De Japanse Hakuto R M2 vloog zopas voorbij de Maan om in mei in een baan om onze naaste buur te komen. De Amerikaanse Blue Ghost is al zover en maakt zich klaar voor een landing op 2 maart. En over een tiental dagen vertrekken alweer nieuwe maansondes. Dat en nog veel, veel meer in deze Nieuws Uit De Ruimtevaart.

Bij de foto: Een “selfie”  op weg naar de Maan, met de Aarde op de achtergrond. De sonde in kwestie is de Blue Ghost maanlander van Firefly Aerospace. De landing is momenteel voorzien voor 2 maart. Foto: Firefly Aerospace.

Belgisch ruimtevaartnieuws. 

Problemen met Kpler ?
Space News: Spire Global sues Kpler to complete maritime business sale.
Op de website van Kpler en/of op hun Linkedin-account was er niet meteen reactie terug te vinden.
Zie de aankondiging van de verkoop in NUDR 2024/46-725.

De lanceringen van de afgelopen week.

11.02.2025 – SpaceX lanceert Starlink-satellieten Group 11-10 (VSFB).
UPI: SpaceX launches Starlink satellites from California.
SpaceCom: SpaceX launches 23 Starlink satellites to orbit from California.
SpaceCom: SpaceX rocket launch spawns dazzling 'space jellyfish' in evening sky.

Filmpjes:
SpaceX via X: Watch Falcon 9 launch 23 Starlink satellites to orbit from California.
SciNews: SpaceX Starlink 231 launch and Falcon 9 first stage landing, 11 February 2025.

11.02.2025 – Chinese Lange Mars 8A lanceert SatNet LEO Group 02.
ECNS: Long March 8A carrier rocket makes successful debut.
ECNS: China launches low-Earth-orbit satellites for internet constellation (foto’s).

Space News: First launch of Long March 8A sends second group of Guowang megaconstellation satellites into orbit.

Filmpjes:
SciNews: The first Long March-8A launch.
SciNews: Long March-8A to launch satellite constellations.

11.02.2025 – SpaceX lanceert Starlink-satellieten Group 12-18 (CCSFS).
SpaceCom: SpaceX rocket launches 21 Starlink satellites into orbit, then lands at sea.

Filmpjes:
SpaceX via X: Watch Falcon 9 launch 21 Starlink satellites to orbit from Florida, including 13 with Direct to Cell capabilities.
SciNews: SpaceX Starlink 232 launch and Falcon 9 first stage landing, 11 February 2025.

Te verwachten lanceringen.

27.02.2025 – CLPS – Intuitive Machinese IM2 & ODIN & Lunar Trailblazer.
NASA: NASA’s Polar Ice Experiment Paves Way for Future Moon Missions.

NASA: How NASA’s Lunar Trailblazer Will Make a Looping Voyage to the Moon.

SpaceCom: Crater-diving hopper 'Gracie' will launch to the moon aboard private Athena lander this month.

Filmpjes:
NASA: NASA’s Polar Ice Experiment Paves Way for Future Moon Missions.
Lockheed Martin (via vimeo): Lunar Trailblazer - Clean Room B-Roll and Interview Soundbites (9:16).
Lockheed Martin (via vimeo): Lunar Trailblazer - Scanning Orientation (16:9).
Lockheed Martin (via vimeo): Lunar Trailblazer - Scanning Orientation (9:16).
Lockheed Martin (via vimeo): Lunar Trailblazer - Arriving at the Moon (16:9).
Lockheed Martin (via vimeo): Lunar Trailblazer - Arriving at the Moon (9:16).
Lockheed Martin (via vimeo): Lunar Trailblazer - Entering Lunar Orbit (16:9).
Lockheed Martin (via vimeo): Lunar Trailblazer - Entering Lunar Orbit (9:16).

Raketnieuws.

Vijf lanceringen voor Ariane VI dit jaar.
Space News: Arianespace plans five Ariane 6 launches in 2025, primarily in the second half of the year.

Zie ook vorige NUDR – NUDR 202506-738: Ariane VI gaat ook tweede generatie Galileo-satellieten lanceren.
En NUDR 202505-737: Drie lanceercontracten voor Ariane VI.

Het Britse Orbex.
European Spaceflight: UK Space Agency Launch Director Hints at Major Support for Orbex.

Via Satellite: Orbex Wins Launch Contract With D-Orbit Fresh off the UK Funding Boost.
European Spaceflight: Orbex and D-Orbit Ink Two-Launch Agreement.

