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
ISS fires thrusters to dodge hunk of space junk
By Mike Wall published
A Russian cargo ship docked to the International Space Station fired its thrusters on Tuesday (Nov. 19) to ensure that the orbiting complex dodged a piece of space debris.
Trump watches SpaceX launch Starship's 6th test flight (photos)
By Mike Wall published
President-elect Donald Trump made the trip to South Texas today (Nov. 19) to watch the sixth test flight of SpaceX's giant Starship rocket.
SpaceX Starship launches banana to space, skips giant rocket catch on 6th test flight (video, photos)
By Mike Wall published
SpaceX launched its Starship megarocket for the sixth time ever today (Nov. 19) but did not try to catch the vehicle's Super Heavy first stage back at the pad.
Blue Origin targeting Nov. 22 for next space tourism launch
By Mike Wall published
Blue Origin is targeting Friday (Nov. 28) for its NS-28 tourism mission, which will take "Space Gal" Emily Calandrelli and five other people to suborbital space.
SpaceX launches heavy satellite in 1st mission for India's space agency (video, photos)
By Mike Wall last updated
SpaceX launched the GSAT-N2 satellite today (Nov. 18), the company's first-ever mission for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
SpaceX launches 20 Starlink satellites from California (video, photos)
By Mike Wall last updated
SpaceX launched 20 more of its Starlink internet satellites from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base early Monday morning (Nov. 18).
SpaceX launches Optus-X telecom satellite from Florida in gorgeous sunset liftoff (video, photos)
By Mike Wall last updated
SpaceX launched a satellite for the Australian telecom company Optus on Sunday evening (Nov. 17) from Florida's Space Coast.
USC students set world record with high-flying rocket launch (video)
By Mike Wall published
The student-run USC Rocket Propulsion Lab's Aftershock II vehicle soared to an altitude of 470,400 feet last month, higher than any amateur rocket had ever gone before.
SpaceX stacks Flight 6 Starship megarocket ahead of Nov. 19 launch (photos)
By Mike Wall published
SpaceX has stacked its Starship megarocket ahead of the vehicle's sixth test flight, which is scheduled to take place on Tuesday (Nov. 19).
Next Blue Origin space tourism flight will launch 'Space Gal' Emily Calandrelli
By Mike Wall published
Blue Origin has announced the six crewmembers for NS-28, its next suborbital space tourism mission. Among them are 'Space Gal' Emily Calandrelli and two repeat customers.
SpaceX rolls Starship Flight 6 Super Heavy rocket to pad ahead of Nov. 19 launch (photos)
By Mike Wall published
SpaceX has rolled the Super Heavy first stage of its Starship megarocket out to the launch pad to prep for the vehicle's sixth test flight, which is scheduled for Tuesday (Nov. 19).
FAA creating new committee to update launch regulations
By Mike Wall published
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration is creating a new committee to review and update its "Part 450" launch and reentry licensing rule.
SpaceX launches 24 Starlink satellites on 2nd leg of spaceflight doubleheader (video)
By Mike Wall last updated
SpaceX launched 24 of its Starlink internet satellites from Florida early this morning (Nov. 14), just five hours after another Starlink liftoff.
SpaceX launches 20 Starlink satellites from California (video)
By Mike Wall last updated
SpaceX launched 20 more of its Starlink internet satellites from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base on Thursday (Nov. 14).
Former Virgin Galactic CEO George Whitesides wins seat in US Congress
By Mike Wall published
Former Virgin Galactic CEO and NASA Chief of Staff George Whitesides won his race to represent California's 27th district in the U.S. Congress.
SpaceX rolls Starship Flight 6 spacecraft to pad ahead of Nov. 19 launch — and it's wearing a banana (photos)
By Mike Wall published
SpaceX just rolled the upper stage of its sixth Starship megarocket out to the pad to gear up for its test flight, which is scheduled for Nov. 19.
Trump appoints SpaceX's Elon Musk to help head regulation-slashing 'Department of Government Efficiency'
By Mike Wall published
President-elect Donald Trump has tapped Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to lead the new Department of Government Efficiency, which aims to 'dismantle government bureaucracy.'
NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab laying off 5% of its workforce
By Mike Wall published
The Jet Propulsion Laboratory, NASA's chief center for planetary exploration, is conducting its second round of layoffs in 2024, reducing its workforce by another 5%.
'I weigh the same': NASA astronaut Suni Williams refutes tabloid health claims (video)
By Mike Wall published
NASA astronaut Suni Williams says her weight is stable aboard the International Space Station, rebutting tabloid claims that her orbital stay has made her emaciated.
SpaceX launches 24 Starlink satellites from Florida, lands rocket at sea, after weather delay (video)
By Mike Wall last updated
SpaceX launched 24 new Starlink internet satellites into orbit from Florida's Space Coast and landed a rocket at sea in the second of back-to-back launches today (Nov. 11).
SpaceX rocket launches Koreasat-6A satellite, lands Falcon 9 booster on record-tying 23rd flight (video)
By Mike Wall last updated
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the KoreaSat-6A telecom satellite today. It was be the 23rd flight for the rocket's first stage, tying a company record.
SpaceX launches 20 Starlink satellites from California (video)
By Mike Wall last updated
SpaceX launched 20 Starlink internet satellites, including 13 with direct-to-cell capability, from California early Saturday morning (Nov. 9).
NASA still mum about SpaceX Crew-8 astronaut's medical issue
By Mike Wall published
NASA is not yet providing details about what caused a SpaceX Crew-8 astronaut to be hospitalized late last month, citing medical privacy concerns.
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