Tariq Malik

Tariq Malik

Editor-in-Chief

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. In June 2025, the National Space Society awarded him the Space Pioneer Award for Excellence in Mass Media at the International Space Development Conference in Orlando, Florida.

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

SpaceX's Crew Dragon was a pristine white when it left the International Space Station on March 8, 2019. Now it's a "toasted marshmallow."

SpaceX's Crew Dragon Looks Just Like a Toasted Marshmallow After Fiery Re-Entry

By Tariq Malik published

SpaceX's first Crew Dragon looks like a toasted marshmallow after its fiery re-entry Friday (March 8).

Human Spaceflight
The Hubble Space Telescope gets an upgrade from NASA astronauts John Grunsfeld and Steven during the STS-103 servicing mission to the observatory in December 1999. There have been 5 manned missions to repair and upgrade Hubble.

The Hubble Space Telescope Has a New Camera Glitch

By Tariq Malik published

One of Hubble's most prolific cameras has gone dark.

Hubble Space Telescope
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Trump Hails SpaceX Crew Dragon Launch, Says NASA's 'Rocking Again'

By Tariq Malik published

President Donald Trump is hailing SpaceX's Crew Dragon launch success.

Human Spaceflight
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk (right) and NASA chief Jim Bridenstine celebrate the successful first launch of a Crew Dragon spacecraft at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida on March 2, 2019.

Elon Musk Was Emotionally Wrecked by SpaceX's 1st Crew Dragon Launch Success — But In A Good Way

By Tariq Malik published

Elon Musk was "emotionally exhausted" by the launch.

Human Spaceflight
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SpaceX Is Launching a Historic Crew Dragon Test Flight for NASA Tonight! Watch It Live

By Tariq Malik published

SpaceX's first Crew Dragon launches March 2!

Human Spaceflight
SpaceX's first Crew Dragon spacecraft and its Falcon 9 rocket roll out Launch Pad 39A of NASA's Kennedy Space Center on Feb. 28, 2019 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Launch is set for March 2.

It's Just About 'Go' Time for SpaceX's 1st Crew Dragon Spaceship

By Tariq Malik published

SpaceX's first Crew Dragon spacecraft is poised for an historic test flight Saturday (March 2) from NASA's Kennedy Space Center here atop a Falcon 9 rocket. Liftoff is at 2:48 a.m. EST (0748 GMT).

Human Spaceflight
An artist's illustration of SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket launching from Pad 39A of NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

SpaceX Will Launch Its 1st Crew Dragon for NASA Soon! How to Watch It All Live.

By Tariq Malik published

On March 2, SpaceX is poised to make history with the first-ever test flight of a private spaceship built to carry astronauts into orbit. Here's how to watch it all live.

Human Spaceflight
SpaceX's first Crew Dragon spacecraft and its Falcon 9 rocket on Launch Pad 39A of NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Weather Looks Good for SpaceX's 1st Crew Dragon Test Flight

By Tariq Malik published

SpaceX is counting down to the March 2 launch of its first-ever Crew Dragon spacecraft and the weather forecast is 80-percent "go," NASA officials say.

Human Spaceflight
SpaceIL's Beresheet lunar lander, which launched to Earth orbit on Feb. 21, performed its first in-space maneuver on Feb. 24. The lander is scheduled to reach lunar orbit on April 4 and touch down a week later.

Israeli Lunar Lander Suffers Glitch on Way to the Moon

By Tariq Malik published

SpaceIL's Beresheet, Israel's private lunar lander, has hit a snag on route to the moon.

The moon
A Russian Soyuz rocket launches the Expedition 33/34 crew to the International Space Station on Oct. 23, 2012.

Russia Says It Will Launch 2 Tourists Into Orbit for Space Adventures in 2021

By Tariq Malik published

Roscosmos has inked a deal with the U.S. space tourism company Space Adventures to fly two paying passengers to the International Space Station in 2021.

Human Spaceflight
SpaceX's first Crew Dragon spacecraft is seen atop its Falcon 9 rocket at Launch Complex 39A of NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

NASA and SpaceX Discuss Launch Plans for 1st Crew Dragon Spaceship Today

By Tariq Malik published

NASA and SpaceX are meeting today (Feb. 22) to review plans to launch the first Crew Dragon spaceship built for astronauts on March 2. Here's how to follow their meeting.

Human Spaceflight
An artist's illustration of NASA's Orion space capsule's Ascent Abort-2 test launch.

NASA Sets Launch Date for Orion Spacecraft Abort System Test

By Tariq Malik published

NASA will test the launch abort system of its new crewed Orion capsule on June 12.

Launches & Spacecraft
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine details the agency's plans to land astronauts on the moon by 2028 to space industry teams.

