Astronauten die na een helse toch door de Aardse dampkring veilig en wel terugkeren, astronauten die met behulp van de bulderende kracht van een raket de veilige grond onder hun voeten verlaten om te gaan wonen en werken, een vierhonderd kilometer hoog in het blikken doos, beter bekend als het International Space Station. Dankzij het vele filmmateriaal, vaak ook nog live uitgezonden via allerlei kanalen, is het allemaal mee te maken, thuis vanuit de luie zetel. Dromend van gewichtloosheid, dromend van dat schitterend zicht op de Aarde en misschien ook dromend van leven elders in het heelal. Zoals bijvoorbeeld op Mars. Curiosity zorgde met zijn onderzoek alweer voor nieuwe ontdekkingen. Het Amerikaanse ruimtevaartagentschap heeft niet gezegd dat er leven is op Mars, maar er is hoop dat volgende Marssondes in 2020 voor nog meer antwoorden (of op zijn minst) aanwijzingen zullen zorgen op de vraag of er op de Rode Planeet nu al dan niet leven is (geweest).

Nieuwe ontdekkingen doen weer dromen over leven op Mars.
NASA: NASA Finds Ancient Organic Material, Mysterious Methane on Mars.

Science: Organic matter preserved in 3-billion-year-old mudstones at Gale crater, Mars.
Science: Background levels of methane in Mars’ atmosphere show strong seasonal variations.

EurekAlert!: Mars rover finds ancient organic compounds that match meteoritic samples.
EurekAlert!: Minerology on Mars points to a cold and icy ancient climate.
Science Mag: Organic molecules on Mars.
New Scientist: Mars has complex organic material that may be from ancient life.

SpaceCom: There May Be Life on Mars, But This NASA Report Doesn't Prove It.
SpaceCom: Curiosity Rover Finds Ancient 'Building Blocks for Life' on Mars.
MIT News: 3 Questions: Roger Summons on finding organic matter on Mars.
Science2.0: NASA’s Building Blocks of Life on Mars: Keep Calm and Carry On.
VRT NWS: Curiosity vindt organische moleculen in sedimenten op Mars, en mysterieus methaan in de atmosfeer.

Enkele filmpjes:
NASA JPL: New Mars Science Results. 
NASA: Ancient Organics Discovered on Mars.
NASA: A panorama around Gale Crater, the Curiosity rover's location on Mars.

Scott Manley: Let's Talk About Organic Chemistry on Mars.
Everyday Astronaut: Did Curiosity find life on Mars? No... but... maybe!

En nog twee filmpjes:
NASA eClips: Our World: What is an Extremophile?
NASA eClips: Our World: Where Do We Find Extremophiles?

Om af te ronden, een interview door Miles O’Brien over methaan op de Aarde en op Mars.
Miles to Go: Episode 18: Searching for Methane, the Other Greenhouse Gas

ISS – Soyuz-bemanning weer terug op Aarde.
TASS: Russian spacecraft’s descent capsule with three ISS crewmembers lands in Kazakhstan.
NASA: NASA Astronaut, Crewmates Safely Return to Earth from Space Station.
Collect Space: Soyuz MS-07 returns station crew to Earth after 168 days in space.

En deze titel lijkt een beetje fout te zijn :-)
TIME: 3 Russian Astronauts Who Spent 168 Days in Space Safely Land Back on Earth.

En enkele uren kijkplezier :-)
NASA: Expedition 55-56 Change of Command Ceremony - June 1, 2018.
NASA: Soyuz MS-07 Farewell and Hatch Closure - June 3, 2018.
NASA: Soyuz MS-07 Undocking - June 3, 2018.
NASA: Soyuz MS-07 Landing - 1 of 2 - June 3, 2018.
NASA: Soyuz MS-07 Landing - 2 of 2 - June 3, 2018.
NASA: Expedition 55 Post-Landing Activities - June 4, 2018.

