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Tariq Malik

SPACE.COM EDITOR IN CHIEF — Tariq joined the Space.com team in 2001 as a staff writer, and later editor, covering human spaceflight, exploration and space science. He became Space.com's Managing Editor in 2009. Before joining Space.com, Tariq was a staff reporter for The Los Angeles Times. He 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. He has journalism degrees from the University of Southern California and New York University. To see his latest project, you can follow Tariq on Google+, Twitter and on Facebook.

Articles by: Tariq Malik

Virgin Orbit's Cosmic Girl carries a LauncherOne booster in a captive-carry flight on April 12, 2020. The company plans to launch its first test flight in May 2020.

Sensor glitch delays Virgin Orbit's 1st launch of new LauncherOne rocket

By Tariq Malik

Virgin Orbit called off the planned debut launch of its new LauncherOne rocket Sunday (May 24) due to a sensor issue on the air-launched booster.

Astronauts Bob Behnken (right) and Doug Hurley walk out of their Astronaut Crew Quarters to take a Tesla Model X to NASA's Launch Pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 23, 2020 during a dress rehearsal of their SpaceX Crew Dragon Demo-2 launch.

Astronauts perform one last dress rehearsal for big SpaceX launch next week

By Tariq Malik

Two NASA astronauts climbed inside their SpaceX spaceship today (May 23) for one last rehearsal ahead of a historic launch into orbit next week.

SpaceX's first Crew Dragon spacecraft for the Demo-2 test fight with astronauts is seen before being mated to its Falcon 9 rocket.

NASA review of Space's 1st launch to carry astronauts goes into overtime

By Tariq Malik

President Donald Trump speaks with NASA astronauts Christina Koch and Jessica Meir from the White House on Oct. 18, 2019 as the astronauts performed the first all-woman spacewalk in history at the International Space Station.

Trump may watch SpaceX's 1st astronaut launch for NASA in person

By Tariq Malik

President Donald Trump may watch SpaceX's first astronaut launch for NASA in person on May 27.

A Mitsubishi Heavy Industries H-IIB rocket launches the final HTV cargo ship to the International Space Station from Tanegashima Space Center at 2:31 a.m. JST on May 21, 2020 (1:31 p.m. EDT/1731 GMT on May 20).

Japanese HTV cargo ship, the last of its kind, launches to International Space Station

By Tariq Malik

An unpiloted Japanese cargo ship, the last of its kind, launched toward the International Space Station today (May 20), kicking off a final voyage for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

A Mitsubishi Heavy Industries H-IIB rocket carrying the HTV-9 cargo ship stands ready to launch at the Tanegashima Space Center in Japan. The mission will deliver cargo to the International Space Station.

Japan will launch its last HTV cargo ship to the space station today. Here's how to watch live.

By Tariq Malik

Japan will launch its final HTV cargo ship HTV-9 today, May 20, at 1:31 p.m. EDT (1731 GMT) and you can watch it live. Here's how.

"EVE Echoes," a mobile MMO spin-off of "EVE Online," is coming in August 2020.

The 'EVE Online' mobile MMO spin-off 'EVE Echoes' is launching in August

By Tariq Malik

"EVE Online," the expansive multiplayer space sandbox game on PC, is about to get a mobile MMO version in "EVE Echoes."

The European Space Agency is joining Kerbal Space Program in the free Shared Horizons expansion launching July 1, 2020.

'Kerbal Space Program' teams up with European Space Agency for 'Shared Horizons' expansion

By Tariq Malik

The European Space Agency is joining the "Kerbal Space Program" in a free "Shared Horizons" expansion launching July 1.

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the X-37B space plane for the U.S. Space Force's OTV-6/USSF-7 mission stands atop a rainy launch pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Base, Florida on May 16, 2020.

Space Force launch of X-37B space plane delayed by bad weather

By Tariq Malik

The secret mission is now set for Sunday, May 17.

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying an X-37B space plane stands atop Space Launch Complex 41 of Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on May 14, 2020 during launch preparations for the USSF-7 mission.

Space Force to launch X-37B space plane on secret mission today. Here's how to watch live.

By Tariq Malik

The Space Force will launch a robotic X-37B space plane on a new secret mission for the U.S. military on Saturday (May 16) and you can watch it live online.

The mission profile for SpaceX's Demo-2 Crew Dragon mission to the International Space Station launching astronauts on May 27, 2020.

NASA and 'Kerbal Space Program' challenge gamers to recreate historic SpaceX launch to space station

By Tariq Malik

NASA and the makers of "Kerbal Space Program 2" are looking for gamers with the right stuff to recreate SpaceX's Demo-2 Crew Dragon mission.

