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.

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

A Boeing Starliner is stacked atop its Atlas V rocket ahead of its first astronaut flight for NASA at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

Boeing Starliner 1st astronaut flight: Live updates

By Elizabeth Howell, Tariq Malik published

Boeing will launch its first-ever Starliner astronaut mission for NASA as early as May 6, 2024

Launches & Spacecraft
The moon phases are third quarter on April 1, new moon on April 8, first quarter on April 15 and full moon on April 23.

What is the moon phase today? Lunar phases 2024

By Tariq Malik last updated

Reference See what moon phase it is tonight and find out when you can see the rest of the moon phases for 2024.

Reference
Two girls and a man observe the total solar eclipse of April 8, 2024 with eclipse glasses

The 2024 solar eclipse was a teachable moment in more ways than one

By Tariq Malik published

The total solar eclipse of 2024 was an epic experience to share with my daughter. It was one part celestial event, one part college prep.

Eclipses
A girl poses inside a dorm room at SUNY Potsdam in New York.

Chasing the 2024 solar eclipse means dorm life for some New York spectators (including me)

By Tariq Malik published

I really thought I left dorm life behind 20 years ago. But just when I thought I was out, the 2024 total solar eclipse pulled me back in.

Eclipses
Two women observe the sun with solar eclipse glasses at SUNY Potsdam university.

I'm driving 6 hours through New York's Adirondacks to see the 2024 total solar eclipse from Potsdam. Here's why.

By Tariq Malik published

The first total solar eclipse I saw in 2017 was a work event. For the 2024 total solar eclipse, I'm bringing my kid.

Eclipses
Full moon above orange and pink hued storm clouds

Full moon calendar 2024: When to see the next full moon

By Tariq Malik last updated

Reference The full moon happens about once a month. Find out when.

Reference
A view of Pluto with its Big Planet Energy campaign for Pluto TV.

Pluto TV will rally to make Pluto a planet again on April 1 (it's no joke)

By Tariq Malik published

Pluto may have lost its status as a full-fledged planet in 2006, but that doesn't mean it's a joke of a world this April Fools' Day and the folks behind Pluto TV want to make that clear.

Pluto
A Soyuz rocket carrying three astronauts is seen on the launch pad with the crew waving farewell in an inset.

Russian Soyuz rocket suffers rare last-minute abort during launch of 3 astronauts to ISS (video)

By Tariq Malik published

A Russian Soyuz rocket carrying three astronauts bound for the International Space Station experienced a rare abort on the launch pad on Thursday (March 21).

Launches & Spacecraft
a large black and silver rocket vents vapor at night while standing upright on a launch pad

What time is SpaceX's 3rd Starship launch test on today?

By Tariq Malik last updated

SpaceX plans to launch its first Starship test of 2024 as early as Thursday (March 14) in what it hopes will be a historic orbital flight of the world's biggest rocket. Here's when it may fly.

Launches & Spacecraft
A towering Starship Flight 3 rocket and Super Heavy booster atop the launch pad at night in a fueling test

SpaceX fuels up massive Starship megarocket in test for 3rd launch (photos)

By Tariq Malik published

SpaceX's next Starship to fly has successfully passed a critical fueling test ahead of the company's much anticipated Starship Flight 3 test launch this month.

Launches & Spacecraft
Four Crew-8 astronauts in white SpaceX spacesuits with their arms together for ahead of launch.

What time is the SpaceX Crew-8 astronaut launch for NASA today?

By Tariq Malik last updated

SpaceX will launch its first NASA astronaut flight of 2024 and you can watch it live online, but you'll need to know when.

Launches & Spacecraft
A black and white rocket stands on its launch pad with a purple twilight sky in the background

SpaceX delays Crew-8 astronaut launch for NASA due to high winds, next try on March 3

By Tariq Malik published

SpaceX delayed its Crew-8 astronaut launch for NASA to no earlier than Sunday, March 3, due to unacceptable ascent winds on Saturday night (March 2).

Launches & Spacecraft
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches 22 Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Feb. 29, 2024.

SpaceX launches Leap Day Starlink satellites into orbit, lands rocket at sea (video)

By Tariq Malik last updated

SpaceX launched 23 Starlink satellites from Florida on Leap Day (Feb. 29) after postponing a Crew-8 astronaut launch for NASA.

