Derek Newsome
@derekdotspace.bsky.social
Independent spaceflight reporter and photographer.
derekspace.news
derekspace.com
He/Him
derekspace.news
derekspace.com
He/Him
I have been looking into doing my own independent reporting on spaceflight after a slow year for photography work.
Today I am proud to announce the launching of derekspace.news with our first article!
My first look is a glimpse into the tumultuous 2025 ULA had and their plans for a bigger 2026.
Today I am proud to announce the launching of derekspace.news with our first article!
My first look is a glimpse into the tumultuous 2025 ULA had and their plans for a bigger 2026.
ULA looking to bounce back after disappointing 2025
Vulcan Centaur lifting off from Space Launch Complex 41 during the Cert-2 missionImage Credit : Derek Newsome As the end of 2024 approached ULA was optimistic for their upcoming 2025 launch campaig…
derekspace.news
January 12, 2026 at 8:25 PM
I have been looking into doing my own independent reporting on spaceflight after a slow year for photography work.
Today I am proud to announce the launching of derekspace.news with our first article!
My first look is a glimpse into the tumultuous 2025 ULA had and their plans for a bigger 2026.
Today I am proud to announce the launching of derekspace.news with our first article!
My first look is a glimpse into the tumultuous 2025 ULA had and their plans for a bigger 2026.
Having had my moments where there is a sudden and tight window to get an incredible photo, I cant even imagine how it felt looking at the photos afterwards and seeing that they nailed it.
i believe the photographer who is taking the photo is Christopher Katsarov of the Canadian Press, and here is his photo
January 11, 2026 at 11:24 PM
Having had my moments where there is a sudden and tight window to get an incredible photo, I cant even imagine how it felt looking at the photos afterwards and seeing that they nailed it.
Got to use the new Z Flip yesterday for a bit.
It is *wild* how much better a foldable phone is now than it was just a few years ago. Genuinely a frontrunner for my next phone now.
It is *wild* how much better a foldable phone is now than it was just a few years ago. Genuinely a frontrunner for my next phone now.
January 11, 2026 at 1:04 AM
Got to use the new Z Flip yesterday for a bit.
It is *wild* how much better a foldable phone is now than it was just a few years ago. Genuinely a frontrunner for my next phone now.
It is *wild* how much better a foldable phone is now than it was just a few years ago. Genuinely a frontrunner for my next phone now.
NASA has released the available launch dates for Artemis II in February, March, and April.
There are more windows past April available (monthly effectively) but these are the primary windows.
There are more windows past April available (monthly effectively) but these are the primary windows.
January 10, 2026 at 12:21 AM
NASA has released the available launch dates for Artemis II in February, March, and April.
There are more windows past April available (monthly effectively) but these are the primary windows.
There are more windows past April available (monthly effectively) but these are the primary windows.
It was mildly concerning to drive up to Titusville and see thick black smoke coming from Kennedy Space Center.
Good news though is it is just a control burn for normal land management!
Good news though is it is just a control burn for normal land management!
January 9, 2026 at 8:50 PM
It was mildly concerning to drive up to Titusville and see thick black smoke coming from Kennedy Space Center.
Good news though is it is just a control burn for normal land management!
Good news though is it is just a control burn for normal land management!
Amazon is preparing for their first flight with Arianespace in early February.
This will be the first flight of Ariane 6 with all four SRBs and will also be the heaviest commercial payload ever launched at over 18,250 kg.
This will be the first flight of Ariane 6 with all four SRBs and will also be the heaviest commercial payload ever launched at over 18,250 kg.
January 9, 2026 at 12:25 AM
Amazon is preparing for their first flight with Arianespace in early February.
This will be the first flight of Ariane 6 with all four SRBs and will also be the heaviest commercial payload ever launched at over 18,250 kg.
This will be the first flight of Ariane 6 with all four SRBs and will also be the heaviest commercial payload ever launched at over 18,250 kg.
Earlier this week I rewatched the F1 movie and was wondering if I could recreate the opening title sequence using only iRacing.
Turns out I can get pretty close!
youtu.be/MpZP29I1TbA?...
Turns out I can get pretty close!
youtu.be/MpZP29I1TbA?...
F1 Movie Opening Credits in iRacing
YouTube video by Derek Newsome
youtu.be
January 8, 2026 at 11:52 PM
Earlier this week I rewatched the F1 movie and was wondering if I could recreate the opening title sequence using only iRacing.
Turns out I can get pretty close!
youtu.be/MpZP29I1TbA?...
Turns out I can get pretty close!
youtu.be/MpZP29I1TbA?...
Confirmation that Crew-11 will be returning home as soon as reasonable.
