamlining launch licenses, Berger seeks experts who can explain implications for smaller aerospace firms. A recent interview with former NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine traced regulatory shifts to 2015’s Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act.
His books demonstrate a fascination with aerospace history. Pitches comparing Artemis program challenges to Apollo-era solutions have yielded high engagement, especially when featuring archival materials or veteran engineer interviews.
Post-Hurricane Harvey, Berger highlights technologies like mobile flood sensors or emergency comms systems. Successful pitches include a 2022 profile of Houston’s real-time drainage monitoring network, which reduced flood response times by 40%.
Pulitzer Prize Finalist, Breaking News Reporting (2009)
As part of the Houston Chronicle team, Berger’s Hurricane Ike coverage provided critical evacuation guidance to 2.4 million residents. The Pulitzer Board noted his “exceptional ability to distill meteorological complexity into lifesaving directives.”
Space City Weather Day Proclamation (2021)
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner honored Berger and co-founder Matt Lanza for “democratizing access to trustworthy forecasts,” particularly during 2017’s Hurricane Harvey. The annual June 8 celebration underscores their community stewardship.
National Space Club Press Award (2023)
Awarded for Berger’s Ars Technica series on NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services program, which scrutinized contract allocations and technical hurdles. Judges praised his “unmatched capacity to hold both public and private space sectors accountable.”
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Science, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
