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
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 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.
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.
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'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 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.
Photographers capture 'ridiculously detailed image' of the moon for NASA's Artemis 1 launch
By Tariq Malik last updated
Two astrophotographers have captured a spectacular photo of the moon with a mind-blowing resolution of 174 megapixels to honor NASA's Artemis 1 mission.
SpaceX Dragon cargo ship returns to Earth from space station
By Tariq Malik published
A SpaceX Dragon cargo ship returned to Earth with an ocean splashdown on Saturday (Aug. 20).
Celebrate NASA's Voyager missions at 45 with this free webcast tonight
By Tariq Malik published
The Voyager missions are icons of cosmic exploration, and you can celebrate their 45th anniversary with a free webcast tonight (Aug. 18).
NASA tests prototype electric astronaut van for Artemis moon missions
By Tariq Malik last updated
NASA photos show the agency's all-electric "Crew Transportation Vehicle" to drive Artemis astronauts to the launch pad.
Watch NASA Artemis 1 moon mission radiation science briefing today
By Tariq Malik published
NASA has one more Artemis 1 news conference today as the agency looks toward launch.
Saturn is at opposition. See it shine at its best for 2022 in a free webcast tonight.
By Tariq Malik published
The ringed planet Saturn is often hailed as the jewel of the solar system and you have a chance to see why in a free webcast tonight.
Perseid meteor shower of 2022 thrills stargazers despite bright moon (photos)
By Tariq Malik last updated
Stargazers around the world captured some dazzling views of the Perseid meteor shower as it peaked overnight Friday and Saturday (Aug. 12-13)
Northrop Grumman picks Firefly to replace Russian engines on Antares rocket
By Tariq Malik published
Northrop Grumman's Antares rocket is about to get an all-American upgrade with the help of Firefly Aerospace.
Scientist admits 'space telescope' photo is actually chorizo in tasty Twitter prank
By Tariq Malik published
A physicist's stunning new photo of Proxima Centauri from the James Webb Space Telescope, was just a slice of chorizo.
You can watch 4 different rocket launches in free webcasts today
By Tariq Malik last updated
If you're a fan of spaceflight, then Thursday will be a banner day with no less than four different rockets launching missions off planet Earth.
NASA will preview its Artemis 1 moon mission today. Here's how to watch for free.
By Tariq Malik published
NASA is weeks away from launching its first Artemis flight to the moon and you can learn all about it in free webcasts this week.
Watch the full moon dance over one year in stunning time-lapse video by photographer
By Tariq Malik published
A new time-lapse video from astrophotographer Andrew McCarthy shows the moon's dance, or libration, over a year of full moons.
See China's huge uncontrolled rocket debris fall from space in fiery skywatcher videos
By Tariq Malik published
A huge Chinese rocket fell back to Earth this weekend in a dazzling (if fiery) display as it broke apart during reentry as it plunged from space over the Indian Ocean.
Advertise with us
By Tariq Malik last updated
Interested in partnering with LiveScience or Space.com? Get in touch with us.
The worst solar storms in history
By Tariq Malik published
Reference Earth is no stranger to the sun's wrath. From solar flares to coronal mass ejections, we take a look at some of the worst solar storms in history.
Watch NASA's CAPSTONE cubesat launch to the moon today to test unique lunar orbit
By Tariq Malik last updated
Rocket Lab will launch NASA's CAPSTONE cubesat to the moon from New Zealand atop an Electron booster, and you can watch it live online.
NASA's CAPSTONE cubesat launch to the moon delayed again for systems checks
By Tariq Malik published
NASA has called off plans to launch a small cubesat to the moon on Monday (June 27) to allow more time to check its Rocket Lab booster for flight.
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