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
NASA weighs potential impacts of helium leaks and more on Boeing's Starliner astronaut test flight
By Mike Wall published
Starliner's two astronauts continue to put the capsule through a series of checks, while ground teams analyze helium leaks and other issues.
Watch SpaceX's Starship Super Heavy booster splash down in this epic video
By Mike Wall published
The huge first stage of Spacex's Starship megarocket came back to Earth as planned during the vehicle's June 6 test flight, and cameras recorded the dramatic action.
Boeing's 1st Starliner astronaut mission extended through June 18
By Mike Wall published
The first astronaut mission of Boeing's Starliner capsule won't come back to Earth until June 18 at the earliest, NASA announced over the weekend.
SpaceX lands Falcon 9 rocket for 300th time (video)
By Mike Wall last updated
SpaceX landed one of its Falcon 9 rockets for the 300th time tonight (June 7), notching the milestone during a Starlink satellite launch.
Boeing's 1st Starliner to carry astronauts arrives at ISS despite thruster malfunction
By Mike Wall last updated
Boeing's Starliner capsule arrived at the ISS on its second try today (June 6), overcoming a problem with several of its reaction-control system thrusters.
SpaceX Starship launches on nail-biting 4th test flight of world's most powerful rocket (video, photos)
By Mike Wall published
SpaceX launched its giant Starship rocket for the fourth time ever this morning (June 6) in a dramatic and nail-biting liftoff.
Watch SpaceX launch 4th test flight of Starship megarocket today
By Mike Wall last updated
SpaceX plans to launch its giant Starship rocket this morning (June 6), and you can watch the action live.
Watch Boeing's Starliner arrive at ISS today on historic 1st astronaut mission
By Mike Wall published
Boeing's Starliner capsule is scheduled to reach the ISS today (June 6) on its first-ever crewed mission, and you can watch the action live.
SpaceX congratulates Boeing, ULA on 1st crewed Starliner launch
By Mike Wall published
Elon Musk and SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell both congratulated the coalition that sent Boeing's Starliner capsule aloft today (June 5) on its first crewed mission.
How to watch Boeing's 1st Starliner astronaut test flight for NASA online
By Mike Wall last updated
Boeing's Starliner capsule launched astronauts for the first time ever on June 5 after an abort on June 1. Here's how to watch the entire mission online.
SpaceX launches 20 Starlink satellites, including 13 direct-to-cell craft (video)
By Mike Wall last updated
SpaceX launched another batch of its Starlink internet satellites on June 4, including 13 that can beam service directly to smartphones.
Rocket Lab launches 2nd shoebox-sized climate satellite for NASA (video)
By Mike Wall last updated
Rocket Lab launched the second of two cubesats for NASA's PREFIRE climate change mission on Tuesday night (June 4).
The Hubble Space Telescope is old. Here's NASA's new plan to keep it alive through 2035
By Mike Wall published
The Hubble Space Telescope will soon go into one-gyroscope mode, a move that will decrease the iconic observatory's productivity but give it margin for the future.
SpaceX targeting June 6 for next launch of Starship megarocket (photos)
By Mike Wall published
SpaceX plans to launch its huge Starship rocket on Thursday (June 6), provided it clears the required regulatory hurdles.
China lands Chang'e 6 sample-return probe on far side of the moon, a lunar success (video)
By Mike Wall published
China's robotic Chang'e 6 mission aced its landing on the moon's far side Saturday (June 1) and will soon collect samples to send home to Earth.
Russian Progress 88 cargo ship docks at ISS carrying tons of fresh supplies
By Mike Wall last updated
Russia's robotic Progress 88 cargo craft arrived at the International Space Station Saturday morning (June 1) to deliver nearly 3 tons of fresh supplies.
SpaceX launches 23 Starlink satellites into orbit from Florida in late-night liftoff (video)
By Mike Wall last updated
SpaceX launch another batch of its Starlink broadband satellites from Florida tonight (May 31), adding to a very busy stretch in spaceflight.
Boeing's Starliner rolls out to pad for June 1 astronaut launch (photos)
By Mike Wall published
Boeing's Starliner capsule rolled out to the pad today (May 30) ahead of its first-ever astronaut launch, which is scheduled for June 1.
Russian Soyuz rocket launches tons of supplies to ISS on Progress 88 cargo ship (video)
By Mike Wall last updated
Russia launched the robotic Progress 88 freighter toward the International Space Station early on Thursday (May 30).
Boeing Starliner capsule's 1st astronaut mission cleared for June 1 liftoff
By Mike Wall published
The first-ever astronaut launch of Boeing's Starliner capsule, known as Crew Flight Test, is "go" for its planned June 1 launch, NASA announced today (May 29).
SpaceX fuels Starship megarocket again to prep for test flight (photos)
By Mike Wall published
SpaceX fueled up its Starship rocket again on Tuesday (May 28), continuing preparations for the giant vehicle's upcoming test flight.
Robotic Russian cargo ship leaves the ISS, burns up in Earth's atmosphere (photo)
By Mike Wall published
Russia's uncrewed Progress 86 cargo craft departed the International Space Station early Tuesday morning (May 28), ending a six-month orbital stay.
Chinese astronauts perform record-breaking spacewalk outside Tiangong space station (video)
By Mike Wall published
Two Chinese astronauts spent about 8.5 hours outside the Tiangong space station today (May 28), setting a new spacewalk-duration record for the country.