Mike Wall
Michael Wall is a Senior Space Writer with Space.com and joined the team in 2010. He primarily covers exoplanets, spaceflight and military space, but has been known to dabble in the space art beat. His book about the search for alien life, "Out There," was published on Nov. 13, 2018. Before becoming a science writer, Michael worked as a herpetologist and wildlife biologist. He has a Ph.D. in evolutionary biology from the University of Sydney, Australia, a bachelor's degree from the University of Arizona, and a graduate certificate in science writing from the University of California, Santa Cruz. To find out what his latest project is, you can follow Michael on Twitter.
Latest articles by Mike Wall
SpaceX Starship's next launch 'probably 3 to 5 weeks' away, Elon Musk says
By Mike Wall published
SpaceX's Starship megarocket will likely conduct its fourth-ever test flight in the next month or so, according to Elon Musk.
NASA appoints 1st AI chief to keep agency on 'the cutting edge'
By Mike Wall published
NASA has appointed its first-ever chief artificial intelligence officer, a move designed to ensure that the agency keeps up with the vital and rapidly evolving tech.
SpaceX launches 23 Starlink satellites from Florida (video)
By Mike Wall last updated
SpaceX launched 23 of its Starlink satellites from Florida on Sunday (May 12), adding to its huge and ever-growing broadband megaconstellation.
FAA to conduct new environmental review for SpaceX's Starship operations in Florida
By Mike Wall published
The FAA announced May 10 that it will prepare an environmental impact statement for SpaceX's planned work with Starship at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
SpaceX launches 20 Starlink satellites from California (video)
By Mike Wall last updated
SpaceX launched 20 Starlink internet satellites from California early Friday morning (May 10), including 13 with direct-to-cell capability.
SpaceX fires up Starship rocket for upcoming 5th test flight (photos, video)
By Mike Wall published
SpaceX ignited the engines on the upper stage of its fifth Starship vehicle today (May 8), even though the fourth one has not yet left the ground.
Boeing's Starliner rolled off launch pad to replace 'buzzing' rocket valve (photo)
By Mike Wall published
Boeing's Starliner spacecraft was rolled off the launch pad today (May 8) to replace a misbehaving valve on its Atlas V rocket.
SpaceX launches 23 satellites from Florida on 1st leg of Starlink doubleheader (video)
By Mike Wall last updated
SpaceX launched another batch of its Starlink internet satellites from Florida today (May 8), on the first leg of a planned spaceflight doubleheader for the company.
1st astronaut launch of Boeing's Starliner delayed to May 17 to replace 'buzzing' rocket valve
By Mike Wall published
The first crewed launch of Boeing's Starliner spacecraft has been pushed to May 17 so teams can replace a valve on its Atlas V rocket.
'Warp drives' may actually be possible someday, new study suggests
By Mike Wall published
A new study provides some theoretical underpinning to sci-fi warp drives, suggesting that the superfast propulsion tech may not forever elude humanity.
'Buzzing' rocket valve pushes 1st astronaut launch of Boeing's Starliner capsule to May 10
By Mike Wall published
The historic first crewed launch of Boeing's new Starliner astronaut taxi has been pushed to no earlier than Friday (May 10), due to an issue with the vehicle's rocket ride.
SpaceX launches 23 Starlink satellites from Florida (video)
By Mike Wall published
SpaceX launched another batch of its Starlink internet satellites today (May 6), the company's 46th orbital mission of the year already.
Boeing's Starliner to join exclusive spacecraft club with 1st astronaut launch today
By Mike Wall published
Boeing's Starliner capsule will launch astronauts for the first time today (May 6), joining a very select group of spacecraft.
Virgin Galactic to launch 7th commercial spaceflight on June 8
By Mike Wall published
Virgin Galactic is targeting June 8 for its seventh commercial spaceflight, a suborbital jaunt called, fittingly enough, Galactic 07.
China launches Chang'e 6 sample-return mission to moon's far side (video)
By Mike Wall published
China continued its run of moon missions today (May 3), launching its bold Chang'e 6 sample-return effort to the lunar far side.
SpaceX launches 23 Starlink satellites in 2nd half of spaceflight doubleheader (video)
By Mike Wall last updated
SpaceX launched another batch of its Starlink internet satellites on Thursday (May 2), on the second half of a planned spaceflight doubleheader.
SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches 2 satellites on record-tying 20th flight (video)
By Mike Wall last updated
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched two Maxar Earth-observation satellites today (May 2). It was the record-tying 20th mission for this rocket's first stage.
NASA picks 9 companies to develop Mars 'commercial services' ideas
By Mike Wall published
NASA has selected nine companies to develop concepts that could agency science missions to Mars down the road.
SpaceX's Crew-8 astronauts move Dragon at the ISS to make way for Boeing's Starliner
By Mike Wall last updated
The four astronauts of SpaceX's Crew-8 mission moved their Dragon capsule to a different port at the ISS on Thursday morning (May 2).
Satellite operator SES acquiring Intelsat in $3.1 billion deal
By Mike Wall published
SES plans to buy fellow satellite operator Intelsat, in a deal that could help the combined company compete with SpaceX's huge Starlink broadband network.
China's Shenzhou 17 astronauts return to Earth after 6 months in space (video)
By Mike Wall published
China's Shenzhou 17 astronauts touched down safely this morning (April 30), bringing their six-month mission to a successful close.
SpaceX's 30th Dragon cargo mission departs the ISS, splashes down on Earth
By Mike Wall last updated
SpaceX's 30th robotic Dragon cargo ship returned home to Earth with a splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean around 2:30 a.m. ET (0630 GMT) on April 30.
SpaceX vet's startup Portal Space Systems comes out of stealth mode
By Mike Wall published
Portal has developed a new satellite bus called Supernova that the company says will allow unprecedented mobility in Earth orbit and beyond.
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