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
![a white and black rocket launches into a blue sky](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Rtxf5jdavuw8yT7uWuc8mj-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX launches 23 Starlink broadband satellites to orbit from Florida (video)
By Mike Wall last updated
SpaceX launched 23 more of its Starlink internet satellites from Florida's Space Coast on Wednesday evening (Oct. 23).
![a white-and-blue rocket launches under a blue sky](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/w9atEtDwKYqh6NoNCKPcmF-320-80.jpg)
Blue Origin launches 2nd human-rated New Shepard rocket, nails landing (video)
By Mike Wall last updated
Blue Origin launched its second human-rated New Shepard vehicle on an uncrewed flight Wednesday morning (Oct. 23) and nailed the landing of both crew capsule and rocket.
![Starlink satellites before deployment.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/66nAsxpJr7oyGUxf3BDYpA-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX's Starlink internet flies on a Boeing 777 jet for the 1st time
By Mike Wall published
SpaceX's Starlink satellites provided internet service on a Boeing 777 jet for the first time today (Oct. 22), during a Qatar Airways flight from Doha to London.
![ocean-level view of a rocket coming down for a splashdown at night](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uR2jHFPFWqYCCLx53EpVGF-320-80.jpg)
Watch SpaceX's Starship come down for nighttime splashdown during epic test flight (video)
By Mike Wall published
A new video shows the upper stage of SpaceX's Starship coming down for a nocturnal splashdown during its fifth test flight.
![a rocket lifting off in front of a blue sky](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JczvbFZcPL8gNyo6oRjRgW-320-80.jpg)
US Space Force awards SpaceX $730 million to launch at least 9 national-security missions
By Mike Wall published
The U.S. Space Force has awarded SpaceX $730 million to launch at least nine national security missions, seven of them for the Space Development Agency.
![a black-and-white spacex falcon 9 rocket launches into a night sky.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tUgUAKidX2nHumg4PCS3Jm-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX launches 20 Starlink internet satellites from Florida (video)
By Mike Wall published
SpaceX launched 20 more of its Starlink broadband satellites, including 13 with direct-to-cell capability, from Florida tonight (Oct. 18).
![view of earth's curve against the blackness of space](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/c9ev2uES3m8R3SivJDnkfG-320-80.jpg)
Richard Branson will co-pilot Space Perspective's 1st crewed balloon flight to edge of Earth's atmosphere
By Mike Wall published
Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson will serve as co-pilot on tourism company Space Perspective's first crewed balloon flight, expected to occur in 2025.
![a large silver rocket comes back to earth to land beside its launch tower, with the rising sun and the ocean in the background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2Bd2iSfNPm9ugmCJu55V3P-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX plans to catch Starship upper stage with 'chopsticks' in early 2025, Elon Musk says
By Mike Wall published
SpaceX just caught the giant first-stage booster of its Starship megarocket — and it plans to do the same with the vehicle's upper stage soon.
![A giant SpaceX rocket hovers near a lauch tower with metal arms trying to catch it as people watch from boats](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KRGz5fXyWeKq7WFAMUGFr5-320-80.png)
SpaceX catches giant Starship booster with 'Chopsticks' on historic Flight 5 rocket launch and landing (video)
By Mike Wall last updated
SpaceX launched its enormous Starship rocket for the fifth time ever today (Oct. 13), on a dramatic test flight that featured a mid-air catch of the first-stage Super Heavy booster.
![a hurricane is seen through the window of an orbiting spacecraft, with a white space capsule in the foreground](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XkMuf4ToqW7FGniezZ2JxE-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX's Crew-8 astronauts to depart ISS for trip home soon amid weather delays
By Mike Wall last updated
SpaceX's Crew-8 astronaut mission for NASA was scheduled to depart the International Space Station early Sunday morning (Oct. 13), but NASA and SpaceX waved off the attempt due to weather.
![a black and white rocket launches into a cloudy blue sky](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xdDigHvTnXLYabpeHnDVgA-320-80.jpg)
FAA clears SpaceX to resume Falcon 9 rocket launches
By Mike Wall published
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration announced on Friday (Oct. 11) that it has given SpaceX the green light to resume launches of its workhorse Falcon 9 rocket.
![view from the international space station of red and green auroras over earth.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eJy4dqretMgpmV9JXPize8-320-80.jpg)
'Stunning was the word': Astronauts snap amazing aurora photo from ISS during severe geomagnetic storm
By Mike Wall published
NASA astronauts Don Pettit and Matthew Dominick captured a supercharged, super-red aurora display from the International Space Station.
