Derek Newsome
@derekdotspace.bsky.social
Independent spaceflight reporter and photographer.
derekspace.news
derekspace.com
He/Him
derekspace.news
derekspace.com
He/Him
This is all still a work in progress as far as how the website itself is put together, expect it to be updated pretty regularly and substantially over the next month or two, but I feel confident in both my writing and photography for it to be worth your read and I hope you'll all give me a shot!
January 12, 2026 at 8:30 PM
This is all still a work in progress as far as how the website itself is put together, expect it to be updated pretty regularly and substantially over the next month or two, but I feel confident in both my writing and photography for it to be worth your read and I hope you'll all give me a shot!
Im not entirely sure at this point, but the current targeted date of the 17th is cutting it fairly close.
I would be surprised if we launch in February but it is not impossible
I would be surprised if we launch in February but it is not impossible
January 10, 2026 at 12:47 AM
Im not entirely sure at this point, but the current targeted date of the 17th is cutting it fairly close.
I would be surprised if we launch in February but it is not impossible
I would be surprised if we launch in February but it is not impossible
Ariane 6 is definitely finding itself in a great place from both a performance and commercial prospects angle. Took its time to get there but the past year has been a strong start to its career.
January 9, 2026 at 9:39 PM
Ariane 6 is definitely finding itself in a great place from both a performance and commercial prospects angle. Took its time to get there but the past year has been a strong start to its career.
Honestly the bigger worry was any kind of vehicle explosion would produce a very similarly sized smoke cloud and we have 3 currently stacked out here.
January 9, 2026 at 8:58 PM
Honestly the bigger worry was any kind of vehicle explosion would produce a very similarly sized smoke cloud and we have 3 currently stacked out here.
Hey @iracing.com I was told I should tag you to show this off a bit!
January 9, 2026 at 12:48 AM
Hey @iracing.com I was told I should tag you to show this off a bit!
One notable part of these mass records is their insetion orbits. Unlike the current record holder, Falcon 9 with Starlink, which launches to a roughly 260km high orbit.
The Amazon LEO satellites will be deployed directly into a 450km orbit.
The Amazon LEO satellites will be deployed directly into a 450km orbit.
January 9, 2026 at 12:25 AM
One notable part of these mass records is their insetion orbits. Unlike the current record holder, Falcon 9 with Starlink, which launches to a roughly 260km high orbit.
The Amazon LEO satellites will be deployed directly into a 450km orbit.
The Amazon LEO satellites will be deployed directly into a 450km orbit.
This record is expected to only be held briefly as the first Vulcan Amazon LEO flight is expected to follow it shortly after with a whopping 25,200kg payload mass.
ULA is expecting to launch the USSF-87 mission prior to this though on February 2nd.
ULA is expecting to launch the USSF-87 mission prior to this though on February 2nd.
January 9, 2026 at 12:25 AM
This record is expected to only be held briefly as the first Vulcan Amazon LEO flight is expected to follow it shortly after with a whopping 25,200kg payload mass.
ULA is expecting to launch the USSF-87 mission prior to this though on February 2nd.
ULA is expecting to launch the USSF-87 mission prior to this though on February 2nd.
I recall him recently saying that this was a good thing for a private launch company.
Funny how that changes.
Funny how that changes.
January 8, 2026 at 5:07 PM
I recall him recently saying that this was a good thing for a private launch company.
Funny how that changes.
Funny how that changes.
Both really.
The ISS has a decent medical supply but its not exhaustive, and it also does not have any specific direct medical space for any potentially intensive/intrusive car.
The ISS has a decent medical supply but its not exhaustive, and it also does not have any specific direct medical space for any potentially intensive/intrusive car.
January 8, 2026 at 6:37 AM
Both really.
The ISS has a decent medical supply but its not exhaustive, and it also does not have any specific direct medical space for any potentially intensive/intrusive car.
The ISS has a decent medical supply but its not exhaustive, and it also does not have any specific direct medical space for any potentially intensive/intrusive car.
Medical issues in space are one of the things we are still learning about with the ISS, so taking a chance on a crew members health vs ending the mission early is a clear cut decision if the benefit to treatment on Earth vs in space is substantial.
January 8, 2026 at 5:33 AM
Medical issues in space are one of the things we are still learning about with the ISS, so taking a chance on a crew members health vs ending the mission early is a clear cut decision if the benefit to treatment on Earth vs in space is substantial.
NASA will not share specifics about who or the condition itself for medical privacy of the affected crew member (and I stress that we should not seek to release this information as media), however given what has been released, it may not be too severe, but it may be safer to be treated on Earth.
January 8, 2026 at 5:33 AM
NASA will not share specifics about who or the condition itself for medical privacy of the affected crew member (and I stress that we should not seek to release this information as media), however given what has been released, it may not be too severe, but it may be safer to be treated on Earth.
Isaacman owns multiple jet aircraft. These are F-5s that he purchased last year.
January 6, 2026 at 4:41 AM
Isaacman owns multiple jet aircraft. These are F-5s that he purchased last year.