![Mike Wall](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ko9uBeoLfpGrWgq3eDjap3.jpg)
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 SpaceX rocket launches at night from launch pad](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rbCgrGgSxpMrpdpdeivCeH-320-80.png)
SpaceX launches 22 Starlink satellites from California to kick off Sunday rocket doubleheader
By Mike Wall last updated
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched early Sunday morning (Jan. 14), sending 22 Starlink satellites to orbit.
![A diagram of a private moon lander's trip to tlunar distance and the location of the moon at](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rjcDJMXS4iYvKcbad4CWmK-320-80.jpg)
Hobbled Peregrine moon lander limps to lunar distance as Astrobotic fights to keep it alive
By Mike Wall published
Astrobotic's Peregrine lander has made it out to lunar distance, a major milestone for the crippled craft — but a moon landing still doesn't seem to be in the cards.
![a white spacex dragon capsule is seen inside a large hangar near a door that opens onto darkness.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wd8YJNLKafSFhcf34MQqnZ-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX Dragon capsule arrives at pad for Ax-3 astronaut launch (photos)
By Mike Wall published
The SpaceX Dragon capsule that will fly the private Ax-3 astronaut mission to the International Space Station has arrived at its launch pad ahead of its planned Jan. 17 liftoff.
![photo showing the silvery insulation of a spacecraft and the blackness of space in the background, with a possible sliver of earth in the upper right corner.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/g8ryaWkwWHnAMzqSPsorYV-320-80.jpg)
Fuel leak on ailing private Peregrine moon lander is slowing, Astrobotic says
By Mike Wall published
The propellant leak that has crippled Astrobotic's Peregrine moon lander continues to slow, allowing the company to squeeze more science and engineering data out of the craft.
![a white, black and orange rocket lifts off a seaside launch pad, creating a large plume of white exhaust.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8QK2vgZpp5rgjMtocmAaBU-320-80.jpg)
Japan's 1st launch of 2024 sends spy satellite to orbit (photos)
By Mike Wall published
Japan launched a reconnaissance satellite called IGS Optical 8 to orbit Thursday night (Jan. 11) in the nation's first mission of the new year.
![The Gravity-1 launch vehicle, the world's largest solid launch vehicle by capacity, launches from a ship in the Yellow Sea near Haiyang, in Yantai, Shandong Province, China, on Jan. 11, 2024](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/C3iEyKR4KbbxNDydTd32p4-320-80.jpg)
China's record-breaking Gravity-1 rocket aces amazing debut launch from ship at sea (video)
By Mike Wall published
The Gravity-1 solid rocket, built by Chinese company Orienspace, aced its first-ever launch today (Jan. 11), sending three satellites to orbit.
![A rocket launch carves an orange arc into a dark night sky in this long-exposure photo.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/s9mheCccUpbkQX5wMtDQ3J-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX's new direct-to-cell Starlink satellites relay their 1st text messages
By Mike Wall published
SpaceX just broke in its newly launched direct-to-cell Starlink satellites, using them to send text messages for the first time.
![photo showing the silvery insulation of a spacecraft and the blackness of space in the background, with a possible sliver of earth in the upper right corner.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/g8ryaWkwWHnAMzqSPsorYV-320-80.jpg)
Doomed Peregrine moon lander snaps another selfie as it zooms away from Earth (photo)
By Mike Wall published
Astrobotic's Peregrine moon lander snapped another in-space selfie as it cruised away from Earth, toward a date with lunar destiny that it can no longer keep.
![a silver spacecraft sits in a large white-walled room.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Mqh9HZMC8QCgAcm8QQhede-320-80.jpg)
Stuck valve may have doomed private Peregrine moon lander mission, Astrobotic says
By Mike Wall published
A stuck valve may be to blame for the problems plaguing Astrobotic's private Peregrine moon lander, according to the company.
![photo taken by a spacecraft showing some of its metallic silver insulation, which the blackness of space in the background.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6gDm6YSaF6wesa5RZarr9T-320-80.jpg)
Private Peregrine moon lander won't make lunar landing due to uncontrollable fuel leak
By Mike Wall published
A propellant leak will keep Astrobotic's Peregrine lander from touching down on the moon, but the mission team is working to extend the probe's life as long as possible.
![photo showing a spacecraft's shiny silver insulation, with the blackness of space in the background.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6gDm6YSaF6wesa5RZarr9T-320-80.jpg)
1st photo from crippled private Peregrine moon lander holds clue to anomaly
By Mike Wall published
The photo shows a disturbance in some of Peregrine's insulation, which is consistent with a problem in the moon lander's propulsion system.
