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
![side by side photos showing a rocket coming down for landing on a ship at sea and an engine nozzle glowing orange-hot in space](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6WC9kg3ZqTUbm2tKEDdcnQ-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX launches 20 Starlink internet satellites from California (video, photos)
By Mike Wall last updated
SpaceX launched 20 more of its Starlink broadband satellites, including 13 with direct-to-cell capability, from California early Wednesday morning (Sept. 25).
![a white space capsule sits atop a rocket on the launch pad, with greenery and the ocean in the background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2vodiFzkx5vu298brxFbEj-320-80.jpg)
Tropical Storm Helene delays SpaceX's Crew-9 astronaut launch to Sept. 28
By Mike Wall published
SpaceX and NASA have delayed the Crew-9 astronaut launch from Thursday (Sept. 26) to no earlier than Saturday (Sept. 28) due to a strengthening tropical storm.
![a huge silver rocket stands on a seaside launch pad](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/94xJ4KCKwR6a7bcxFFAD8V-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX stacks Starship megarocket ahead of 5th test flight (photos)
By Mike Wall published
SpaceX has stacked and tested its Starship megarocket ahead of the vehicle's fifth flight, which isn't expected to launch until late November.
![a crushed rocket engine with multiple nozzles is lifted out of the sea by chains](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XSbKDkdPoBw5DyTXUCFfcF-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX fishes Starship Super Heavy booster out of the sea (photo)
By Mike Wall published
SpaceX has retrieved from the sea the first-stage booster that flew on its latest Starship test flight, which launched this past June.
![two people walk from a small white jet onto the tarmac, heading toward a lectern with the nasa emblem on it](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3EK6FFnZSYZhwQaoFhLSMZ-320-80.jpg)
Astronauts, capsule for SpaceX's Crew-9 mission arrive at Florida launch site (photos)
By Mike Wall published
The astronauts and Crew Dragon capsule that will fly SpaceX's Crew-9 mission to the ISS have made it to Florida's Space Coast for their planned Sept. 26 liftoff.
![a gray and white spacecraft is seen against the curve of earth at night](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/n3pohUALzfsFsSXvEtwEfR-320-80.jpg)
Watch NASA astronaut, 2 record-breaking cosmonauts head home to Earth on Sept. 23
By Mike Wall published
A NASA astronaut and two record-setting Russian cosmonauts are set to head back to Earth on Monday (Sept. 23), and you can watch their homecoming live.
![a white space capsule is seen through a spacecraft window, with earth in the background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/s4JRYQCHCFQ6LUdQeicQ5o-320-80.jpg)
Boeing Space & Defense chief Ted Colbert is leaving: reports
By Mike Wall published
Ted Colbert will no longer be CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security, according to media reports.
![closeup of a silver rocket booster held above ground by the mechanical arms of its launch tower, with the ocean in the background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cC8MRoh3CWckJHawNmhzuA-320-80.png)
SpaceX practices for epic Starship booster catch attempt (photos)
By Mike Wall published
The next test flight of SpaceX's Starship megarocket will feature an attempt to catch the vehicle's first stage with the launch tower — and the company is practicing for the big moment.
![The first stage of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket comes down for a landing on a ship at sea on Sept. 20, 2024 (left) while the rocket's upper stage carries 20 Starlink internet satellites to orbit (right).](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/x68Hs9q95jqPwLScMuH4Bj-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX launches 20 Starlink satellites, lands rocket at sea (video)
By Mike Wall published
SpaceX launched yet another batch of its Starlink internet satellites to orbit today (Sept. 20), sending the spacecraft aloft from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
![A white and black SpaceX rocket launches into the twilight sky.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8FdKMmCstG8xM7hs7yAaLA-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX blasts proposed FAA fines in complaint letter to Congress
By Mike Wall published
SpaceX has sent a letter to high-ranking Senate and House committee members contesting the $630,000 fine proposed by the FAA for alleged launch violations.
![SpaceX conducts a static fire test with the Starship upper stage that will perform the vehicle's sixth test flight. The test occurred on Sept. 18, 2024.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jSpLx2RneXep9DKEhK8f7G-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX fires up 6th Starship to prep for test flight (video, photo)
By Mike Wall published
SpaceX fired up the engines of its sixth Starship vehicle on Wednesday (Sept. 18) to gear up for a test flight that's probably still several months away.
![A Rocket Lab Electron vehicle stands on the pad just after a last-second launch abort on Sept. 18, 2024.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ycXkFACETVeLsvc4rAVmUW-320-80.jpg)
Rocket Lab aborts launch of 5 'Internet of Things' satellites at last second (video)
By Mike Wall published
Rocket Lab's Electron vehicle appeared to fire up briefly today (Sept. 18) before shutting down, resulting in a launch abort.
