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
![SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch aborted about 1 minute prior to launch on April 28, 2023.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wCbEaXJcbkzMUiaGmQGbiX-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket aborts triple satellite launch at last minute
By Tariq Malik published
A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket carrying three satellites aborted an attempted launch at the last minute late Friday (April 28).
![SpaceX Starship streaks through the sky on its 1st test flight on April 20, 2023.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BFVNKagE2NDyYNZbEuDxYA-320-80.jpg)
Watching SpaceX's Starship launch as the world's largest rocket felt simply unreal (video)
By Tariq Malik published
Here's what it was like to see (and hear) SpaceX's Starship, the biggest and most powerful rocket ever built, lift off for the first time.
![SpaceX Starship soars through the sky on its first orbital test flight, which ended in an explosive "rapid unscheduled disassembly."](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/weqbpMbXVRdhAirLEzXwz8-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX's 1st Starship launches on epic test flight, explodes in 'rapid unscheduled disassembly'
By Mike Wall, Tariq Malik published
SpaceX launched its gigantic Starship rocket toward space for the first time ever today (April 20), a milestone that could presage humanity's expansion out into the solar system.
![a spacex starship at sunrise](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RDgzTTUnsSPCHwSt8Ev5xn-320-80.jpg)
How to watch SpaceX's 1st Starship space launch live online today (April 20)
By Tariq Malik last updated
When SpaceX attempts to launch its Starship, the world's biggest rocket, for the first time on April 20, the world will be watching and you can, too.
![SpaceX's Starship SN24 and Super Heavy booster stand atop their launch pad at Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas ahead of an April 2023 test flight.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gCHqeKKXV36xtURGmzNY4h-320-80.jpg)
What time is SpaceX's 1st Starship and Super Heavy launch today (April 20)?
By Tariq Malik last updated
SpaceX is counting down to its first ever launch of the world's biggest rocket, its towering Starship vehicle, on April 20, but exactly when the rocket will fly depends on several factors.
![artist impression of a spacecraft on phobos with mars in the background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/AsSRj5A7d73jMJ8gMi8TTT-320-80.jpg)
NASA joins Japan's mission to collect the 1st samples of Mars moon Phobos
By Tariq Malik published
NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency signed a deal on April 17 to cooperate on a mission to collect samples of the Mars moon Phobos launching in 2024.
![Artistic depiction of NASA astronauts at the lunar south pole carrying out early work to establish an Artemis Base Camp.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gHvjmC5EthYrxK6UfPS4vg-320-80.jpg)
NASA may build more than one moon base for Artemis lunar missions
By Tariq Malik published
NASA may not build just one Artemis Base Camp for future lunar astronauts but rather a distributed series of lunar outposts for science and exploration.
![The Russian Soyuz MS-22 space capsule descends under its main parachute as it lands on the steppes of Kazakhstan on March 28, 2023.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FPE7Ekgm5fKitPELW8u3t8-320-80.jpg)
Leaky Soyuz spacecraft at space station returns to Earth in speedy landing
By Tariq Malik last updated
A Soyuz space capsule that suffered a major coolant leak in December departed the International Space Station without a crew early Tuesday (March 28)
![Relativity Space's first Terran 1 rocket is fueled for flight during its second launch attempt at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on March 11, 2023.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/b2Z63mDUi8ekNyaLrC2HmA-320-80.jpg)
Relativity Space aborts launch of Terran 1, the world's first 3D-printed rocket, twice in 1 day
By Tariq Malik published
An attempt by startup Relativity Space to launch the world's first 3D-printed rocket was cut short by two aborts in one day on Saturday (March 11).
![Relativity Space's first Terran 1 rocket is fueled for flight during its first launch attempt at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on March 8, 2023.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/aSSPUPw7n2BGn5JXmtPvEN-320-80.jpg)
Relativity Space scrubs debut launch attempt of world's 1st 3D-printed rocket after abort
By Tariq Malik published
The space startup Relativity Space called off the first-ever flight of its new 3D-printed rocket on Wednesday (March 8) after a last-minute abort and temperature issues during the countdown.
![A large asteroid flying safely by Earth.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/U9uy76ptK47shGkdndgSVA-320-80.jpg)
4 big asteroids are flying by Earth this week, but don't worry. They aren't getting too close.
By Tariq Malik published
A quartet of large asteroids are zooming by Earth this week, but they'll all pass our planet with millions of miles to spare, according to NASA.
![A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Crew-6 Crew Dragon Endeavour spacecraft rolls to Launch Pad 39A of NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral Florida for a Feb. 27, 2023 launch.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2et4Y4tJR27DvLoFYeFgoT-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX rolls out rocket for NASA's Crew-6 astronaut launch (photos)
By Tariq Malik published
SpaceX's rocket ride for its next NASA astronaut launch from Florida is on the pad and ready for flight.
