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
Watch SpaceX's Starship go boom twice in this epic test-flight highlight video
By Mike Wall published
The second-ever test flight of SpaceX's giant Starship vehicle was action-packed, as a new video shows.
NASA's Ingenuity Mars helicopter aces 2nd-longest flight on the Red Planet
By Mike Wall published
NASA's Ingenuity Mars helicopter covered nearly half a mile of Martian ground on Friday (Dec. 15), acing its second-longest flight on the Red Planet.
SpaceX launches 22 Starlink satellites from California (video)
By Mike Wall last updated
SpaceX launched 22 more Starlink internet satellites to orbit from California early on Friday morning (Dec. 8).
Crossed wires caused parachute problem during OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample delivery, NASA says
By Mike Wall published
Crossed wires likely prevented OSIRIS-REx's return capsule from deploying its drogue parachute during its descent through Earth's atmosphere on Sept. 24, NASA officials say.
SpaceX launches its 90th orbital mission of the year (video)
By Mike Wall last updated
SpaceX launched 23 Starlink internet satellites on Thursday (Dec. 7) on the company's 90th orbital mission of 2023.
SpaceX's next Starship launch could feature key refueling test
By Mike Wall published
The third flight of SpaceX's giant Starship vehicle could involve a propellant-transfer demonstration, according to NASA officials.
Japan targeting Jan. 19 for nation's 1st-ever moon landing
By Mike Wall published
Japan's robotic SLIM spacecraft will make the nation's first-ever moon landing on Jan. 19, if all goes according to plan.
NASA's Mars robots back in action after 'solar conjunction'
By Mike Wall published
NASA's Mars robots are back up to full speed on and around the Red Planet, after a two-week pause in commanding.
Stratolaunch's huge Roc plane flies with fueled-up hypersonic vehicle for 1st time (photos)
By Mike Wall published
Stratolaunch's giant Roc airplane conducted its first-ever captive-carry flight with a fueled Talon-A hypersonic test vehicle on Sunday (Dec. 3).
SpaceX launches 23 more Starlink satellites from Florida (video)
By Mike Wall published
SpaceX launched another 23 Starlink internet satellites from Florida on Saturday night (Dec. 2).
SpaceX launches another batch of Starlink satellites from Florida (video)
By Mike Wall last updated
SpaceX launched yet another batch of its Starlink internet satellites from Florida on Monday night (Nov. 27).
Europe's new Ariane 6 rocket aces crucial 7-minute engine burn
By Mike Wall last updated
Europe conducted a crucial seven-minute-long burn with the core-stage engine of its new Ariane 6 rocket today (Nov. 23), keeping the vehicle on track for a 2024 debut.
Epic 33-engine burn among successes of Starship's 2nd test flight, SpaceX says
By Mike Wall published
All 33 of the Raptor engines that power Starship's giant Super Heavy first stage performed well during Saturday's (Nov. 18) liftoff, SpaceX said.
SpaceX launches 23 Starlink satellites from Florida (video)
By Mike Wall last updated
SpaceX launched 23 Starlink internet satellites from Florida early Wednesday (Nov. 22), just a few days after its epic Starship liftoff.
SpaceX's epic Starship liftoff didn't damage launch pad, Elon Musk says
By Mike Wall published
The second-ever launch of SpaceX's huge Starship rocket this weekend didn't appreciably damage the pad, according to company founder and CEO Elon Musk.
SpaceX's Starship should be ready to fly again before Christmas, Elon Musk says
By Mike Wall published
SpaceX will likely be ready from a technical standpoint to launch its next Starship flight in just three to four weeks, Elon Musk said. But the FAA also has to clear the vehicle for liftoff.
SpaceX wraps busy weekend with launch of 22 Starlink satellites (video)
By Mike Wall last updated
SpaceX launched 22 more Starlink internet satellites from California early Monday (Nov. 20), wrapping up a busy spaceflight weekend for the company.
FAA to oversee investigation of SpaceX's explosive 2nd Starship flight
By Mike Wall published
The FAA will oversee a SpaceX-led investigation of the second-ever flight of the company's giant Starship vehicle, which ended eight minutes after liftoff on Nov. 18.
NASA chief congratulates SpaceX on Starship's explosive 2nd launch test
By Mike Wall published
SpaceX's Starship notched a number of milestones on its second-ever test flight today (Nov. 18), drawing praise from NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.
SpaceX's 2nd Starship launch today (Nov. 18): How it will work
By Mike Wall last updated
Here's a brief explainer of the second-ever test flight of SpaceX's Starship vehicle, which is planned for Saturday (Nov. 18).
SpaceX launches 23 Starlink satellites on 1st of back-to-back missions this weekend
By Mike Wall last updated
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched 23 Starlink internet satellites from Florida on Saturday (Nov. 18), the first of two planned Starlink launches this weekend.
Watch SpaceX's Starship launch on its 2nd-ever test flight today
By Mike Wall published
SpaceX plans to launch its giant Starship vehicle for the second time ever this morning (Nov. 18), and you can watch the action live.
Rogue rocket that slammed into the moon last year confirmed to be Chinese vehicle
By Mike Wall published
The rocket body that slammed into the moon in March 2022 was part of the Long March 3C that launched China's Chang'e 5-T1 mission in 2014, a new study finds.