![a white rocket launches into a black night sky.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/anGYMaNGyHDYx2Q6VTo6nR-320-80.jpg)
Private Peregrine moon lander suffers 'critical' fuel loss after launch, mission at risk
By Mike Wall published
Astrobotic's Peregrine lander suffered a problem with its propulsion system today (Jan. 8) that will apparently prevent it from journeying to the moon.
![United Launch Alliance's (ULA) Vulcan Centaur rocket lifted off from Florida's Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Monday at 2:18 a.m. EST (0718 GMT).](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gV8mLkU3efqJ2dV46Zwct7-320-80.jpg)
Watch ULA's Vulcan rocket launch private Peregrine moon lander on debut mission early Jan. 8 (Updated)
By Mike Wall last updated
ULA's new Vulcan Centaur rocket will launch for the first time early on Jan. 8, sending the private Peregrine lander toward the moon, and you can watch it live.
![A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying 23 Starlink satellites launches from Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KBfv6ogCsTE8xDNQkgZw23-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX launches 23 Starlink satellites from Florida (video)
By Mike Wall last updated
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 5:35 p.m. EST (2235 GMT) on Sunday (Jan. 7), sending 23 Starlink satellites to orbit.
![a red and white rocket rolls toward a launch pad, with trees and the ocean in the distance.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yKjLFnhdiLyJSjKVVXPqHk-320-80.jpg)
Vulcan Centaur rocket is 'go' for historic Jan. 8 launch of private Peregrine moon lander
By Mike Wall published
ULA's new Vulcan Centaur rocket has been cleared to launch for the first time on Jan. 8, a mission that will send the private Peregrine lander toward the moon.
![a red and white rocket stands on a launch pad with the ocean in the background.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/j3cqvJHbAAqV6kMeb3WyiM-320-80.jpg)
Vulcan Centaur rocket arrives at pad ahead of debut launch (photos)
By Mike Wall published
ULA's new Vulcan Centaur rocket has arrived at the launch pad ahead of its debut mission, which will send a private lander toward the moon on Monday (Jan. 8).
![An illustration of the VIPER moon rover (looking like a silvery box with wheels) on the moon.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rNTpSnSARUKJHSfVcP66DN-320-80.jpg)
Send your name to the moon aboard NASA's ice-hunting VIPER rover
By Mike Wall published
NASA is inviting you to put your name aboard its VIPER moon rover, which is scheduled to launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket later this year.
![A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches the Ovzon 3 satellite on Jan. 3, 2024.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/EztKkkJrHiPReTmWUMM5VP-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX launches Swedish internet satellite to orbit (video)
By Mike Wall published
SpaceX launched a Swedish broadband satellite tonight (Jan. 3) on the company's second mission of 2024.
![black-and-white photo of a small drone's shadow on sandy, pebble-studded ground.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zdxTRwwFkpLjHPfTtcEmUm-320-80.jpg)
NASA's Ingenuity Mars helicopter sets new distance record on the Red Planet
By Mike Wall published
NASA's Ingenuity Mars helicopter flew farther than it ever has before on Dec. 20, covering 2,315 feet (705 meters) of Red Planet ground.
![a massive rocket lifts off above a plume of fire](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jSDNrwkqQJ6wPhMYtiKcHB-320-80.jpg)
Starship, Starlink and more: SpaceX poised for huge 2024
By Mike Wall published
SpaceX smashed its own record last year, launching 96 missions to orbit. But 2024 will be even busier, if things go according to plan.
![a rocket lifts off into the night sky](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MUd6sQ73QqG5sANdVWFhNX-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX launches 1st batch of 'direct to cell' Starlink satellites (video)
By Mike Wall last updated
SpaceX launched 21 more of its Starlink internet satellites, including the first six 'direct to cell' craft, on Tuesday (Jan. 2).
![A white rocket with three boosters launching at night](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PoCgYB3iuempJazxNpwqt7-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket launches mysterious X-37B space plane for US Space Force after delays
By Mike Wall published
A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket launched the U.S. Space Force's X-37B space plane to orbit tonight (Dec. 28), kicking off the robotic vehicle's seventh mission.
![a roughly cube-shaped spacecraft covered in solar panels descends to the surface of the moon](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/E6bm6JHy7uB5vfnhPb7Uak-320-80.jpg)
Japan's SLIM 'moon sniper' lander arrives in lunar orbit for Christmas
By Mike Wall published
Japan's robotic SLIM spacecraft arrived in lunar orbit today (Dec. 24) ahead of a historic moon touchdown attempt that's scheduled for Jan. 19.