Mike Wall

Mike Wall

Senior Space Writer

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.

Articles by: Mike Wall

a black-and-white spacex falcon 9 rocket launches into a nighttime sky.

SpaceX launches 22 Starlink satellites toward orbit

By Mike Wall last updated

SpaceX launched 22 of its Starlink internet satellites toward orbit tonight (Aug. 31) and aced a rocket landing at sea.

A white and black SpaceX rocket launches on the Tranche 0 mission for Space Force

SpaceX launches 13 satellites for US Space Force, lands rocket  —  and ties its own record (video)

By Mike Wall last updated

SpaceX launched an advanced new set of military satellites into orbit for the U.S. Space Force on Sept. 2 and tied its own launch rate record.

a small capsule descends toward a desert landscape beneath an orange and white parachute.

NASA conducts crucial drop test ahead of Sept. 24 arrival of OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample

By Mike Wall published

The OSIRIS-REx team performed a crucial drop test on Wednesday (Aug. 30), practicing what they'll do when the mission's real asteroid sample comes home on Sept. 24.

flames erupt from the base of a shiny silver rocket, as seen from above, during an engine test.

See more gorgeous photos of SpaceX's Starship engine test

By Mike Wall published

SpaceX has released more photos of the epic Aug. 25 static fire test of its Starship Super Heavy booster, which is being prepped for liftoff.

four people surround a small yellow-orange space capsule in a dry, flat desert lakebed.

NASA discussing September arrival of OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample: Watch live today

By Mike Wall published

NASA will discuss the September arrival of asteroid samples collected by its OSIRIS-REx probe during a press conference today (Aug. 30), and you can watch it live.

a spacecraft wrapped in gold foil sits in a large warehouse-like room with light yellow walls.

India to launch Aditya-L1, its 1st solar probe, on Sept. 2

By Mike Wall published

India plans to launch Aditya-L1, its first-ever dedicated solar probe, early on Saturday morning (Sept. 2).

a silver-white space plane fires its rocket motor with the curve of Earth and the blackness of space in the background

Virgin Galactic to launch next space tourist flight on Sept. 8

By Mike Wall published

Virgin Galactic will launch 'Galactic 03' on Sept. 8, its third commercial spaceflight and eighth space mission overall.

a black-and-white spacex falcon 9 rocket launches into a cloudy blue sky, with the oceans and mountains in the background.

US Department of Justice sues SpaceX for hiring discrimination

By Mike Wall published

The U.S. Department of Justice is suing SpaceX, alleging that Elon Musk's company discriminated against job applicants who are refugees or asylum recipients.

a brown and white rocket rolls toward its launch pad with a blue sky in the background

Atlas V rocket rolled to pad for 'Silent Barker' spysat launch (photos)

By Mike Wall published

United Launch Alliance rolled its Atlas V rocket to the launch pad today (Aug. 25), ahead of the planned Aug. 29 liftoff of the 'Silent Barker' reconnaissance mission.

SpaceX fires up giant Starship booster for 2nd time ahead of test flight (video)

By Mike Wall published

SpaceX fired up its huge new Starship Super Heavy booster for the second time today (Aug. 25), keeping the vehicle on track for a test flight in the near future.

a black and white spacex falcon 9 rocket launches at night.

SpaceX launches 5,000th Starlink satellite toward orbit (video)

By Mike Wall last updated

SpaceX launched 22 of its Starlink internet satellites toward orbit tonight (Aug. 26), bringing the total number it has lofted to date to more than 5,000.

A white spacex crew dragon rests atop a falcon 9 rocket. the top is visible through blurry leaves in the foreground. the launch tower's crew access arm reaches to the far side of the spacecraft.

SpaceX, NASA delay launch of Crew-7 astronauts to International Space Station

By Mike Wall published

SpaceX and NASA have scrubbed the planned Aug. 25 launch of the Crew-7 astronaut mission to the ISS. Liftoff is now targeted for Aug. 26 at 3:27 a.m. EDT (0727 GMT).

a satellite photo of a plane crash site surrounding by grassy fields and trees, with 20 or so vehicles nearby.

