Tom Dune is the creator behind UK Space News, YouTube's first and primary dedicated channel tracking the rise of the UK space industry. From grassroots rocketry to orbital launch, he offers dedicated, ground-level coverage of the UK' s journey to the stars. If it's building, launching or innovating in the UK, you'll find it here.
I was once described as ‘Scotland’s space influencer'. I think they thought I was Scott Manley, but I'm not. I have hair.
Being based in Scotland and with an unhealthy obsession for spaceflight, my mission is a simple one:
Educate to Inspire.
The UK space industry of today is my passion and I tell current news stories, promote small businesses and enjoy all the cool stuff happening, which makes this industry so exciting! The channel also features deep dives into specific topics, as well as live-streaming rocket launches and the odd video game play as well, because I'm nothing if not a massive nerd. We're all about space rocks and punk rock!
Tom Dune
Well damn... what an awesome thing to wake up to. The latest vid has done really well AND the channel has hit 2k subs!! Thank you all for watching, visiting and subscribing.
Lets keep it going. Join me as we follow along with RFA's journey to first flight from Saxavord!
1 week ago | [YT] | 14
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Tom Dune
NordSpace stream update - For those following me on Twitter/ X, you'll have seen I've been dealing with broadband problems for the past few days, i.e I have none. Well, I currently have engineers at the house working on getting me back up and running. In the meantime, I've taken the NordSpace livestream down until I can be sure I can definitely cover this launch. At the moment, according to latest updates, there's a 30% chance of launch today but improving as the week goes on. I'll be unable to cover the launch tomorrow but will either get this afternoon (all going well) or later in the week.
10 months ago | [YT] | 3
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Tom Dune
Devastated to hear of the passing of Jim Lovell. He is by far and away my favourite astronaut and an inspiration. A veteran of four spaceflights and two trips to the moon. The way he stayed calm and collected in the face of the greatest of perils during Apollo 13, as well as his trust in his crew, ground team and spacecraft to bring himself, Fred and Jack home safely cant be understated. I send my deepest of condolences to his family. May he now rest easy amongst the stars and may we honour his legacy and life well fulfilled.
11 months ago | [YT] | 10
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Tom Dune
BREAKING NEWS
In a heartbreaking update at 6pm UK time today, Saxavord Spaceport have announced that CEO Frank Strang will be stepping back from his duties following a terminal diagnosis of throat cancer. Frank has been a bastion of the incredible growth the UK space industry has seen over the last few years and, together with his wife Debbie and the rest of the team in Shetland, has brought to life a creation which will unlock a whole new frontier for Britain.
Saxavord, once completed and launching regularly, will (and already is) inspire children all over the country to seek out a career in the space industry from right here in the UK. He has helped place Scotland on the map and for that, he will always be a legend.
My heart and thoughts go out to him, his family and everyone connected to his wonderful vision. From the bottom of my heart, thank you Frank, and I firmly hope that you are there watching the very first successful flight as Scotland and the UK, with whichever launch provider it happens to be, take to the stars.
hereditas tua est stellae
1 year ago | [YT] | 16
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Tom Dune
Wow, what a week it's been! Starliner returns to earth and Polaris Dawn finally launches for a historic mission. And this got me thinking.
See, I know there's been no new video for a couple of weeks and that's because I'm hard at work on a project that my Patreon supporters know about (check it out if you want behind the scenes goodness) and it's eating up all my usual video making time, such is the scale of it. It's been months in the making and I really want it finished, but only when it's as good as can be. But... it's nearly ready! And dammit, I'm pushing through to the end 😂.
Why is that something to post about here? Because it's a project for this channel! So, not only will my biggest project to date be dropping soon, I'm thinking about (again) doing some branching out.
I always try different things here, from random game streams (because I'm a gamer and sometimes I do it for the hell of it. Not because this channel will become a gamer thing) to coverage of India and Australia.
With things at Saxavord likely to go quiet for a little while, aside from HyImpulse launching, it got me wondering if YOU would like some additional spaceflight coverage? Live streams, launch reviews, news items and everything I do for UK stuff, but branch out. Let me know what you think because I'm keen to start covering Europa Clipper with it's imminent launch.
If you read all this, well done you 🙏🏻. Drop a comment with your thoughts.
Thanks as always for your support!
1 year ago | [YT] | 6
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Tom Dune
I was really happy with how this video turned out, but it seems to not be getting shown to... well, very many people, so this is a PSA about it being out there. It would be a shame to see this one die at the hands of the algorithm.
It's a dive into the reasons behind the RFA One explosion at Saxavord and what may have led to the root cause.
I hope you all enjoy. Please give it a like if you did and share it widely. Every little helps and I appreciate the heck out of you!
1 year ago | [YT] | 13
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Tom Dune
Hey folks, it's been a hot minute, but I'm still alive and getting back to it after my move to the new HQ!
Just wanted to make a short video for you all to pretty much say that and talk about the next video coming up, which you can view at the link here:
https://youtu.be/ynQMexWxXw4
2 years ago | [YT] | 1
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Tom Dune
Welcome to all new subscribers! I hope you enjoy the content on offer covering the UK space scene as well as amazing missions from across the world!
There will be no new episode this week as I am moving home, but I'll be back next time out with a bumper roundup of spaceflight news from around the world!
2 years ago | [YT] | 6
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