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
![The bottom of the Artemis 1 moon rocket with technicians working on its fuel lines](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ckfc8e5Bwq5FdPnUDdDVSf-320-80.jpg)
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.
![Blue Origin New Shepard capsule rockets away from booster in abort](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nEciQqKXW28Xc9zSAR4sNA-320-80.jpg)
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.
![A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches from Pad 39A at night](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WGw96sVyx7TXcZv48fajn9-320-80.jpg)
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.
![The bottom of the Artemis 1 moon rocket with technicians working on its fuel lines](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ckfc8e5Bwq5FdPnUDdDVSf-320-80.jpg)
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.
![Full Harvest Moon setting behind the Statue of Liberty through a telephoto lens](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Bd5n9idX3s7uHxNifM6mZK-320-80.jpg)
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.
![giant artemis 1 moon rocket on cloudy background at sunrise](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fyuAZPUuWFudCEnS5oBUtS-320-80.jpg)
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.
![Star Trek Day logo art on a starry background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/a5JXRbuwvbk7FiWhoEwJZC-320-80.jpg)
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.
![photograph of rocket on launch pad](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/J76c382EXCL44czkiBMhQb-320-80.jpg)
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.
![giant space launch system rocket on launch pad and cloudy sky](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rpabNsLX3rcF5uP5sL7Z8S-320-80.jpg)
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).
![NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard is seen atop the mobile launcher at Launch Pad 39B.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wn4bo8m9QLYThcgm3ctNzd-320-80.jpg)
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 mission is scheduled to launch on Sept. 3, 2022.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/m6hbxMXcYQu5oXViT3hAL4-320-80.jpeg)
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's Artemis 1 moon mission is scheduled to launch on Sept. 3, 2022.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/m6hbxMXcYQu5oXViT3hAL4-320-80.jpeg)
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).
![giant space launch system rocket on launch pad and blue sky](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Dj9kLBCwNayEmCVd3B5Crc-320-80.jpg)
'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.
![a vertical solar array on the moon with robot lander and rover](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2nBBYyL869RT5avxDDbi6i-320-80.jpg)
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.
![rocket under morning skies](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HLSb5BQnxck9LX6gtDk7qn-320-80.jpg)
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).
![artwork of voyager 1 spacecraft in black space background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Aevg5Lf897c5wagmjmsp8Z-320-80.jpg)
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.
![nasa administrator bill nelson in a suit shakes hands with vice president kamala harris in a pink blazer](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Lme5TM8fg3GrnestM2Ad7c-320-80.jpg)
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's Artemis 1 stack on the launch pad shortly before fueling of its huge Space Launch System rocket began in the early morning hours of Aug. 29, 2022.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mG5vrFoN8tCyTVBPE2xXWe-320-80.jpg)
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.
![nasa megarocket on launch pad with clouds behind](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gr33aeu3ZKJHxdnabSBXn3-320-80.jpg)
Weather looks good for Artemis 1 moon mission launch, NASA says
By Tariq Malik published
It looks like Mother Nature may cooperate for NASA's historic Artemis 1 megarocket moon launch on Aug. 29.
![photograph of rocket on launch pad](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/J76c382EXCL44czkiBMhQb-320-80.jpg)
Artemis 1 moon mission ready for epic test flight on SLS megarocket, NASA says
By Tariq Malik published
NASA's new SLS megarocket is ready to launch on the historic Artemis 1 moon mission on Monday (Aug. 29).
![nasa space launch system giant rocket on launch pad with clouds in background sky](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mq57FViVrFhBWZUt8kqZgV-320-80.jpg)
NASA's begins countdown for Artemis 1 moon mission launch
By Tariq Malik published
The countdown is ready to begin for NASA's Artemis 1 moon mission with the SLS megarocket and Orion spacecraft.
![NASA's Artemis 1 Space Launch System on the launch pad with lightning towers nearby and a blue sky.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ajp2pYRZFAZ7mAbT7L3YoE-320-80.jpg)
NASA's Artemis 1 moon mission is 'go' for Aug. 29 launch
By Tariq Malik last updated
NASA has cleared its Artemis 1 mission to launch an uncrewed test flight around the moon on Aug. 29.
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