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 Tariq's latest project, you can follow Tariq on Twitter @tariqjmalik.
93%
The Daily's Verdict
This author is known for its high journalistic standards. The author strives to maintain neutrality and transparency in its reporting, and avoids conflicts of interest. The author has a reputation for accuracy and rarely gets contradicted on major discrepancies in its reporting.
Bias
95%
Examples:
- Tariq consistently presents factual and unbiased information in his articles.
Conflicts of Interest
100%
Examples:
- There are no instances of conflict of interest detected in Tariq's articles.
Contradictions
85%
Examples:
- .
- . .
Deceptions
85%
Examples:
- .
- . .
Recent Articles
The Next 25 Years of Space Exploration: To the Moon, Mars and Beyond - A Look at Future Discoveries and Advancements in Space Travel
Broke On: Monday, 15 July 2024Space.com marks its 25th anniversary by exploring future space milestones with experts in a virtual panel. Discoveries of exoplanets, private sector growth, and advancements in satellite technology are shaping the next 25 years of space exploration towards the Moon, Mars, and beyond. 
NASA's Error: Distress Signal from ISS Training Simulation Sparks False Alarm
Broke On: Thursday, 13 June 2024On June 12, 2024, a distress audio clip from an astronaut training session accidentally broadcasted on NASA's YouTube channel. The clip described an astronaut suffering from decompression sickness and potential need for emergency evacuation. However, NASA confirmed it was a simulation and all ISS crew members were safe. The incident occurred before scheduled spacewalk, emphasizing the importance of rigorous training simulations. NASA's Unintended Live Broadcast of a Simulated Space Emergency
Broke On: Thursday, 13 June 2024On June 12, 2024, a NASA simulation training exercise mistakenly went live on their official livestream, causing millions to believe there was an emergency aboard the International Space Station. The audio discussed decompression sickness affecting an astronaut commander and the need for immediate medical attention. However, NASA clarified that it was just a simulation and no actual emergency existed. SpaceX's Double Victory: Falcon 9 Launch Adds 22 Satellites and Starship Flight 4 Marks Controlled Reentry
Broke On: Wednesday, 05 June 2024SpaceX made history with two major milestones in June: launching 22 satellites for Starlink 10-1 mission and achieving the first controlled return of Starship Flight 4 from space, bringing optimism for fully reusable rockets. 
NASA's Starliner Spacecraft Docks at ISS Despite Malfunctioning Thrusters
Broke On: Thursday, 06 June 2024Boeing's Starliner spacecraft successfully docks at the International Space Station (ISS) on June 6, 2024, despite five malfunctioning thrusters. NASA and Boeing engineers managed to recover four faulty thrusters and seal the helium leaks. The docking marks Starliner's inaugural crewed test flight to the ISS, which could lead to regular flights for NASA if successful. SpaceX's Starship: Preparing for Fourth Test Flight to Demonstrate Reentry Capabilities and Soft Gulf of Mexico Splashdown
Broke On: Wednesday, 05 June 2024SpaceX's Starship, a reusable and more powerful rocket system designed by Elon Musk, receives FAA approval for its fourth test flight. The objective is to demonstrate survivability during reentry heating and controlled entry into the Gulf of Mexico. NASA plans to use it for moon landings later this decade. After several upgrades from previous tests' failures, SpaceX aims to make space travel more accessible with Starship. 
Japanese Billionaire Cancels Moon Flight Due to SpaceX's Starship Development Delays
Broke On: Saturday, 01 June 2024Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa cancels his planned moon flight on SpaceX's Starship due to development uncertainties, leaving eight passengers including Elon Musk disappointed. The project aimed for the first private circumlunar mission but faced multiple setbacks and explosive test flights. 
NASA and SpaceX Launch Crew-8 Mission to ISS with First-Time Veteran Matthew Dominick on Board
Broke On: Sunday, 03 March 2024On March 4, SpaceX and NASA will launch the Crew-8 mission to ISS with a crew of four humans including Matthew Dominick, a first-time spaceflight veteran selected by NASA in 2017. 
NASA and SpaceX to Launch Crew-8 Mission on March 1, 2024 from Kennedy Space Center in Florida
Broke On: Monday, 26 February 2024NASA and SpaceX are set to launch the Crew-8 mission on March 1, 2024 from Pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The crew consists of four astronauts: Matthew Dominick, Michael Barrett, Jeannette Epps and Alexander Grebenkin. They will relieve the Crew-7 team who are currently on the ISS and will return to Earth a week after Crew-8 arrives at the ISS. 
Asteroid the Size of a Bus to Skim Past Earth Today: What You Need to Know
Broke On: Thursday, 22 February 2024On February 22, an asteroid the size of a bus will skim past Earth. It is estimated to be around 42 feet in diameter and traveling at roughly 50 times the speed of sound. Despite its close proximity, experts have reassured that there is no cause for alarm.