Recovery assets are stationed in California to support a splashdown and recovery.
The Crew-12 launch is looking to be accelerated to early February.
Recovery assets are stationed in California to support a splashdown and recovery.
The Crew-12 launch is looking to be accelerated to early February.
January 8, 2026 at 10:08 PM
Confirmation that Crew-11 will be returning home as soon as reasonable.
Recovery assets are stationed in California to support a splashdown and recovery.
The Crew-12 launch is looking to be accelerated to early February.
Recovery assets are stationed in California to support a splashdown and recovery.
The Crew-12 launch is looking to be accelerated to early February.
NASA briefing to update on the Crew-11 situation.
Given the movement of recovery assets to California earlier today, I expect them to be returning early.
www.youtube.com/live/ffcV3jC...
Given the movement of recovery assets to California earlier today, I expect them to be returning early.
www.youtube.com/live/ffcV3jC...
January 8, 2026 at 10:01 PM
NASA briefing to update on the Crew-11 situation.
Given the movement of recovery assets to California earlier today, I expect them to be returning early.
www.youtube.com/live/ffcV3jC...
Given the movement of recovery assets to California earlier today, I expect them to be returning early.
www.youtube.com/live/ffcV3jC...
Keeping a close eye on Crew-11 as a medical situation has developed with one of the crew members that canceled tomorrows planned EVA.
NASA is currently evaluating potentially ending the mission early to return the member to Earth.
IMPORTANT: The Crew member is in stable condition at this time.
NASA is currently evaluating potentially ending the mission early to return the member to Earth.
IMPORTANT: The Crew member is in stable condition at this time.
January 8, 2026 at 5:33 AM
Keeping a close eye on Crew-11 as a medical situation has developed with one of the crew members that canceled tomorrows planned EVA.
NASA is currently evaluating potentially ending the mission early to return the member to Earth.
IMPORTANT: The Crew member is in stable condition at this time.
NASA is currently evaluating potentially ending the mission early to return the member to Earth.
IMPORTANT: The Crew member is in stable condition at this time.
A good look from Boeing today of the new strakes adorning the SLS Core Stage. These fins were added after Artemis I experienced unexpected airflow induced vibrations at the forward attachment point for the SRBs.
These smooth out the airflow around the point and reduce vibrations during launch.
These smooth out the airflow around the point and reduce vibrations during launch.
January 7, 2026 at 9:43 PM
A good look from Boeing today of the new strakes adorning the SLS Core Stage. These fins were added after Artemis I experienced unexpected airflow induced vibrations at the forward attachment point for the SRBs.
These smooth out the airflow around the point and reduce vibrations during launch.
These smooth out the airflow around the point and reduce vibrations during launch.
The best advice I have ever gotten for managing my anger is pretty simple.
Use your anger to be constructive not destructive.
I think I'll do that today.
Use your anger to be constructive not destructive.
I think I'll do that today.
January 7, 2026 at 9:14 PM
The best advice I have ever gotten for managing my anger is pretty simple.
Use your anger to be constructive not destructive.
I think I'll do that today.
Use your anger to be constructive not destructive.
I think I'll do that today.
Starship HLS has slipped further behind. The propellant transfer demo, which had been notionally expected to happen this summer, is now being projected to occur in Q4.
Based on prior HLS readiness schedules, that would put a crewed landing in Q1 2029 at the earliest assuming a green light schedule.
Based on prior HLS readiness schedules, that would put a crewed landing in Q1 2029 at the earliest assuming a green light schedule.
January 7, 2026 at 3:47 AM
Starship HLS has slipped further behind. The propellant transfer demo, which had been notionally expected to happen this summer, is now being projected to occur in Q4.
Based on prior HLS readiness schedules, that would put a crewed landing in Q1 2029 at the earliest assuming a green light schedule.
Based on prior HLS readiness schedules, that would put a crewed landing in Q1 2029 at the earliest assuming a green light schedule.
The plot of the F1 Movie is really meh at best
But my god. The cinematography is probably the best I have ever seen in a movie.
But my god. The cinematography is probably the best I have ever seen in a movie.
January 6, 2026 at 3:47 AM
The plot of the F1 Movie is really meh at best
But my god. The cinematography is probably the best I have ever seen in a movie.
But my god. The cinematography is probably the best I have ever seen in a movie.
Extremely loud boom in Huntsville earlier today. Initially there were rumors it was a failed Blue Origin test, however in the time since the explosion was felt, Blue has test fired both a BE-3U and BE4 engine on their 4670 test stand.
It is currently unclear what caused the sound and bright flash.
It is currently unclear what caused the sound and bright flash.