![view through an orbiting spacecraft's window showing a large hurricane on earth below, with a white space capsule in the foreground](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/s7yRFcpw5FWH2ccRCF9WZ8-320-80.jpg)
Dragon's-eye view: Astronaut captures amazing shots of Hurricane Milton from space (photos, video)
By Mike Wall published
NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick snapped striking photos of the powerful Hurricane Milton through the window of a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, which is docked to the ISS.
![photo taken in space showing earth in the background and the nozzle of a rocket engine in the foreground](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FtWKyWbwtbLgGjFU4az4ic-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX rocket snaps amazing views of Earth during Hera asteroid probe launch (photos)
By Mike Wall published
The upper stage of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket captured amazing images of Earth Monday (Oct. 7) during the launch of Europa's Hera asteroid probe.
![A vast Category 5 Hurricane Milton seen from the International Space Station.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/K7QUp3aXp23hcMDUpLgJZY-320-80.jpg)
Hurricane Milton forces NASA, SpaceX to delay Crew-8 astronauts' return to Earth
By Mike Wall last updated
Hurricane Milton has pushed the return to Earth of SpaceX's Crew-8 astronaut mission for NASA to no earlier than Sunday (Oct. 13), a six-day delay at the minimum.
![a large silver and black spacecraft is seen inside a large white hangar](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/NDgDS4Ebivgn68ancGeLcJ-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX, NASA stand down from Oct. 10 Europa Clipper launch due to Hurricane Milton
By Mike Wall published
SpaceX and NASA are standing down from the Oct. 10 launch of the Europa Clipper mission due to anticipated effects of Hurricane Milton. A new target date has not been announced.
![a rocket launch into a early morning sky colored pink and purple.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/EmY7XHmMS2JKMzQ7QZnj2j-320-80.jpg)
ULA's new Vulcan Centaur rocket launches on 2nd test flight (video)
By Mike Wall published
United Launch Alliance's new Vulcan Centaur rocket just launched on its second-ever mission, a key test flight that keeps it on track for certification by the U.S. Space Force.
![a white and red rocket stands on the launch pad under blue skies](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sHQaP2Cqwz2U9uYnUgwj3P-320-80.jpg)
ULA's Vulcan Centaur rocket is 'go' for 2nd-ever launch on Oct. 4
By Mike Wall published
United Launch Alliance's new Vulcan Centaur rocket is 'go' for its second-ever liftoff, a test flight scheduled to launch on Friday morning (Oct. 4).
![a black and white rocket launches into a cloudy blue sky](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xdDigHvTnXLYabpeHnDVgA-320-80.jpg)
FAA requires investigation of anomaly on SpaceX's Crew-9 astronaut launch
By Mike Wall published
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration is requiring an investigation of the anomaly a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket experienced during the Crew-9 astronaut launch on Sept. 28.
![a silver, white and red rocket stands inside a large hangar behind a pond](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Xe8EunpDMS7o6VptvHh2LK-320-80.jpg)
ULA rolls Vulcan Centaur rocket to pad ahead of 2nd-ever launch (photos)
By Mike Wall published
United Launch Alliance has rolled its second Vulcan Centaur rocket out to the pad ahead of launch, which is scheduled to take place on Friday (Oct. 4).
![a white space capsule is seen with earth in the background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nDGELYhRUZVemZ4tgUByJA-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX's Crew-9 Dragon spacecraft arrives at ISS to help bring Starliner astronauts home (video)
By Mike Wall published
SpaceX's two-person Crew-9 mission arrived at the International Space Station today (Sept. 29) after a one-day orbital chase.
![a black and white rocket launches into a cloudy blue sky](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Qq4MyEU9zJkpqoRJg8w5iW-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX pausing launches to study Falcon 9 issue on Crew-9 astronaut mission
By Mike Wall published
SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket experienced an issue during the Crew-9 astronaut launch on Sept. 28, and the company will stand down from liftoffs while figuring out what happened.
![A SpaceX black and white rocket launches the Crew-9 astronaut mission for NASA.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/AspZpn3qvUbzhtWheoedwY-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX launches Crew-9 astronauts from upgraded Florida pad to return Boeing Starliner crew home
By Mike Wall last updated
SpaceX launched a NASA astronaut and a Russian cosmonaut toward the ISS today (Sept. 28), on a mission unlike any other the company has flown.
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