Lange Mars 3A lanceert weersatelliet.
GB Times: China lofts Fengyun-2H weather satellite from Xichang.
NasaSpaceFlight: Long March 3A launches Fengyun-2H.
Space News: Long March 3A rocket launches Fengyun-2H meteorological satellite.

Een filmpje van de lancering vind je hier. 

Een pas gelanceerde aardobservatiesatelliet stuurde ondertussen een eerste opname door.
GB Times: Newly launched Gaofen-6 Earth observation satellite returns first images.

SpaceX lanceert SES-12.
SES: SES-12 Roars into Space onboard.
Space News: SpaceX launches SES-12 on “hybrid” Falcon 9.
ABC News: SpaceX launches communication satellite, ditches old booster.
Air & Cosmos International: SES-12 all-electric satellite successfully launched.

De persmap vind je hier (PDF).
Beelden van de lancering vind je hier. 

ISS – De Horizons-missie gaat van start.
TASS: Russian spacecraft with new expedition blasts off to world’s sole orbiter.
NASA: Astronauts Safely in Orbit Following Launch to International Space Station.
ESA: Liftoff – Alexander Gerst Returs To Space.
DLR: Alexander Gerst is on his way to the ISS for the second time.
Collect Space: Soyuz MS-09 lifts off with crew (and World Cup soccer 'team') for space station.

De filmpjes.
Roscosmos: Een maand voor de lancering wordt de laatste hand gelegd aan de capsule.
Roscosmos: Bemanning arriveert op de lanceerbasis.
Roscosmos: Capsule bevestigd aan het tussenstuk tussen capsule en raket.
Roscosmos: Na het examen.
Roscosmos: Capsule in de neuskegel.
Roscosmos: Het uitrollen van de raket.

ESA: Horizons mission – crew is ready.

NASA: Blessing of the Crew.
NASA: Crew Walks Out to the Launch Pad.
NASA: Crew Waves Bye Before Boarding Rocket.
NASA: Liftoff of Three Expedition 56-57 Crew Members to the Space Station.
NASA: Expedition 56-57 Launches to the International Space Station (langere versie).

Deze Russische reporter staat vrij dicht.
Russia Today: Moment ISS expedition blasts off to first & only zero gravity lab.
EuroNews: Soyuz spacecraft launches with next ISS commander onboard.

Er was voor het eerst ook een camera aan de buitenkant van de Soyuz.
TASS: Russian space agency installs external video camera on Soyuz spacecraft for first time.
Sci News: Soyuz MS-09 external camera (filmpje).

Meer info. Over de Horizons missie (DLR), over de missie en astronaut Gerst (ESA).
Een mooie brochure over de missie vind je hier (PDF).

Bezoek aan Baikonur.
Urania: Baikonoer-reizigers ontmoeten Frank De Winne.
SpaceCom: Baikonur Reflections: The Life-Changing Experience of Witnessing a Soyuz Rocket Launch.
SpaceCom: Touring Baikonur: The Town Behind the Famed Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
SpaceCom: The Secret Backstory Behind Kazakhstan's Rocket Launch Site.
SpaceCom: Roscosmos: Russia's Space Centers and Launch Sites in Pictures.

ISS – Gerst aan boord van het ruimtestation.
ESA: Second space station mission for Alexander Gerst begins.
NASA: New Crew Arrives at the International Space Station.

TASS: Russian spacecraft with three crewmembers docks with orbital outpost.
TASS: Soyuz spacecraft’s crew transfers to orbital outpost after docking.

GeekWire: Aloha! Three new crewmates welcomed aboard space station, Hawaiian-style.

De filmpjes.
NASA: Soyuz Rendezvous With the Space Station.
NASA: Expedition 56-57 Crew Docks to the Space Station.
NASA: Expedition 56 Crew Greeting.
ESA: Horizons mission - docking and hatch opening highlights.
Het volledige live verslag van de koppeling (een uurtje) kan je hier zien, en het live verslag van het openen van het luik (een anderhalf uur) hier.  

ICON lancering uitgesteld.
Parabolic Arc: NASA Delays ICON Launch Due to Booster Problem.
Spaceflight Now: Launch of NASA ionospheric probe delayed to examine rocket issue.