CNES werkt aan herbruikbare Upper Stage – DEMESURE.
European Spaceflight: CNES to Develop Reusable Upper Stage for Heavy-Lift Rocket.

Duitsland wil een lanceerplatform op de Noordzee.
European Spaceflight: Germany Commits Additional €870k to Offshore Launch Facility.

NASA kiest SpaceX voor de lancering van Pandora – VADR.
NASA: NASA Awards Launch Service Task Order for Pandora Mission.
Space News: NASA selects SpaceX to launch astrophysics smallsat mission.

Derde Vulcan moet plaatsruimen voor Atlas V.
Zie ook vorige NUDR.
Ars Technica: ULA’s Vulcan rocket still doesn’t have the Space Force’s seal of approval.

Blue Origin – Tweede New Glenn in de late lente.
Space News: Blue Origin planning second New Glenn launch for late spring.

Blue Origin – 10% van het personeel ontslagen.
Space News: Blue Origin to lay off 10% of its workforce.
Ars Technica: Citing too much “bureaucracy,” Blue Origin to cut 10 percent of its workforce.

“Shaping the US Space Launch Market”.
Inside Outer Space: Report: Shaping the U.S. Space Launch Market.
Payload: Report Argues For More Competition In Launch Sector.
Het rapport “Shaping the U.S. Space Launch Market Extending America's Advantage” vind je hier.

Sierra Space ontwikkelt hydrolox raketmotor voor Amerikaanse luchtmacht.
Sierra Space: Sierra Space Completes Test Campaign with Next-Generation Vortex 35,000 lbf Fuel-Rich LOX LH2 Engine.
Space News: U.S. Air Force extends Sierra Space contract for upper stage rocket engine.

Bemande ruimtevaart / Ruimtestations.

ESA’s “Fly! Project” – De eerste parastronaut – John McFall.
ESA (filmpje): Fly! Project media briefing.

BBC: British "parastronaut" becomes first person with a disability to be cleared for ISS mission.
VRTNWS: Britse voormalige paralympiër John McFall wordt eerste 'parastronaut': "Ik hoop dat dit deuren opent voor anderen".

Honderd vrouwen in de ruimte.
NSS: 100 Women in Space: A Legacy of Trailblazers, Scientists, and Dreamers.

Crew 10 wordt iets eerder gelanceerd – Crew 9 (met Butch en Suni) een beetje vroeger naar huis.
NASA CCP Blog: NASA, SpaceX Update Crew-10 Launch, Crew-9 Return Dates.

Space News: NASA and SpaceX to swap Crew Dragon spacecraft to reduce Crew-10 delay.
SpaceCom: NASA moves up return date for Boeing Starliner astronauts after swapping SpaceX Dragon spacecraft.
Space Policy Online: NASA switches Crew Dragons allowing Butch and Suni to come home a couple weeks sooner.
Spaceflight Now: NASA announces new launch date for Crew-10, swap of SpaceX Dragon spacecraft following construction delays.
SpaceCom: Boeing Starliner astronauts on the ISS set the story straight: 'We don't feel stranded'.
Politico: NASA astronauts — from space — discredit Trump claims they’re stranded.

TASS: Russian cosmonauts Peskov, Platonov deemed fit for flight aboard Crew Dragon.

NASA: NASA, SpaceX Invite Media to Watch Crew-10 Launch to Space Station.

The Times of India: Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore’s salary revealed; here’s what NASA is actually paying them.

ISS – Axiom 4 – De Ignis Missie.
ESA: Pierogi in space.
ESA: Pierogi space packaging.

Starliner.
PhysOrg: Watchdog panel's annual NASA safety report reveals new Boeing Starliner issue, questions viable future.

ESA start RFI voor Phase 2 van het LEO Cargo Return Services Initiatieve.
European Spaceflight: ESA Moves Forward with Phase 2 of its LEO Cargo Return Initiative.

ISS – De blogentries. Station Science Top News.
NASA ISS Blog: Biotechnology to Sustain Crews on Long Missions Tops Research Schedule
NASA ISS Blog: Crew Studies Space Agriculture, Biotechnology to Promote Future Missions
NASA ISS Blog: Keeping Crews Healthy Farther Away from Earth Key Station Research Topic
NASA ISS Blog: Vein Scans, Muscle Study on Station Informing Ways to Keep Crews Healthy
NASA ISS Blog: Muscle Research, Blood Tests To Promote Healthy Crews End Week

NASA: Station Science Top News: Feb., 7, 2025.

ISS – Meer nieuws uit het ruimtestation.
SmithonianMag: Could This Space Oven Allow Astronauts to Finally Cook in Space?

