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.
Biography:
https://www.space.com/author/mike-wall
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The Daily's Verdict
This author is known for its high journalistic standards. The author strives to maintain neutrality and transparency in its reporting, and avoids conflicts of interest. The author has a reputation for accuracy and rarely gets contradicted on major discrepancies in its reporting.
Bias
100%
Examples:
- 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.
Conflicts of Interest
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Examples:
- Before becoming a science writer, Michael worked as a herpetologist and wildlife biologist.
- Michael Wall has a Ph.D. in evolutionary biology from the University of Sydney, Australia.
Contradictions
88%
Examples:
- Boeing's Starliner mission with NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams is delayed until at least June 22, 2024.
- SpaceX launched 20 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California on June 18, 2024.
- The number and status of RCS thrusters with issues are inconsistent among articles.
- The number of helium leaks detected in the article is different from other articles.
- The size and risk assessment of one helium leak is different among articles.
Deceptions
100%
Examples:
- Boeing's Starliner capsule arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) on June 6, 2024 despite five of Starliner’s reaction-control thrusters malfunctioning during docking attempt.
- ]SpaceX launched its Starship megarocket for the fourth time ever on June 6, 2024[
Recent Articles
SpaceX's Starship: Fifth Test Flight Approaches with Challenges and Milestones
Broke On: Friday, 26 July 2024SpaceX prepares for Starship Flight 5, aiming to make both stages reusable with a static fire test and potential booster landing. Challenges include FAA approval and heat shield tile loss during reentry. Elon Musk predicts late August or early September launch. 
SpaceX's Double Launch: Successful Return to Flight with 44 Starlink Satellites and Falcon 9 Reusability
Broke On: Sunday, 28 July 2024SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, launched two batches of Starlink satellites on July 28, 2024 from Florida and California using Falcon 9 rockets. Despite a pressure sensor issue causing an in-flight failure on July 11, both launches were successful with first stages landing at sea. The company expanded its satellite broadband network by adding 44 Starlink satellites to orbit and plans to remove the faulty sensor for future missions. SpaceX's Falcon 9 Rocket Failure: Cracked Sense Line Causes Ten Starlink Satellites to Re-enter Earth's Atmosphere
Broke On: Thursday, 11 July 2024During the second stage engine burn of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying twenty Starlink satellites on July 11, 2024, a crack in a sense line for a pressure sensor caused an oxygen leak and excessive cooling, leading to engine damage and loss of ten satellites. The FAA investigation identified fatigue from engine vibration and clamp looseness as the cause. SpaceX has taken immediate action by removing the faulty components and implementing preventative measures. 
The Next 25 Years of Space Exploration: To the Moon, Mars and Beyond - A Look at Future Discoveries and Advancements in Space Travel
Broke On: Monday, 15 July 2024Space.com marks its 25th anniversary by exploring future space milestones with experts in a virtual panel. Discoveries of exoplanets, private sector growth, and advancements in satellite technology are shaping the next 25 years of space exploration towards the Moon, Mars, and beyond. NASA's Europa Clipper Mission Faces Challenges from Radiation-Vulnerable Transistors
Broke On: Thursday, 11 July 2024NASA's Europa Clipper mission, a $5 billion space exploration project set to launch in October, faces potential challenges due to the vulnerability of some transistors to radiation in Jupiter's environment. The issue could impact the probe's ability to assess Europa for signs of life and may delay or limit its objectives. 
SpaceX's Falcon 9 Suffers Unusual Malfunction, 20 Starlink Satellites Deployed into Lower Orbit
Broke On: Thursday, 11 July 2024SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket, with over 350 successful launches since 2010, experienced an unexpected malfunction during a second-stage booster burn on July 11, resulting in the deployment of Starlink satellites into a lower than intended orbit. Preliminary findings suggest high atmospheric drag caused the electric propulsion system to fail. SpaceX and FAA are investigating while Falcon 9 is grounded indefinitely. 
SpaceX's Falcon 9 Rocket Experiences Unusual Failure During Starlink Launch, Impacting Plans for Upcoming Missions
Broke On: Friday, 12 July 2024SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket experienced its first major in-flight failure on July 12, 2024, during the launch of twenty Starlink satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base. The uncrewed rocket carried satellites with new 'direct to cell' capabilities; however, due to the failure during the second stage, they were deployed into a lower than intended orbit. The exact cause of the issue is unknown, and it may impact plans for upcoming commercial flights and NASA's plans for a fresh crew to the International Space Station. 
SpaceX's Starship Aims for Fifth Test Flight and Booster Landing in Four Weeks
Broke On: Sunday, 07 July 2024SpaceX's Starship is gearing up for its fifth test flight in four weeks, with Elon Musk aiming for a Super Heavy booster pinpoint landing on Starbase using 'chopstick' arms. The rocket, consisting of reusable parts Super Heavy and Starship, has undergone successful tests and improvements like an enhanced heat shield. SpaceX targets faster inspections, refurbishments, and relaunches with this development. NASA's Mars Simulation Mission: Four Volunteers Prepare to Exit CHAPEA After 378 Days
Broke On: Sunday, 07 July 2024Four NASA volunteers, including Kelly Haston, Anca Selariu, Ross Brockwell and Nathan Jones, conclude their 378-day stay in a Mars simulation habitat at the Johnson Space Center. They grew vegetables for sustenance and experienced communication delays and isolation. Their experiences will inform planning for future crewed missions to Mars in the late 2030s or early 2040s. The quartet's exit from the habitat will be livestreamed on NASA TV on July 7, 2024. 
SpaceX's Next Leap: Catching the Super Heavy Booster with Mechazilla's Chopstick Arms
Broke On: Monday, 01 July 2024SpaceX aims to catch the Super Heavy booster with Mechazilla's chopstick arms during Starship test flights in late July 2024, marking a significant step forward in reusable rocket technology and paving the way for future space exploration missions. The fifth test flight plans to separate the two stages successfully, with Mechazilla's mechanical arms providing better control during catching. Sources: Space.com, Ynetnews, Cleantechpower, Arstechnica.
