Victoria Jaggard Takes Over Space Coverage at The New York Times
Victoria Jaggard has been appointed as The New York Times’s new space editor, a role created to coordinate coverage of major space developments following the Artemis II mission and SpaceX’s IPO. Previously the senior space editor at National Geographic, Jaggard brings extensive experience covering Mars landings and solar eclipses to the Science desk.
Key points
- Victoria Jaggard has joined The New York Times as its new space editor, a position established to centralize and elevate space coverage on the Science desk.
- The role was created after the Artemis II mission and SpaceX’s initial public offering highlighted the growing importance of private space industry ambitions.
- Jaggard previously served as National Geographic’s senior space editor, covering events such as the 2008 Phoenix lander on Mars, the final space shuttle launch, and the 2024 total solar eclipse.
- Bill Wasik, The Times’s Science editor, stated that the new position is necessary to coordinate coverage as space exploration becomes a major driver of future exploration.
- Michael Roston, who previously handled space coverage, has transitioned to a deputy breaking news editor role.
Background
This appointment follows a period of increased focus on space exploration, including the Artemis II mission and significant private sector developments like SpaceX’s IPO. The Times is formalizing its space coverage structure to better address these evolving narratives.
Why it matters
The creation of a dedicated space editor at a major news outlet signals a shift in media priorities, recognizing space exploration and private industry growth as critical, ongoing stories that require specialized coordination and elevated coverage.
What to watch
Jaggard will oversee and coordinate space-related reporting for The New York Times, aiming to provide comprehensive coverage of future space missions and industry developments.
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