Mike Wall

A city on the moon: Why SpaceX shifted its focus away from Mars

By Mike Wall published 9 February 26

Just 13 months after declaring the moon "a distraction," Elon Musk has announced that Earth's nearest neighbor is now the focus of SpaceX's settlement plans. What changed?

SpaceX's next astronaut launch for NASA is officially on for Feb. 13 as FAA clears Falcon 9 rocket to fly again

By Mike Wall published 6 February 26

The FAA has cleared the Falcon 9 rocket to return to flight, freeing NASA and SpaceX to target Feb. 13 for the launch of the Crew-12 astronaut mission to the International Space Station.

When will SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket return to flight after 4 upper-stage issues in 19 months?

By Mike Wall published 6 February 26

For the fourth time in the last 19 months, the upper stage of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket experienced a problem during a mission. How long will the vehicle be grounded this time?

SpaceX grounds its Falcon 9 rocket after a problem with its upper stage. Will the Crew-12 astronaut mission be affected?

By Mike Wall published 3 February 26

SpaceX has temporarily grounded its Falcon 9 rocket after an upper stage failed to deorbit as planned during a Feb. 2 launch. Will the issue affect the company's Crew-12 astronaut mission?

NASA just delayed the Artemis 2 moon mission because its giant rocket has a leak — we've seen this before

By Mike Wall published 3 February 26

NASA has delayed its Artemis 2 moon launch until March at the earliest, after encountering some issues during a key prelaunch exercise known as a wet dress rehearsal.

NASA fuels up giant Artemis 2 moon rocket. Yes, it's a little leaky. So is it ready to fly?

By Mike Wall published 3 February 26

NASA fully fueled its Artemis 2 moon rocket during a crucial test today (Feb. 2) but had to pause the operation twice due to leaks. Will the agency still try to launch on Feb. 8?

'I hope they forget all about Artemis 2': Moon astronauts are taking the long view

By Mike Wall published 2 February 26

NASA's upcoming Artemis 2 moon mission is historic, but it's designed to pave the way for even bigger things.

Watch NASA fuel up its Artemis 2 moon rocket today in critical prelaunch test

By Mike Wall published 2 February 26

NASA will conduct a crucial fueling test with its Artemis 2 moon rocket today (Feb. 2), and you can watch the action live.

Blue Origin pausing space tourism flights for at least 2 years to focus on moon plans

By Mike Wall published 30 January 26

Blue Origin will ground its New Shepard suborbital vehicle for at least two years, in order to devote more resources to the company's crewed moon plans.

Rocket Lab launches Korean disaster-monitoring satellite after long delay

By Mike Wall last updated 30 January 26

Rocket Lab launched a South Korean disaster-monitoring satellite from New Zealand on Thursday (Jan. 29), about six weeks later than originally planned.

US government declassifies Cold War-era 'JUMPSEAT' spy satellites

By Mike Wall published 29 January 26

The National Reconnaissance Office just revealed the existence of its "JUMPSEAT" line of spy satellites, eight of which launched to Earth orbit between 1971 and 1987.

SpaceX targeting mid-March for 1st flight of bigger, more powerful Starship 'Version 3,' Elon Musk says

By Mike Wall published 28 January 26

SpaceX plans to launch the 12th test flight of its Starship megarocket in six weeks, according to Elon Musk. It will be the first mission of the bigger, more powerful Starship "V3."

SpaceX launches advanced GPS satellite for US Space Force (video, photos)

By Mike Wall last updated 28 January 26

SpaceX launched an advanced, jam-resistant GPS satellite for the U.S. Space Force from Florida on Tuesday night (Jan. 27).

Artemis 2 astronauts enter quarantine ahead of historic NASA moon launch

By Mike Wall published 26 January 26

The four astronauts of NASA's Artemis 2 moon mission went into quarantine on Jan. 23, keeping everything on track for a possible launch in early February.

NASA to fly piece of Wright Brothers' plane on Artemis 2 moon mission

By Mike Wall published 26 January 26

The Artemis 2 moon mission will send a swatch from the famous Wright Flyer, along with a number of other aerospace artifacts, when it launches in the coming weeks.

Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin will refly booster on next launch of powerful New Glenn rocket

By Mike Wall published 23 January 26

Blue Origin will use a flight-proven booster on the next launch of its New Glenn rocket. The liftoff, which is targeted for late February, will be just the third for New Glenn to date.

Blue Origin launches 6 space tourists to the final frontier after last-minute crew swap (video)

By Mike Wall published 22 January 26

Blue Origin launched six people to suborbital space today (Jan. 22). It was the 17th human spaceflight for the company, which was founded by Amazon's Jeff Bezos.

Rocket Lab launches its 1st mission of 2026, sending 2 satellites to orbit (video)

By Mike Wall published 22 January 26

Rocket Lab launched its first mission of 2026 this morning (Jan. 22), sending two satellites aloft for the European company Open Cosmos.

Record-setting astronaut Suni Williams retires from NASA after 27 years

By Mike Wall published 21 January 26

Astronaut Suni Williams left NASA late last month after 27 years of service. She spent a total of 608 days in space, more than all but one other American astronaut.

Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin plans to build 5,400-satellite megaconstellation

By Mike Wall published 21 January 26

Blue Origin just announced "TeraWave," a planned satellite megaconstellation designed for customers who need super-high-throughput communication services.

US Space Force awards 1st-of-its-kind $52 million contract to deorbit its satellites

By Mike Wall published 21 January 26

"This contract reflects both the value of affordable servicing missions and the technical readiness of the Otter."

NASA's Crew-11 astronauts to discuss medical evacuation from International Space Station today: Watch it live

By Mike Wall published 21 January 26

The four astronauts of SpaceX's Crew-11 mission will discuss their shorter-than-expected stay aboard the International Space Station today (Jan. 21), and you can watch it live.

Watch Blue Origin launch 6 people to suborbital space today

By Mike Wall published 20 January 26

Blue Origin will launch six people to the final frontier on Thursday (Jan. 22), and you can watch the space tourism mission live.

Watch NASA roll huge Artemis 2 moon rocket out to the launch pad today

By Mike Wall last updated 17 January 26

NASA will roll its Artemis 2 moon rocket out to the launch pad on Saturday (Jan. 17), and you can watch the slow-moving action live.

Crew-11 astronauts arrive in Houston after 1st-ever medical evacuation from ISS

By Mike Wall published 17 January 26

The four astronauts of SpaceX's Crew-11 mission made it to Houston today (Jan. 16), just a day after their unprecedented medical evacuation from the International Space Station.