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
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.
NASA's Artemis 2 moon mission: Live updates
By Tariq Malik last updated
NASA's Artemis 2 mission is returning astronauts to the moon for the first time since 1972. See live mission updates here.
NASA will update us all on its Artemis moon landing program on Dec. 5. Here's how to watch live.
By Tariq Malik published
NASA is about to speak out about its plan to return astronauts to the moon, and you'll be able to watch it live on Thursday (Dec. 5).
The last Cyber Monday 2024 deals you can buy: Telescope deals, binocular discounts, camera deals after Black Friday week
By Jase Parnell-Brookes last updated
Deals We've scoured the net for the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals on space-related gear, from telescopes to cameras and more.
I wish I waited to buy my Lego NASA Space Shuttle Discovery until this Black Friday so I could save $40
By Tariq Malik published
Deals This amazing Lego Space Shuttle Discovery set is 20% off with a free Lego Insiders membership, and you can get a free gift while supplies last, too!
Content funding on Space.com
By Tariq Malik published
How we fund the content that you read on Space.com.
SpaceX Starship launches: Flight 6 mission updates
By Tariq Malik last updated
Read the latest news about SpaceX's Starship megarocket test flights, launches, photos and more.
What time is SpaceX's Starship Flight 6 launch test today?
By Tariq Malik last updated
SpaceX is gearing up to launch its next Starship test flight, a mission that will attempt a second catch of the world's largest rocket on Nov. 19. Here's when to watch Starship Flight 6.
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.
Last supermoon of 2024 wows skywatchers around the world with Full Beaver Moon (photos)
By Tariq Malik published
The final supermoon of 2024, the Beaver Moon of November, thrilled skywatchers around the world as it ushered in the weekend with a stunning night sky sight.
The best (and worst) Mars landings of all time
By Space.com Staff, Tariq Malik last updated
Not every mission to Mars has been successful.
NASA's Europa Clipper mission to Jupiter: Mission updates
By Tariq Malik last updated
See the latest updates for the launch of NASA's Europa Clipper to Jupiter's icy moon here.
What time will SpaceX launch NASA's Europa Clipper to icy Jupiter moon today (and how to watch online)?
By Tariq Malik last updated
NASA's first mission to another ocean world in our solar system will launch toward Jupiter today (Oct. 14), but if you want to watch it live, you'll need to know when to tune in.
What time is SpaceX's Starship Flight 5 launch test today (and how to watch online)?
By Tariq Malik last updated
SpaceX will launch its fifth Starship launch test, called Starship Flight 5, in what will be an audacious attempt to capture the giant rocket's booster at its launch site on Sunday, Oct. 13.
NASA delays Europa Clipper launch to Jupiter to Oct. 14 amid post-hurricane checks
By Tariq Malik published
NASA has postponed the launch of its next flagship mission to Jupiter by at least another day due to the impact of Hurricane Milton at its Florida launch site.
Solar storm bombarding Earth now may reach 'extreme' levels, sparking auroras down to Alabama and straining hurricane-weakened power grids
By Tariq Malik published
A severe solar storm sparked by an intense flare from the sun could reach "extreme" levels as it bombards Earth, NOAA officials warned Thursday (Oct. 10).
SpaceX, NASA 'go' for 1st astronaut launch to ISS from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station pad
By Tariq Malik published
NASA and SpaceX cleared their Crew-9 astronaut flight to the International Space Station for launch, a Sept. 28 liftoff that will help return two Boeing Starliner astronauts home.
Satellites reveal Hurricane Helene's deadly fury as a monster Category 4 storm during landfall (videos)
By Tariq Malik published
Hurricane Helene slammed into Florida's Gulf Coast overnight Thursday (Sept. 26) with satellites capturing striking views of a colossal storm.
Watch Hurricane Helene approach Florida in this NASA video from the ISS
By Tariq Malik published
NASA is streaming video views of Hurricane Helene today (as it approaches the U.S. Gulf Coast and you can watch it online.
SpaceX Polaris Dawn private spacewalk mission: Live updates
By Tariq Malik last updated
Find out the latest about SpaceX's private Polaris Dawn spacewalk mission for billionaire Jared Isaacman.
What time does SpaceX's Polaris Dawn private spacewalk mission launch?
By Tariq Malik last updated
The Polaris Dawn mission is currently scheduled to launch on Tuesday, Sept. 10. Liftoff is scheduled for 3:38 a.m. EDT (0738 GMT) from Florida's Cape Canaveral.
Boeing Starliner 1st astronaut flight: Mission updates
By Tariq Malik last updated
Boeing moving toward a June 1 launch of its first-ever Starliner astronaut mission for NASA.
Used SpaceX rocket launches 7,001st Starlink satellite (and 20 others), lands at sea (video)
By Tariq Malik published
A SpaceX rocket carrying the 7,001st Starlink internet satellite launched into orbit from Florida today (Sept. 5), then aced its landing at sea.
Watch 2 SpaceX rockets launch new Starlink fleet and secret US spy satellite in space doubleheader today (Sept. 5)
By Tariq Malik last updated
SpaceX will launch a new batch of its Starlink satellites into orbit on Thursday (Sept. 5) and you'll be able to watch it live online.
SpaceX launches back-to-back Falcon 9 rockets within 65 minutes and aces 2 landings days after a failed booster touchdown (video)
By Tariq Malik published
SpaceX launched two Falcon 9 rockets in just over an hour early Saturday (Aug. 31) and nailed back-to-back booster landings just days after a recent failure.
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