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
Solar eclipse of October 2022: When, where and how to see it on Oct. 25
By Tariq Malik published
On Tuesday, Oct. 25, the moon will pass in front of the sun in the last solar eclipse of 2022. Here's everything you need to know.
Shuttle Astronauts Make Midnight Docking at Space Station
By Tariq Malik last updated
Space shuttle Endeavour made a midnight docking at the International Space Station Wednesday to deliver NASA's last big room and windows for the high-flying laboratory.
Elon Musk says SpaceX will keep paying for Starlink satellite internet service in Ukraine
By Tariq Malik published
Billionaire Elon Musk said SpaceX will keep funding Starlink internet service in Ukraine, backtracking from a previous push to ask the Pentagon to foot the bill.
Save up to 50% to stream your sci-fi with these Fire TV Cube and Fire TV Stick deals for October Prime Day
By Tariq Malik last updated
Deal If you're looking for a device to bring all your streaming channels together, Amazon has its Fire TV and Fire TV Sticks on sale for up to 50% off right now.
SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket aborts double-satellite launch at last minute
By Tariq Malik published
A veteran SpaceX rocket poised to make its 14th flight aborted its launch attempt less than one minute before liftoff on Thursday (Oct. 6).
Unpredictable Draconid Meteor Shower Peaks Tonight
By Tariq Malik last updated
The Draconid meteor shower is created by dust left behind by the comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner.
SpaceX delays launch of Starlink satellites to make way for Crew-5 astronaut flight
By Tariq Malik last updated
SpaceX has delayed the liftoff of its next Starlink satellite batch in order to launch four Crew-5 astronauts for NASA on Oct. 5.
Hurricane Ian regains strength, heads toward South Carolina as NASA's Florida spaceport recovers
By Tariq Malik last updated
Hurricane Ian regained strength as it barreled toward South Carolina on Friday (Sept. 30) after passing over NASA's Kennedy Space center spaceport in Florida a day earlier.
VP Kamala Harris: Artemis 1 moon mission a 'test of pure innovation'
By Tariq Malik last updated
NASA's Artemis moon program is the next giant leap for America's space program, one all Americans should be proud of, Vice President Kamala Harris said this week.
'Extremely dangerous' Hurricane Ian makes landfall in Florida as NASA watches from space (video)
By Tariq Malik published
Hurricane Ian made landfall on the Gulf Coast of Florida as a dangerous Category 4 storm, which NASA watched live from orbit as it reached the U.S. mainland.
Hurricane Ian approaching Florida as powerful Category 3 storm, satellite images show
By Tariq Malik published
Hurricane Ian battered Cuba and turned toward the west coast of Florida on Tuesday (Sept. 26) as satellites track the harrowing storm from space.
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.
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