Filmpjes:
NASA: Space to Ground: All Heart: Feb. 14, 2025.

Commerciële ruimtestations – VAST.
NSF: Vast space station qualification article passes major milestone.

Filmpje:
NSF: The Race to Replace the ISS | VAST's American-Made Space Station.

CSS – Meer nieuws uit het Chinese ruimtestation.
ECNS: China's space station to welcome more commercial spaceflights in 2025

Filmpjes:
CCTV+: Shenzhou-18 Astronaut Shares Fun Surprises in Space.
CCTV+: Chinese Shenzhou-18 Crew Share Gripping Moments of Confronting Abyssal Darkness During Spacewalk.
CCTV+: China's Shenzhou-19 Crew Marks 100 Days in Orbit, Celebrates Chinese New Year.
CNSA Watcher: Astronauts on Tiangong space station play darts during Lunar New Year.
CNSA Watcher: Tiangong Space Station Celebrates Lunar New Year with Shenzhou-19 Crew.

Naar de Maan (en Mars).

Artemis 2 – Mensen rond de Maan.
NASA: NASA Invites Media to Artemis II Moon Mission Activities at Kennedy.

Filmpjes:
NASA: Artemis II to the Moon: Launch to Splashdown (NASA Mission Animation).
Philip Sloss: NASA continues to get Artemis II, III ready to fly.

Artemis 3 – Opnieuw mensen op de Maan / HLS.
SpaceCom: Risks with current Artemis 3 moon landing plan 'may be too high,' NASA safety group says.

Artemis 4 – Gateway.
NASA: Lunar Space Station Module Will Journey to US ahead of NASA’s Artemis IV Moon Mission.
NASA: NASA Readies Moon Rocket for the Future with Manufacturing Innovation – SLS/EUS.

Artemis – Naar de Maan en Mars.
Space News: U.S.-Japan statement mentions Artemis amid uncertainty about its future.

SpaceNews: NASA to continue using Artemis crew transport vans from bankrupt manufacturer.

NASA (filmpje): Embracing Commercial Capabilities with Lunar Relays.
Universe Today: A Blown-Glass Structure Could House Astronauts on the Moon.

NASA Watch: So Long SLS? (And Gateway, Orion, Artemis?).

SpaceCom: NASA and General Atomics test nuclear fuel for future moon and Mars missions.
NPR: What it would take to send people to Mars.

ILRS – China naar de Maan.
ECNS: China announces names of spacesuit and crewed lunar rover – Wangyu / Tansuo.
Inside Outer Space: China’s Human Moon Exploration Plans Move Forward.

Filmpje:
CNSA Watcher: CNSA unveils lunar suit "Wangyu" and lunar rover "Tansuo" for astronauts on the moon.
SciNews: The Wangyu Lunar Spacesuit and the Tansuo Lunar Rover.

Starship – Opbouwen naar IFT 8.
Space Explored: Starship’s Florida presence will be much larger than in Starbase.
SpaceCom: SpaceX test-fires Starship megarocket and Super Heavy booster ahead of next launch.

Filmpjes:
NSF: Booster 15 Ready For Testing Ahead of Starship Flight 8 | SpaceX Boca Chica.
NSF: SpaceX Performs Static Fire with Booster 15 for Starship Flight 8.
LabPadre Space: SpaceX Doesn't Stop Building Ahead of Starship's Flight 8 - SpaceX Weekly #153.
Space Capital: How Starship Makes SpaceX Dominant in the Satellite Race.
NSF: Starship Flight 8 Testing Begins With A 33 Engine Static Fire | Starbase Update.
NSF: SpaceX Performs Longest Ever Ship Static Fire with Ship 34.
NSF: "I Promise You Starbase Did Not Explode" | SpaceX Boca Chica.
Marcus House: SpaceX Just Smashed Multiple Records! Wow!

Op ontdekking door het zonnestelsel.

CLPS – Blue Ghost Mission 1 – In een baan om de Maan.
NASA Blog: More NASA Science Received During Earth Orbit, Firefly Begins Lunar Transit Phase.
NASA Blog: Blue Ghost Remains on Track, Lunar Orbit Insertion Burn Complete.
NASA: NASA Sets Coverage of Firefly’s First Robotic Commercial Moon Landing

SpaceCom: Firefly's Blue Ghost lunar lander leaves Earth orbit to head for the moon.
Payload: Blue Ghost Completes Trans Lunar Injection, Prepares for Landing.
Space News: Blue Ghost 1 enters lunar orbit as Resilience flies by the moon.
SpaceCom: Welcome to the moon! Firefly's Blue Ghost lander reaches lunar orbit.