January 6, 2026 at 3:11 AM
Extremely loud boom in Huntsville earlier today. Initially there were rumors it was a failed Blue Origin test, however in the time since the explosion was felt, Blue has test fired both a BE-3U and BE4 engine on their 4670 test stand.
It is currently unclear what caused the sound and bright flash.
It is currently unclear what caused the sound and bright flash.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman has had his private jets put into a NASA livery and is now using them to give joyrides to members of the Trump family from Kennedy Space Center.
January 6, 2026 at 3:02 AM
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman has had his private jets put into a NASA livery and is now using them to give joyrides to members of the Trump family from Kennedy Space Center.
Great report from Marcia Smith on the FY26 NASA budget.
Definitely a significantly improved outlook for the agency than a year ago.
spacepolicyonline.com/news/great-n...
Definitely a significantly improved outlook for the agency than a year ago.
spacepolicyonline.com/news/great-n...
Great News for NASA in the House-Senate FY2026 Appropriations Report
Posted: January 5, 2026 5:08 pm ET | Last Updated: January 5, 2026 8:06 pm ET | Get a summary of the agreement between the House and Senate appropriations committees on NASA funding for FY2026, releas...
spacepolicyonline.com
January 6, 2026 at 1:34 AM
Great report from Marcia Smith on the FY26 NASA budget.
Definitely a significantly improved outlook for the agency than a year ago.
spacepolicyonline.com/news/great-n...
Definitely a significantly improved outlook for the agency than a year ago.
spacepolicyonline.com/news/great-n...
A lot of the prominent space media has been avoiding reporting on Artemis II's remarkably smooth progress in the past year.
As of me writing this, the mission is slated to launch in Early February, with rollout to the pad for testing in about a week and a half.
As of me writing this, the mission is slated to launch in Early February, with rollout to the pad for testing in about a week and a half.
whoa, wait.
This really snuck up on me (in my head, there was waaaaay longer space between now and this event).
But #ArtemisII launch date is scheduled for a month from now?
I thought this was pushed forward ....
Even any point in this year feels like it snuck up on me!
This really snuck up on me (in my head, there was waaaaay longer space between now and this event).
But #ArtemisII launch date is scheduled for a month from now?
I thought this was pushed forward ....
Even any point in this year feels like it snuck up on me!
January 4, 2026 at 11:09 PM
A lot of the prominent space media has been avoiding reporting on Artemis II's remarkably smooth progress in the past year.
As of me writing this, the mission is slated to launch in Early February, with rollout to the pad for testing in about a week and a half.
As of me writing this, the mission is slated to launch in Early February, with rollout to the pad for testing in about a week and a half.
I have waited 23 years to say this
We’re going back to the fucking Moon this year
January 1, 2026 at 5:31 AM
I have waited 23 years to say this
We’re going back to the fucking Moon this year
January 1, 2026 at 5:31 AM
We’re going back to the fucking Moon this year
My collection of obscure NASA LEGO grows...
December 31, 2025 at 6:31 PM
My collection of obscure NASA LEGO grows...
Just stumbled upon an INCREDIBLE shot of Apollo 10 blasting a hole in the clouds during its launch
December 31, 2025 at 4:51 AM
Just stumbled upon an INCREDIBLE shot of Apollo 10 blasting a hole in the clouds during its launch
Set a personal goal a few months back to do a true sub 10 minute mile this year. Haven’t been able to do one since middle school.
Just ran a 9:39 💪
Just ran a 9:39 💪
December 29, 2025 at 5:03 AM
Set a personal goal a few months back to do a true sub 10 minute mile this year. Haven’t been able to do one since middle school.
Just ran a 9:39 💪
Just ran a 9:39 💪
Hearing reports of an unidentified red object flying over Cape Canaveral tonight at incredible speed. Anyone have any eyes in the sky on this merry evening? 🎄
December 25, 2025 at 5:18 AM
Hearing reports of an unidentified red object flying over Cape Canaveral tonight at incredible speed. Anyone have any eyes in the sky on this merry evening? 🎄
BOOM 💥
FIRST EVER 10 MINUTE MILETIME LFG
1/4 mile warmup at 4mph
1 mile run at 6 mph
FIRST EVER 10 MINUTE MILETIME LFG
1/4 mile warmup at 4mph
1 mile run at 6 mph
December 23, 2025 at 5:04 AM
BOOM 💥
FIRST EVER 10 MINUTE MILETIME LFG
1/4 mile warmup at 4mph
1 mile run at 6 mph
FIRST EVER 10 MINUTE MILETIME LFG
1/4 mile warmup at 4mph
1 mile run at 6 mph