Wreckage of Russian warlord's plane spotted from space (satellite photo)

By Mike Wall published

A satellite has spotted the wreckage of the plane that went down in northwestern Russia on Aug. 23, apparently with Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin on board.

A spacecraft approaches with earth and the blackness of space in the background.

Russian cargo spacecraft arrives at ISS with nearly 3 tons of supplies

By Mike Wall published

A robotic Russian Progress cargo spacecraft arrived at the International Space Station on Thursday night (Aug. 24), delivering nearly 3 tons of supplies to the outpost.

A Rocket Lab Electron booster with one preflown engine launches from New Zealand on Aug. 23, 2023.

Rocket Lab launches booster with preflown engine for 1st time (video)

By Mike Wall published

Rocket Lab launched a booster with a flight-proven engine for the first time today (Aug. 23), taking a big step toward rocket reusability.

a tall silver rocket booster is rolled down a road surrounded by wetlands and sand dunes.

SpaceX to launch next Starship test flight 'soon,' Elon Musk says (photos)

By Mike Wall published

SpaceX recently moved a Starship rocket prototype back to the orbital launch mount for testing ahead of a coming flight, which Elon Musk says will happen soon.

four astronauts and white and black spacesuits wave while sitting inside a space capsule.

SpaceX Crew-7 astronauts rehearse ahead of Aug. 25 launch (photos)

By Mike Wall published

The four astronauts of SpaceX's Crew-7 mission to the International Space Station completed a full-day rehearsal ahead of launch, which is scheduled for Friday (Aug. 25).

illustration of a lander and a rover on the moon, with earth in the background.

India's Chandrayaan-3 probe to attempt historic moon landing on Aug. 23: Watch it live

By Mike Wall published

India's Chandrayaan-3 rover mission will try to land near the moon's south pole on Wednesday morning (Aug. 23), and you can watch the action live.

a white rocket launches into a grayish-blue sky.

Russian Progress cargo spacecraft launches toward the ISS

By Mike Wall published

A robotic Russian Progress cargo spacecraft launched toward the International Space Station tonight (Aug. 22), carrying 3 tons of supplies toward the orbiting lab.

a white spacex dragon capsule is seen head-on with dark skies in the background.

SpaceX, NASA declare Crew-7 astronaut mission 'go' for launch

By Mike Wall published

SpaceX and NASA have cleared the company's Crew-7 astronaut mission to the ISS for launch. Liftoff is scheduled for 3:50 a.m. EDT (0749 GMT) on Friday (Aug. 25).

a dark spot can be seen on a pale yellow sun

Perseverance Mars rover spies big sunspot rotating toward Earth (photos)

By Mike Wall published

NASA's Perseverance Mars rover has captured photos of a big sunspot, which should rotate into view for those of us on Earth in the coming days.

a white spacex dragon capsule is seen horizontally, pointing to the right, against a black background.

SpaceX rolls rocket to pad ahead of Crew-7 astronaut launch (photos)

By Mike Wall published

SpaceX has rolled its Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon capsule to the launch pad ahead of the planned Friday (Aug. 25) liftoff of the Crew-7 astronaut mission for NASA.

a close up of the body of a spacecraft wrapped in gold foil in space

Russia's Luna-25 moon lander suffers 'emergency situation' in lunar orbit

By Mike Wall published

Russia's Luna-25 moon lander suffered 'an emergency situation' during a maneuver in lunar orbit today (Aug. 19), putting the fate of the landmark mission in doubt.

a shiny silver rocket booster sits in a building with corrugating tin walls

SpaceX shows off newly modified Starship Super Heavy booster (photos)

By Mike Wall published

SpaceX has installed a new heat shield and 'vented interstage' on its latest Starship Super Heavy booster, which is being prepped for flight in the near future.

the moon's surface as seen from lunar orbit, showing gray dirt and a few craters

India's Chandrayaan-3 snaps close-up photos of moon ahead of landing try (video)

By Mike Wall published

India's Chandrayaan-3 probe has captured more amazing imagery of the moon ahead of its historic touchdown try, which is just a few days away.

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