This Is NASA's Plan to Land Astronauts on the Moon in 2028 with Commercial Vehicles

By Tariq Malik published

NASA is looking to commercial space companies to build the landers, space tugs and refueling station required to make moon exploration effort that lasts.

The moon
NASA's Mars rover Opportunity is taking a close look at the strange flat-faced rock near the center of this view, captured on March 3, 2015.

Postcards from Mars: The Amazing Photos of Opportunity and Spirit Rovers

By Tariq Malik published

Spirit and Opportunity, the Mars rovers, have done groundbreaking science on the surface of the Red Planet. Take a look at some of their latest Mars photos.

Mars Rovers
Space.com logo.

Welcome to Space.com: We've Got a New Look!

By Tariq Malik published

As Space.com gears up for the 50th anniversary of NASA's historic Apollo 11 moon landing (and our own 20th birthday!), we've got a new look!

Astronomy
Mars will shine near the crescent moon in the western night sky on Feb. 10, 2019.

You Can See Mars Near the Moon Tonight! Here's Where to Look.

By Tariq Malik published

Mars and the crescent moon will team up in a delightful celestial sight tonight (Feb. 10) and NASA has some tips to help you spot the Red Planet in the night sky.

Stargazing
"The Lego Movie 2" launches construction worker Emmet (Chris Pratt) into space where he finds a ship crewed by dinosaur raptors.

'The Lego Movie 2' Is an Intergalactic Romp Across the Final Frontier

By Tariq Malik published

"The Lego Movie 2" is a intergalactic adventure in space with a message of play.

Space Movies & Shows
Wreaths honor the memories of those lost in the pursuit of space exploration at NASA Headquarters in Washington D.C. for the agency's Day of Remembrance on Feb. 7, 2019.

Trump Honors Sacrifice of Apollo 1, Challenger and Columbia Astronauts

By Tariq Malik published

President Donald Trump on Thursday (Feb. 7) honored the service and sacrifice of astronauts who gave their lives in the pursuit of space exploration during NASA's annual Day of Remembrance.

Apollo
NASA InSight Briefing Materials - December 7, 2018

NASA's InSight Mars Lander: Full Coverage

By Tariq Malik published

NASA's InSight Mars lander will touch down on the Red Planet

Mars
This still from a SpaceX video shows the view of the Demo-1 Crew Dragon capsule (center) from the company's crew access arm at Launch Pad 39A of NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The arm allows access to SpaceX Crew Dragon ships atop

SpaceX Video Shows Off Crew Dragon Access Arm for Astronauts

By Tariq Malik published

A new video from SpaceX, unveiled via Twitter Friday (Jan. 25), offers a glimpse of what NASA astronauts will see when they board a Crew Dragon spacecraft.

Human Spaceflight
A Chinese Long March 11 rocket carrying two Jilin-1 Earth-imaging satellites and two test satellites launches into orbit from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on Jan. 22, 2019.

ICYMI: China Has Launched 2 Rockets So Far This Year, Placing 5 Satellites in Orbit

By Tariq Malik published

The China National Space Administration has launched two rockets so far in 2019, placing five satellites in orbit for a variety of uses.

Satellites
SpaceX test fired the first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket carrying its first Crew Dragon spacecraft on Jan. 24, 2019 at Launch Pad 39A of NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The rocket is scheduled to launch the Demo-1 test flight in Fe

SpaceX Test Fires Rocket for 1st Crew Dragon Launch in February

By Tariq Malik published

SpaceX has fired up the rocket that will launch its first Dragon spacecraft built for astronauts ahead of an uncrewed test flight next month.

Human Spaceflight
A United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket carrying the classified NROL-71 spy satellite for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office launches toward space from Space Launch Complex-6 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California on Jan. 19, 2019.

Launch Photos: Spy Satellite NROL-71 Soars on Secret Mission Atop Delta IV Heavy Rocket

By Tariq Malik published

Satellites
This image from NASA's InSight Mars lander, taken on Jan. 7, 2019, shows the SEIS seismograph instrument deployed on the Martian surface to measure Marsquakes.

NASA's InSight Lander on Mars Is Now Hunting for Marsquakes

By Tariq Malik published

NASA's InSight Mars lander is officially hunting for quakes on the Red Planet.

Mars
SpaceX's first Crew Dragon spacecraft and its Falcon 9 rocket stand atop Launch Pad 39A of NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida during tests ahead of its first demonstration flight, which will now lift off no earlier than February 2019.

SpaceX, NASA Push 1st Crew Dragon Test Flight to February

By Tariq Malik published

The first uncrewed test flight of SpaceX's new Dragon spacecraft for astronauts will now launch no earlier than February, NASA officials said today (Jan. 10).

Human Spaceflight
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