NASA Edge: NASA EDGE: Countdown to ICON/Pegasus Ferry Flight Show (filmpje).
Spaceflight Now: Carrier jet with Pegasus rocket returning to California, postponing NASA satellite launch.

SpaceX-nieuwtjes: Falcon 9 – Falcon Heavy – KSC – Maan – Starlink.

Falcon 9:
Teslarati: SpaceX will transition all launches to Falcon 9 Block 5 rockets after next mission.
Teslarati: SpaceX’s first fairing catch imminent with plans to 4X Mr Steven’s net.
Teslarati: SpaceX’s BFR factory in LA spied with four Falcon 9 fairing halves.

Falcon Heavy:
SpaceCom: SpaceX's Arabsat Falcon Heavy Mission to Launch in December-January Timeframe.
Florida Today: SpaceX Falcon Heavy with Block 5 boosters targeted for fall launch from KSC.

KSC:
Florida Today: SpaceX plans major expansion at KSC with futuristic launch control center.

Toeristen naar de Maan.
SpaceX: SpaceX Won't Launch Tourists Around the Moon This Year.
The Observer: WSJ’s SpaceX Story Raises Many Alarm Bells, But Few Are Based in Fact.

Starlink:
Teslarati: SpaceX’s Starlink high-speed internet satellites alive and well in orbit.
Teslarati: SpaceX to in-house mass production of Starlink internet satellite hardware.
Geek Wire: SpaceX’s prototype internet satellites are good enough for gaming, Elon Musk says.

Firefly Aerospace gaat lanceren voor SSTL.
Space News: SSTL orders launches from Firefly Aerospace.
Via Satellite: SSTL Secures 6 Firefly Alpha Launches from 2020 to 2022.
Via Satellite: SSL’s Adam Marks on the New Economics of Commercial Space.

Meer raketnieuwtjes.
Politco: Paul Allen's space plane prepares for its coming out party (Stratolaunch).

Ars Technica: With a simple and cheap rocket, Virgin Orbit aims for the extraordinary.

Virgin Galactic: Richard Branson talks about VSS Unity's Second Supersonic Flight and Democratising Space (filmpje).

Space News: Acquisition of Orbital ATK approved, company renamed Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems.

Parabolic Arc: An Update on the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle Program.
Het rapport waarvan sprake kan je hier downloaden (PDF).

Een animatie over de lancering van een Vector-R-raket vind je hier. 

Sputnik News: Russian Reusable Space Rocket Tests Scheduled for 2022 - Project Team Leader.
TASS: Tests prove Russian rocket engines’ multiple-use capacity — developer.

Aerospace Technology: India approves $1.6bn funding to continue PSLV and GSLV rocket programmes.
SPACE and ISRO News: Isro gets nod for semi-cryogenic engine, will boost GSLV’s lift capability by 1 tonne (filmpje).

Space Daily: Zero 2 Infinity completed another successful launch from Europe's Stratoport, this time for Airbus.

TechnologyOrg: Scientists successfully tested a rocket engine that eats itself for fuel.

SLS/Orion.
ESA Orion Blog: Launch Abort Vehicle Visualisation.
Lockheed Martin: Shake, Shudder and Shout: Taking Orion to the brink.
NASA Appel: EM-1 and EM-2 Make Progress Across NASA and the Nation.
NASA KSC: Main Flame Deflector Installed at Launch Pad 39B (filmpje).
NASA Marshall: Rocket Science in 60 Seconds: SLS and Planetary Science Collide.

ISS – De toekomst.
Space News: NASA’s ISS Director explains the role commercial industry could play in operating ISS. Spoiler: Station is not for sale.
PhysOrg: NASA chief in talks with companies about running ISS: report.

Amerikaanse ruimtevaartpolitiek.
Space News: New policy directive implements commercial space regulatory reforms.
Space News: The Trump self-defense doctrine for the new space era.
Parabolic Arc: Trump Signs Space Policy Directive 2 Reforming Commercial Space Regulations.
Parabolic Arc: Space Policy Directive-2: Full Text.

