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
![Lego Avengers Tower](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YNUDgDmoM3wPBbCLVeFfP9-320-80.jpg)
This huge Lego Marvels Avengers Tower comes with free gifts for Black Friday
By Tariq Malik published
Deals The arrival of Black Friday marks the launch of Lego's huge Marvel Avengers Tower set, and if you grab it this weekend, you'll score some free gifts for your brick buy.
![A Lego version of the Marvel Avengers Tower from the movies and comic books](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Z79YbcCptBoTkAMVxvRzsi-320-80.jpg)
Lego extends early Black Friday deals for for Insiders ahead of epic Marvel Avengers Tower set launch
By Tariq Malik last updated
Deals Lego has raised the bar for Black Friday deals with a ton of offers Lego Insiders rolling out with one of the biggest Lego sets I've ever seen: the Marvel Avengers Tower.
![SpaceX's Starship rocket launches from Starbase during its second test flight in Boca Chica, Texas, on November 18, 2023.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GXHx9VtU6LkocdEVyB6gcF-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX's 2nd Starship launch test looks amazing in these stunning photos and videos
By Tariq Malik published
SpaceX's second Starship test flight on Nov. 18 may have met an explosive end, but photos of the launch were absolutely amazing.
![A sleek SpaceX Starship on its booster and launch pad.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/upGNLwcSWXVzuExeUETZSD-320-80.jpg)
What time is SpaceX's 2nd Starship and Super Heavy launch today (Nov. 18)?
By Tariq Malik last updated
SpaceX has a two-hour window to launch the Starship SN25 spacecraft and Super Heavy rocket on Nov. 18, starting at 8 a.m. EST (1300 GMT).
![Image shows the contents of the Starfield Constellation Edition game. This includes a digital game download, a black steelbook display case with minimal gray markings, a chunky round Starfield Chronomark watch, a watchcase that is a white, rectangular box with a logo on the front, and a logo Constellation Patch (both logos are round, dark blue with white stars and a yellow, orange, and red strip at the bottom).](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5rZeDgGvZzbwzYF3YRWiSD-320-80.jpg)
I've been a space reporter for 22 years and think Starfield's Constellation Edition is an epic Apollo-era treat (video)
By Tariq Malik published
With its clear NASA-inspired touches and real-world versions of game devices, Starfield's Constellation Edition is a must-have for space gamers.
![A silver SpaceX Starship atop its booster on the launch pad at Starbase in South Texas](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/STVHe4JSwxzKUZDYyeM8rc-320-80.png)
SpaceX says its 2nd Starship test flight could launch on Nov. 17 (video)
By Tariq Malik published
SpaceX says its next Starship launch could occur as early as Nov. 17, pending regulatory approval from the Federal Aviation Administration and other agencies.
![the moon blocks the sun in a ring of fire solar eclipse](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/o9gEzRU2aH74viZYjVutbR-320-80.jpg)
The annular solar eclipse of 2023 is underway! See the 1st 'ring of fire' photos and video
By Tariq Malik published
The first images of the moon passing between the sun and the Earth in a so-called "ring of fire" solar eclipse visible are coming in and the views are amazing.
![The sample return capsule from NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission is seen shortly after touching down in the desert, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, at the Department of Defense's Utah Test and Training Range.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6CA5AGuYuZ8NVsji5BSPrF-320-80.jpg)
NASA's OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample return to Earth: Live updates
By Tariq Malik last updated
NASA's OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample-return mission will return pieces of asteroid Bennu to Earth on Sept. 24, 2023. Follow the historic landing live here.
![a cone-shaped capsule flies through space just above Earth's atmosphere](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jY7PnGkXfvaCiG89kgE59k-320-80.jpg)
NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft releases asteroid sample capsule toward Earth in flyby, heads to Apophis
By Tariq Malik published
The first asteroid samples ever collected by NASA are closing in on Earth for a historic landing in Utah today (Sept. 24).
![four astronauts in white and gray spacesuits floating in four different directions with their heads pointed to center](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ezA426YDruagHJaNyt6Ne9-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX, NASA delay Crew-6 Dragon astronauts' return to Earth due to bad weather
By Tariq Malik published
SpaceX and NASA say the Crew Dragon capsule carrying four Crew-6 astronauts will now depart the International Space Station no earlier than Sept. 3, a 24-hour delay.
![Eleven astronauts in different color uniforms gather on a space station, two float upside down.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fAUK9AvBd7NrqUgjprNqdb-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX Crew-7 Dragon capsule docks at space station with international astronaut team (video)
By Tariq Malik last updated
A SpaceX Dragon capsule docked at the International Space Station Sunday (Aug. 27) with a new astronaut crew to begin a half-year mission.
![a close up of the body of a spacecraft wrapped in gold foil in space](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/k5uc6dwg9PpVDmb2EWYCim-320-80.jpg)
Russia says its Luna-25 lunar lander has crashed into the moon
By Elizabeth Howell published
Luna-25, which Russia had hoped would land at the south pole of the moon, crashed into the moon on Aug. 19 after an orbital maneuver went wrong.
![People in blue lab coats working on Boeing's blue and white Starliner spacecraft](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/q5uvnhhuCrGLzgM2bUeuWN-320-80.jpg)
Boeing delays 1st Starliner astronaut launch for NASA indefinitely over parachute, wiring safety issues
By Tariq Malik published
Boeing is standing down from the first-ever crewed launch of its Starliner capsule for NASA due to safety issues with the spacecraft's parachutes and wiring.
![Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity during a free flight in Earth's atmosphere on April 26, 2023.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rec5He3j4UvYfLwTwqRiPb-320-80.png)
What time is Virgin Galactic's Unity 25 spaceflight on May 25?
By Tariq Malik published
Virgin Galactic has 9-hour window for its SpaceShipTwo Unity 25 launch to suborbital space on May 25.
![a white rocket on a launch pad under a blue sky](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7kyUKpcRvBHGB7TZeXFPTg-320-80.jpg)
What time is the SpaceX Ax-2 private astronaut launch for Axiom Space?
By Tariq Malik last updated
SpaceX is launching the second all-private mission to the International Space Station today (May 21) and if you're hoping to follow it online, you need to know when it actually lifts off.
![the sun rising behind Axiom Space's SpaceX Dragon capsule](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mctDVicDpU7Ey9MZspoQE3-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX rocket 'go' to launch four private astronauts on Ax-2, a mission filled with 1sts, today
By Brett Tingley last updated
Axiom Space is ready to launch its second-ever private mission to the International Space Station.
![The Axiom Space Ax-2 private astronaut crew smiles in their Dragon capsule](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dAVwCBS84joDK4aQgz5j3h-320-80.jpg)
Watch SpaceX's Ax-2 private astronaut mission dock at ISS in this free livestream on May 22
By Tariq Malik published
SpaceX's next private spaceflight will launch four astronauts to the International Space Station on Sunday (May 21) and you can watch the mission live online in a series of free webcasts.
![NASA's Christina Hammock Koch, flanked by fellow Artemis 2 astronauts Victor Glover of NASA (left) and Jeremy Hansen of the Canadian Space Agency, delivers remarks on May 17, 2023, during a reception at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4jpMkMsNMnfAjNUYb6g5P5-320-80.jpg)
'Do what scares you:' 3 tips to succeed from Artemis 2 moon astronaut Christina Koch
By Tariq Malik published
Astronaut Christina Koch is no stranger to hard work, or success. Here are 3 tips the NASA Artemis 2 mission specialists has for kids hoping to walk on Mars one day.
![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.