Tariq Malik
Tariq is the Editor-in-Chief of Space.com based out of our New York City office and joined the team in 2001, first as an intern and staff writer, and later as an editor. He covers human spaceflight, exploration and space science, as well as skywatching and entertainment. He became Space.com's Managing Editor in 2009 and Editor-in-Chief in 2019. In October 2022, Tariq received the Harry Kolcum Award for excellence in space reporting from the National Space Club Florida Committee.
Hailing from Stockton, California (where he attended the same high school as NASA astronaut Jose Hernandez), Tariq studied print journalism and astronomy at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, earning a bachelor's degree in journalism in 1999 along with a minor in astronomy. He then served as a staff reporter for The Los Angeles Times covering education and city beats in La Habra and Fullerton in Orange County for the Our Times sections.
In 2000, Tariq became the city reporter for the Huntington Beach Independent, a weekly publication of the Los Angeles Times, covering local politics and events, crime, business and environmental issues. He left the Los Angeles Times in 2001 to study science journalism at New York University, where he earned a master's degree in 2002 from NYU's Science and Environmental Reporting Program (now the Science, Health and Environmental Reporting Program) under the direction of space reporter William Burrows.
Tariq first joined Space.com as an intern in September 2001 while also serving as a research assistant for nutrition writer Gary Taubes and writing freelance projects, where his work appeared in The Scientist and Laboratory Equipment Magazine. He became a full-time reporter covering spaceflight in 2004, with this first launch being NASA's STS-114 Return to Flight mission in July 2005.
Tariq is also an Eagle Scout (yes, he has the Space Exploration merit badge) and went to Space Camp four times as a kid and a fifth time as an adult. When not writing about space, you can find Tariq watching the latest Star Trek TV series, sci-fi movies and reading about hippos, his favorite animal. You can find Tariq at Space.com and as the co-host to the This Week In Space podcast with space historian Rod Pyle on the TWiT network. To see his latest project, you can follow Tariq on Twitter @tariqjmalik.
Latest articles by Tariq Malik
NASA crashes DART spacecraft into asteroid in world's 1st planetary defense test
By Tariq Malik published
For the first time in history, a spacecraft from Earth has crashed into an asteroid to test a way to save our planet from extinction.
DART asteroid crash: What time will NASA probe hit Dimorphos on Sept. 26?
By Tariq Malik last updated
A NASA spacecraft will soon make history when it crashes into an asteroid in the world's first planetary defense test. Here's what time it will happen and how to watch.
Hubble telescope spots red, white and blue stars in sparkly cluster
By Tariq Malik last updated
The Hubble Space Telescope has captured a dazzling new view of a distant star cluster, one filled with stars that sparkle in red, white and blue.
This jaw-dropping Jupiter photo is a photographer's sharpest ever and made of 600,000 images
By Tariq Malik published
Veteran astrophotographer Andrew McCarthy of Arizona unveiled this spectacular photo of Jupiter this month on Sept. 17 after capturing his best view yet of the giant planet.
NASA's Artemis 1 moon rocket launch hinges on critical fueling test on Sept. 21
By Tariq Malik published
A fueling test of NASA's new megarocket on Sept. 21 could make or break the agency's hopes of launching the Artemis 1 moon mission on Sept. 27.
Congress wants transparency on Blue Origin launch failure investigation by FAA
By Tariq Malik published
The failure of a Blue Origin rocket during an uncrewed launch this month has members of Congress urging for more transparency of an FAA investigation into the accident.
SpaceX rocket launches BlueWalker 3, the largest commercial communications array ever, and aces record 14th landing
By Tariq Malik last updated
SpaceX launched a novel communications satellite into orbit late Saturday and set a new launch record for its Falcon 9 rocket.
NASA replaces leaky seals on Artemis 1 moon rocket, fueling test next
By Tariq Malik published
NASA engineers replaced leaky seals on two fuel lines for its Artemis 1 moon rocket, setting the stage for a critical fueling test.
Harvest Moon 2022: September's full moon thrills stargazers around the world (photos)
By Tariq Malik published
The full Harvest Moon of September lit up the night sky this weekend in a dazzling lunar sight enjoyed by skywatchers around the world.
NASA targets Sept. 23 for next Artemis 1 launch attempt, but a lot has to go right
By Tariq Malik published
NASA needs to fix a hydrogen leak, ace a fueling test and secure a critical safety system waiver to even try to launch this month.
Watch Star Trek Day 2022 from Paramount Plus for free on Sept. 8
By Tariq Malik published
Set phasers to livestream, Trek fans, because Star Trek Day 2022 is read to beam you in Sept. 8 and you can watch it live online for free.
Fuel leak on Artemis 1 moon rocket may take weeks to repair, NASA says
By Tariq Malik published
A fuel leak that thwarted NASA's second attempt to launch its new Artemis 1 moon rocket on Saturday (Sept. 3) will likely take weeks to fix, and may even force the megarocket off its launch pad.
Fuel leak delays NASA's Artemis 1 moon mission launch
By Tariq Malik published
A fuel leak forced NASA to call off its second attempt to launch the Artemis 1 moon mission on Saturday (Sept. 3).
Weather looks good for Artemis 1 moon rocket's 2nd launch try, NASA says
By Tariq Malik last updated
NASA says the weather is looking good for the second attempt to launch its giant Artemis 1 SLS moon rocket and Orion spacecraft.
NASA's Artemis 1 moon rocket going for 2nd launch try today
By Tariq Malik last updated
NASA is counting down for its second launch attempt of the Artemis 1 moon mission. The two-hour window opens today (Sept. 3) at 2:17 p.m. EDT (1817 GMT).
NASA battles fuel leak for Artemis 1 moon rocket launch
By Tariq Malik last updated
NASA engineers are working to stem a fuel leak on its massive new moon rocket ahead of a critical test flight on Saturday (Sept. 3).
'Zero hour' for Artemis 1: NASA's most powerful rocket to launch risky moon mission test flight
By Tariq Malik last updated
It's make or break time for NASA's new moon rocket as NASA is finally ready to launch its Artemis 1 moon rocket on Aug. 29.
These 3 companies will help NASA build vertical solar arrays for the moon
By Tariq Malik published
NASA has tapped three companies to help develop new solar array technologies for Artemis missions to the surface of the moon by astronauts and robots.
NASA calls off Artemis 1 moon rocket launch over engine cooling issue
By Tariq Malik last updated
An engine cooling issue on NASA's giant new rocket for deep-space exploration forced the agency to call off the booster's much-anticipated launch debut early Monday (Aug. 29).
NASA solves Voyager 1 data glitch mystery, but finds another
By Tariq Malik published
Voyager 1 is once again beaming back clear telemetry data on its status beyond our solar system, solving one mystery and leading to another.
VP Harris and NASA chief unconcerned by Artemis 1 launch delay
By Elizabeth Howell published
Vice President Kamala Harris highlighted the decades of work it took Artemis 1 to get this far, while NASA's Bill Nelson said the agency will address the issue that led to the scrub Monday (Aug. 29).
NASA begins fueling SLS rocket for Artemis 1 moon mission launch
By Tariq Malik published
NASA has begun tanking up its giant new SLS rocket for its debut launch to the moon, a highly anticipated mission called Artemis 1.