Science Alert: Trump's Plans For NASA Are Entirely Out of Sync With What Most Americans Want.

Space Policy: Online: Senate Appropriators Join House In Boosting Funding For FAA Space Office.

NASA OIG: Semiannual Report (PDF).
Een video samenvatting van het rapport vind je hier.

Committee On Science Space & Technology: Subcommittee on Space Hearing - NASA Cost and Schedule Overruns: Acquisition and Program Management Challenges.

Geek Wire: Space Force? Space Corps? Space Guard? Experts study ways to patrol final frontier.

Ruimtevaart in Europa.
European Commission: EU budget: A €16 billion Space Programme to boost EU space leadership beyond 2020.
The Guardian: European Space Agency boss warns EU of rival agency risks.
Air & Cosmos: EU proposes €16bn Space Programme.

Nieuws uit de (inter)planetaire ruimte.

Zon:
NASA: NASA’s Hi-C Launches to Study Sun’s Corona.

Aarde:
Mashable: Hurricanes are slowing down, and that's very bad news for everyone.
SpaceCom: Deadly Fuego Volcano Eruption in Guatemala Spotted from Space (Photos).
SpaceCom: In Photos: Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano Eruption as Seen from Space.
NASA: NASA's Terra Satellite Spots New Mexico's Ute Fire.
NASA: NASA's Aqua Satellite Captures Heat Signature and Smoke from Buzzard Fire.
NASA: NASA Analyzes No. Indian Ocean Rainfall of Soaking Separate Cyclones (video).
NASA: 20 Years of Earth Data Now at Your Fingertips.
NASA: NASA's Worldview - Two Decades of Earth Data at Your Fingertips (filmpje).
Science Alert: Decades of Satellite Data Reveal Devastating Land Changes in The Largest US State.
ESA: Wind satellite shows off.
ESA: Aeolus on show.
The Planetary Society: Big news from the magnetosphere.

Moon:
Houston, We Have A Podcast: Moon Rocks.

Mars:
NASA JPL: Opportunity Hunkers Down During Dust Storm.
NASA JPL: Mars Curiosity's Labs Are Back in Action.
The Martian Chronicles: Sol 2070 – 2072: A very, Very, VERY good day on Mars.

Jupiter:
NASA JPL: Juno Solves 39-Year Old Mystery of Jupiter Lightning.
The Daily Galaxy: NASA Juno Probe's Strange New Discoveries on Jupiter --"The Electric Giant".
SpaceCom: Surprise! Jupiter's Lightning Looks a Lot Like Earth's.
Science Alert!: Inside Sources Say NASA's Juno Mission Will Be Extended at Least 3 Years.
NASA JPL: NASA Re-plans Juno's Jupiter Mission.
NasaSpaceFlight: With Juno in good health, NASA approve mission extension.

Ryugu:
JAXA: Completion of forward cruise ion engine operation.
The Planetary Society: Hayabusa2's Approach phase has begun with a new photo of Ryugu!

Ultima Thule.
NH Website: New Horizons Wakes for Historic Kuiper Belt Flyby.

Satellietconstellaties, Cubesats, FCC, … .
Nasa Watch: Proposed FCC Rule Could Effectively Stop Many University CubeSat Launches.
Space News: FCC Approves Audacy license for commercial satellite data-relay constellation.

SpaceCom: DARPA to Begin New Effort to Build Military Constellations in Low-Earth Orbit.

Via Satellite: Comtech, Kepler to Drive Rapidly Deployable LEO Comms.
SpaceQ: Kepler Commmunications continues to wait on the FCC.

Kratos – Constellations Podcast: LEOs, IoT and M2M Communications.

Nog twee filmpjes:
NASA eClips: Real World: CubeSats - A Satellite Small Enough to Fit in Your Hand.
NASA eClips: Real World: CubeSats – Changing the Way We Do Science.

Veel lees- en kijkplezier,

Koen