This still from a United Launch Alliance video shows how the U.S. Space Force's X-37B space plane will launch into orbit on a Centaur upper stage in May 2020.

Watch how the Space Force will launch an X-37B space plane on a secret mission Saturday

By Tariq Malik

The U.S. Space Force is counting down to the planned launch of an X-37B space plane on a secret mission on Saturday (May 16), and a new video reveals just how it will reach orbit.

The Intelsat 901 communications satellite in orbit during a satellite servicing mission by Northrop Grumman's Mission Extension Vehicle 1. Intelsat filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on May 13, 2020.

Satellite operator Intelsat files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

By Tariq Malik

Satellite operator Intelsat, which launched the world's first communications satellite in 1965, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to ease some debt and join an FCC spectrum clearing program.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, seen here ahead of the Iridium-8 launch in 2019, will launch a fifth flight on May 17, 2020 to deliver 60 Starlink internet satellites into orbit.

SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket aces test-fire for next Starlink launch

By Tariq Malik

SpaceX successfully test-fired a Falcon 9 rocket in Florida today (May 13), setting the stage for a predawn launch of a a new fleet of Starlink internet satellites this weekend.

"Stellaris," a space strategy game from Paradox Interactive, celebrates its fourth anniversary in May 2020.

The space game 'Stellaris' is free to play on Steam this week for its 4th anniversary

By Tariq Malik

The expansive space sandbox game "Stellaris" just hit its fourth anniversary this week and to celebrate, the game's makers Paradox Interactive have made it free on Steam through May 17.

The four RS-25 rocket engines of NASA's Space Launch System rocket take center stage in this photo. NASA has ordered 18 new engines for its Artemis moon program.

NASA orders 18 more engines for its Space Launch System megarocket

By Tariq Malik

NASA has ordered 18 more rocket engines for its new Space Launch System megarocket for future Artemis moon missions.

The Cygnus NG-13 cargo ship, an uncrewed freighter built by Northrop Grumman, departs the International Space Station on May 11, 2020.

Cygnus cargo ship leaves space station for free-flying fire mission

By Tariq Malik

A robotic Cygnus cargo ship cast off from the International Space Station on Monday (May 11) to begin a brief, new life as a fire lab in orbit.

An artist's illustration of China's next-generation space capsule for astronauts in orbit.

China's next-generation space capsule aces orbital maneuvers during test flight

By Tariq Malik

China's next-generation spacecraft for astronauts has aced a series of maneuvers in orbit two days into its maiden voyage.

A still from the U.S. Space Force's first promotional video released on May 6, 2020.

The US Space Force is recruiting (and has a snazzy promo video just for you)

By Tariq Malik

In a new recruitment video unveiled today (May 6), the Space Force makes its case for a military life among the stars.

A scene from "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker."

Disney Plus drops epic 'Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga' trailer for May the Fourth

By Tariq Malik

"Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" arrives on Disney Plus for Star Wars Day today (May 4), putting all nine films from the Skywalker saga in one place for fans and yes, there is a trailer.

This NASA graphic shows the path of asteroid 2020 JA, a newfound bus-sized space rock that will fly safely by Earth at a distance of 148,000 miles on May 3, 2020.

A small asteroid the size of a bus will fly safely by Earth today

By Tariq Malik

A newly discovered asteroid about the size of a bus will zip safely by Earth today (May 3), passing at a distance just over halfway to the moon.

'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' is coming to Disney Plus early for May the Fourth

By Tariq Malik

Rejoice, "Star Wars" fans, the wait is over. "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" lands on Disney Plus on May 4.

The FDA has approved this VITAL ventilator for coronavirus disease patients designed and built by engineers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.

FDA approves new NASA ventilator for COVID-19 treatment

By Tariq Malik

A new ventilator developed by NASA to treat victims of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has received emergency approval from the FDA.

A screenshot from a successful satellite mission in "Mars Horizon" from The Irregular Corporation and Auroch Digital.

'Mars Horizon' beta lets you command your own space agency, but act fast

By Tariq Malik

"Mars Horizon," a space agency simulator game by Auroch Digital, launched a free beta this week to let you command your own space agency.

This NASA graphic shows the orbit of the newfound asteroid 2020 HS7, which passed safely by Earth on April 28, 2020.

Small asteroid zips safely by Earth just ahead of a larger space rock's flyby

By Tariq Malik

An asteroid about the size of a car gave Earth a close shave Tuesday (April 28), just ahead of a flyby of another big space rock, according to NASA officials.