![A Kerbal spaceship orbits Mars in Kerbal Space Program 2.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/m2pp8Brq47vfwiDNUEfxrM-320-80.jpg)
Kerbal Space Program 2 makes it easier than ever to launch — and crash — rockets (exclusive 1st look video)
By Tariq Malik published
Kerbal Space Program 2 launches in Early Access on Feb. 24 and is easier to use, with interstellar space exploration and more to come. Here's our first hands-on look.
![The Russian Progress 82 cargo ship after undocking from the International Space Station on Feb. 17, 2023.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/A9ygBLTcY2dfhbJpMx6MtC-320-80.jpg)
Russian Progress cargo ship departs space station despite coolant leak
By Tariq Malik published
A robotic Russian cargo ship stricken by a coolant leak undocked from the International Space Station late Friday (Feb.17) while cosmonauts snapped photos of it looking for signs of damage.
![An X2.2-class solar flare erupts from the sun on Feb. 17, 2023.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/is8MkZwHGKupweMgu2MnH8-320-80.jpg)
Sun unleashes massive X2-class solar flare during geomagnetic storm watch (video)
By Tariq Malik published
A massive solar flare erupted from the sun on Friday (Feb. 17) as the Earth was under a geomagnetic storm watch from flares earlier in the week.
![Space.com's New Logo](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gu9kwKxyosV4QuLip5mtSd-320-80.jpg)
About Space.com: Who we are and how to contact us
By Tariq Malik last updated
Space.com is the premier source of space exploration, innovation and astronomy news, chronicling (and celebrating) humanity's ongoing expansion across the final frontier. Meet our team.
![An X1.1-class solar flare erupts from the sun on Feb. 11, 2023.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uqRSZnQLgaPw8Mx7csKQsX-320-80.jpg)
The sun just erupted with a major X-class solar flare. Here's what it looked like on video.
By Tariq Malik published
A major solar flare erupted from the erupted from the sun on Saturday (Feb. 11) and a NASA spacecraft caught it on video.
![Rocket Lab's Electron booster launches three HawkEye 360 satellites into orbit from its Launch Complex 2 at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility on Jan. 24, 2023.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TUwgz63sKW3mj4HaHuCSfW-320-80.jpg)
I drove 10 hours to watch a 9-minute Rocket Lab launch from Virginia and it was glorious
By Tariq Malik published
It's not every day you watch a rocket streak into space over Virginia's Eastern Shore, acing its first-ever liftoff from American soil.
![A Rocket Lab Electron rocket launches three satellites at night for the company HawkEye 360 on Jan. 24, 2023 from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/SnUcpXqUVmEtdBwRcmZ2vg-320-80.jpg)
Rocket Lab launches 1st Electron booster from US soil in twilight liftoff
By Tariq Malik published
The small satellite launch company Rocket Lab aced its debut liftoff from American soil on Tuesday (Jan. 24).
![The first Vulcan Centaur rocket booster arrives at Cape Canaveral, Florida on Jan. 22, 2022 ahead of a planned debut launch.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VP8Kda7oWh4zMVzkcpYX9B-320-80.jpg)
United Launch Alliance's 1st Vulcan Centaur rocket arrives in Florida for debut flight
By Tariq Malik published
The first of a new generation of United Launch Alliance rockets has arrived at its Florida spaceport to prepare for a debut flight.
![Google doodle of a sylized rabbit with the Google logo for Lunar Year 2023.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Pi8vwbDi4Prevdwm8dkk4o-320-80.jpg)
Google celebrates Lunar New Year 2023 with Year of the Rabbit doodle
By Tariq Malik published
A new lunar new year is hopping off to a great start and Google is marking the occasion with a series of Google doodles.
![Miss USA R'Bonney Gabriel wears a NASA-inspired moon costume in the Miss Universe 2023 National Costume Show on Jan. 12, 2023 in New Orleans.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LgqgtpsHDo8wmafgF2qpRY-320-80.jpg)
Miss USA R'Bonney Gabriel celebrates NASA moon landing in Miss Universe 2023 national costume contest
By Tariq Malik published
When Miss USA R'Bonney Gabriel took the stage in the Miss Universe 2023 National Costume Show this week, she wore the moon, literally.
![Green comet in a sea of stars](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zMctSoRtc845LCcroDaPY5-320-80.jpg)
A dazzling green comet not seen since the Stone Age has stargazers thrilled in these amazing photos
By Tariq Malik published
The brilliant green comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) has captivated astrophotographers and may even become visible to the unaided eye soon.
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