![A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches the Galileo L13 mission on Sept. 17, 2024.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gkPgSyJbkh4cbZp6jP3BMP-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX launches 2 European navigation satellites, lands rocket (video)
By Mike Wall last updated
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched two European navigation satellites tonight (Sept. 17) and then landed safely, acing its 22nd mission.
![White and black rocket launching into a blue sky with white clouds](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MbGsjYBxQsxSK2aYgwLKLM-320-80.jpg)
FAA plans to fine SpaceX $630,000 for alleged launch violations
By Mike Wall published
The FAA has proposed fining SpaceX more than $630,000 for allegedly failing to comply with regulations on two launches in 2023.
![four astronauts in white spacesuits smile and wave inside a cockpit](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jDbZSmwhqucobouAZKHege-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX's private Polaris Dawn astronauts splash down to end historic spacewalk mission (video)
By Mike Wall published
The four Polaris Dawn astronauts splashed down safely off the coast of Florida today (Sept. 15), bringing an end to their historic commercial mission.
![a woman in a white shirt and a man in a blue shirt stand inside a crowded space module](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eNaW8UkcKBGnouyqvBzHG9-320-80.jpg)
'We just ran out of time': Boeing Starliner astronauts on why their spaceship returned to Earth without them
By Mike Wall published
The decision to send Boeing's Starliner capsule home uncrewed from the ISS was driven in part by time constraints, according to NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore.
![four people in blue flight suits laugh and smile as they float in zero gravity](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TdzerWAq9vZadTj9HtmM5C-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX's private Polaris Dawn astronauts beam photos to Earth using Starlink satellites
By Mike Wall published
The private Polaris Dawn crew notched another milestone on Thursday (Sept. 12), beaming photos home using SpaceX's Starlink broadband satellites.
![drone's-eye view of a giant rocket launching from a seaside pad, generating a huge plume of dust and exhaust](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6p6ap7Y9tHiVDiwiFgExeC-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX's Starship won't be licensed to fly again until late November, FAA says
By Mike Wall published
SpaceX's Starship likely won't be able to fly again until late November at the earliest, because the FAA and partner agencies need more time for licensing reviews.
![A white and black rocket fires its engines while lauching from a pad at night](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QSex6QJpmJJ5hU7ZNkLJhk-320-80.png)
SpaceX launches 5 giant BlueBird smartphone satellites for AST SpaceMobile, lands rocket (video)
By Mike Wall published
AST SpaceMobile's first five giant commercial direct-to-cell satellites, huge spacecraft called BlueBirds, lifted off this morning (Sept. 12) atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
![illustration of an astronaut in a white spacesuit exiting the nose of a white capsule with earth in the background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/f4t2Yu9pK4YDiNtb6smajb-320-80.jpg)
Watch SpaceX Polaris Dawn astronauts conduct 1st private spacewalk early Sept. 12
By Mike Wall published
SpaceX's Polaris Dawn astronaut mission plans to conduct the first-ever private spacewalk early Thursday morning (Sept. 12), and you can watch the historic action live.
![closeup view of a white and gray spacecraft with the blackness of space behind it](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xtVtc2o9qNT3HTSKw3RwY6-320-80.jpg)
NASA astronaut, 2 cosmonauts arrive at ISS aboard Russian Soyuz capsule (video)
By Mike Wall published
A Russian Soyuz spacecraft delivered NASA astronaut Don Pettit and two cosmonauts to the International Space Station today (Sept. 11), just three hours after lifting off.
![a rocket lifts off at night above a bright plume of fire](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/V6Y2BXAjWwaoogaJdzQ4tb-320-80.jpg)
New record! 19 people are orbiting Earth right now
By Mike Wall published
Three people launched toward the ISS today (Sept. 11) aboard a Russian Soyuz capsule, bringing the total number of people in Earth orbit to 19 — a new record.
![four smiling people in black-and-white spacesuits sit in a space capsule](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DvFUnGMbGhTTZBVE894SNF-320-80.jpg)
Meet the NASA science flying on SpaceX's Polaris Dawn private astronaut mission
By Mike Wall published
SpaceX's historic Polaris Dawn private astronaut mission carried a variety of NASA experiments to orbit. Here's a quick look at the research and its goals.
![An illustration of a spacecraft above Europa, with a blue swirly Jupiter in the background.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tqd26fpXqWfuDVnqcdmFCj-320-80.jpg)
NASA's Europa Clipper probe to icy Jupiter moon takes big step toward its Oct. 10 launch
By Mike Wall published
NASA's Europa Clipper astrobiology probe passed a major technical review today (Sept. 9), keeping the highly anticipated mission on track for its planned Oct. 10 launch.
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