Derek Richardson
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spacewriter.bsky.social
Derek Richardson
@spacewriter.bsky.social
I am a space geek who loves to write and make videos!
I'm @TheSpaceWriter on Twitter and Threads
I also run Orbital Velocity on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OrbitalVelocity
HTV-X1 was captured and berthed to ISS today! There are now 7 vehicles docked/berthed to Station (tied record from 2024). If schedules hold, when Soyuz MS-28 docks in late November, all 8 available ports will be occupied for the first time -- a new record!
October 29, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Some visuals from the video:
August 29, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Gonna watch "From the Earth to the Moon" tonight to try to lift my spirits.
February 8, 2025 at 1:44 AM
Trolling or lying? Episode 5 of Space Program Writers' Room.

The "new" plan to bring home the Starliner astronauts is the same as the old plan...
January 29, 2025 at 11:47 PM
I got a great birthday gift from my wife! 👨‍🚀
December 29, 2024 at 3:35 PM
During the skip reentry process of Artemis 1, heat built up in the outer layer of the heat shield, which led to cracking/shedding during entry sequence (presumably once it dipped back into the atmosphere).

Here are a couple photos from the OIG of the A1 heat shield during post-flight inspections.
December 5, 2024 at 6:27 PM
This image of the brisket didn't show up in the last post.
November 28, 2024 at 8:41 PM
I think I may have started a new family Thanksgiving tradition...smoking brisket and burnt ends!
November 28, 2024 at 8:39 PM
My cat Kuiper decided to join me to watch the end of the Starship #IFT6 mission. Typical cat, getting in the way...lol
November 19, 2024 at 11:22 PM
New Lunar Starship (and prop depot) renders dropped by SpaceX! Starship will be the lunar lander for Artemis 3, likely sometime after 2026. The last image is what the company is calling its "Enterprise" edition.
November 19, 2024 at 11:19 PM
Starship is under ~20 minutes from launch (NET 4 p.m. CDT). SpaceX revealed flight 6 actually has a payload. Spoiler: It's bananas! 🚀🍌
November 19, 2024 at 11:19 PM
Looking forward to watching Starship launch for the sixth time! Window opens at 4 p.m. CDT. One day I'll get down there to see it in person. 🚀 While I don't have time to do a reaction livestream today, I hope to do so for the next flight. :D
📷: SpaceX
November 19, 2024 at 5:39 PM
Fitting that a post about Artemis 1 (previous post) would be my first on Bluesky on the two year anniversary of that mission's launch. I still plan on posting occasionally on Twitter, but I'll also be posting here and on Threads a lot more. #WeRiseTogether
November 16, 2024 at 10:51 PM
Can't believe it's already been 2 years since Artemis 1. It was so wonderful to see this launch in person and I can't wait for Artemis 2! 🚀🌕 Here's a clip of an overview video I made for the mission. Full video here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gk6O...
November 16, 2024 at 10:22 PM