Launches & Spacecraft
A white and black SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stands on its launch pad ahead of launch.

SpaceX delays Crew-8 astronaut launch for NASA to March 2 due to bad weather

By Tariq Malik published

SpaceX's first astronaut launch of 2024 will lift off nearly 48 hours later than planned due to weather concerns, NASA says.

Launches & Spacecraft
A white SpaceX Endeavour Dragon capsule is mated to its Falcon 9 rocket with NASA logos on white backgrounds.

SpaceX, NASA 'go' to launch Crew-8 astronaut mission to ISS on March 2

By Tariq Malik published

SpaceX and NASA are officially go to launch their next astronaut mission to International Space Station on March 2.

Launches & Spacecraft
A private Intuitive Machines spacecraft approaches the moon.

What time will Intuitive Machines' private Odysseus probe land on the moon today?

By Tariq Malik last updated

Intuitive Machines will land its private Odysseus IM-1 lander on the moon on Feb. 22. Here's when and how to watch.

The moon
A NASA line map of the path of asteroid 2024 DW between Earth and the moon's orbit on Feb. 22, 2024.

An asteroid the size of a bus will fly near Earth on Feb. 22 — but don't worry (video)

By Tariq Malik published

A newfound asteroid the size of a bus will zoom close by Earth on Thursday (Feb. 22), but it shouldn't pose a threat to our planet.

Asteroids
Four astronauts in white launch spacesuits giving thumbs' up signs.

SpaceX and NASA say Crew-8 astronauts won't launch to ISS until March 1 after private moonshot

By Tariq Malik published

SpaceX and NASA postponed the launch of their joint Crew-8 mission to the ISS to no earlier than March 1 due to the recent IM-1 private moon lander launch.

Human Spaceflight
Intuitive Machines moon lander Im-1 sits between its SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket fairing ahead of launch

How to watch SpaceX launch the private Intuitive Machines moon lander IM-1 on Feb. 15 live online

By Tariq Malik last updated

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a new private lunar lander to the moon for the company Intuitive Machines and NASA this week, and you can watch it live online in a series of free webcasts.

Launches & Spacecraft
A white and black SpaceX rocket with the Intuitive Machines IM-1 moon lander aboard on the launch pad with a crescent moon overhead.

What time is SpaceX's IM-1 private moon lander launch for Intuitive Machines on Feb. 15?

By Tariq Malik last updated

SpaceX will launch a privately built lunar lander to the moon for the company Intuitive Machines on Feb. 15, and if you want to know where and when it will lift off, we've got you covered.

Launches & Spacecraft
A white and black rocket on the launch pad with the crescent moon in the night sky

SpaceX delays launch of private Intuitive Machines moon lander due to methane fuel issue

By Tariq Malik published

SpaceX postponed the launch of a private moon lander built by Intuitive Machines late Tuesday (Feb. 13) due to a fuel temperature issue on the spacecraft.

Launches & Spacecraft
A white and black rocket on the launch pad with the crescent moon in the night sky

Valentine's Day 2024 means 3 rocket launches, a SpaceX doubleheader and a moon probe for space lovers

By Tariq Malik published

With up to three rocket launches possible on Feb. 14, including at least two by SpaceX, Valentine's Day 2024 is shaping up to be a space lover's dream.

Launches & Spacecraft
two astronauts floating in a module. one holds a football. flags are behind them

It's good! Space station astronauts talk football - and Taylor Swift - for Super Bowl 2024 (video)

By Tariq Malik last updated

Two NASA are gearing up for the big showdown between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers by tossing the old pigskin around the International Space Station.

International Space Station
A small Mars helicopter sits on Mars with an inset of damaged rotor

Watch NASA celebrate (and mourn) its Mars helicopter Ingenuity in this free livestream

By Tariq Malik published

NASA will hold a free livestream today (Jan. 31) today to honor the achievements and legacy of Ingenuity, which ended its mission last week after suffering rotor damage.

Mars Rovers
A black and white spacecraft on a white rocket at its launch pad with an access arm

What time is the SpaceX Ax-3 astronaut launch for Axiom Space? How to watch it live today

By Tariq Malik last updated

SpaceX will launch the private Ax-3 mission for Axiom Space on Jan. 18 to send four astronauts to the International Space Station for two weeks. Here's when and how to watch.

Launches & Spacecraft
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