The Space Review: What makes a lunar landing mission “successful”?

Filmpjes:
Firefly Aerospace: On Our Way to the Moon! Blue Ghost Week 4 Update.
Above Space: How to navigate to the moon?

Firefly Aerospace: Hello Moon.

iSpace en Hakuto R Mission 2.
SpaceCom: Japan's Resilience lunar lander prepares for 1st swing around the moon.

CLPS – 09.2025 – Griffin Mission 1.
Sky & Telescope: New rover will head to the moon in Viper’s place.

CLPS – 2026 – Intuitive Machines IM 3 – CADRE.
NASA: Giving NASA’s CADRE a Hand.
NASA (filmpje): Preparing NASA’s CADRE Moon Rovers for Launch.

Nieuws uit de (inter)planetaire ruimte.

Ruimteweer:
SpaceCom: Space weather scales are outdated and confusing. Here's what NOAA scientists are doing about it.
Space News: Solar flares in May 2024 revealed Earth’s vulnerability to space weather.

Zon:
Sky & Telescope: European Solar Orbiter Traces Origin of Solar Wind.

Aarde:
NASA: NASA-Led Study Pinpoints Areas Sinking, Rising Along California Coast.
ESA: Sentinel-1C demonstrates power to map land deformation.
ESA (filmpje): Meet Biomass.
ESA (filmpje): Biomass instrument in action.
ESA (filmpje): Biomass in the acoustic chamber.

Maan:
Space News: Pakistan rover to fly on China’s Chang’e-8 lunar south pole mission.

Mars:
NASA Curiosity Status Report: Sols 4447–4449: Looking Back at the Marker Band Valley.
NASA Curiosity Status Report: Sols 4450-4451: Making the Most of a Monday.
NASA Curiosity Status Report: Sols 4452-4453: Keeping Warm and Keeping Busy.
NASA: NASA’s Curiosity Rover Captures Colorful Clouds Drifting Over Mars.
Ars Technica: Curiosity spies stunning clouds at twilight on Mars.
Universe Today: Curiosity’s Other Important Job: Studying Martian Clouds.
SpaceCom: Perseverance rover's Mars samples show traces of ancient water, but NASA needs them on Earth to seek signs of life.
ECNS: China develops ground-air dual-mode drone for Mars exploration featuring lightweight, energy-efficiency.
Inside Outer Space: China Mars Exploration: Taking to the Air.

Planetoïden – 2024 YR4 (e.a.).
Scott Manley (filmpje): How We Could Stop Asteroid 2024 YR4 From Hitting The Earth.
The Planetary Society (filmpje): Near-Earth Asteroid 2024 YR4 and NASA under a new administration - Planetary Radio.
NPR: An asteroid could hit Earth in 7 years. Here's how astronomers are tracking it.
SpaceCom: What would happen if the OSIRIS-REx asteroid Bennu smashed into Earth in 2182?

Meer ruimtevaartnieuws.

Het belang van de ruimte.
Payload: New Bill Would Classify Space as Critical Infrastructure.

US en China.
Space News: China’s DeepSeek AI signals faster path to space autonomy.
SpaceCom: A red moon: Will the next 'Sputnik Moment' be made in China?
Space News: Space security at crossroads: Report urges U.S.-China dialogue.
Payload: US Should Create Space ‘Hotline’ With China, CFR says.
SEI: China’s space policy: (no longer so) slow and relentless.
Reuters: China builds space alliances in Africa as Trump cuts foreign aid.

Russisch ruimtevaartagentschap Roskosmos krijgt nieuwe baas.
Zie ook vorige NUDR.
Ars Technica: After Putin sacked Russia’s space chief, the rumor mill is running red-hot.
Russian Space Web: Putin fires Roskosmos chief.

Trump, Elon en Isaacman – Trump stuurt Amerika naar Mars.
Space Policy Online: New Space Subcommittee Chair backs Moon first, then Mars.
Payload: Space CEOs Pitch Tech For Trump’s Push to Mars.
SpaceCom: Moon or Mars? Why not both, acting NASA head Janet Petro says.

Space News: Congress seeks NASA authorization, commercial space bills.

NewsWeek: NASA Moon Records Suddenly Go Missing.

Trump en de Iron Dome – Missile Defense Shield.
Payload: How to Build the Iron Dome For America.
Space News: Space Development Agency seeks industry input on integrating satellite network into ‘Iron Dome’.
Defense One: America’s ‘Iron Dome’ is going to need a lot more sensors: NORTHCOM.
Breaking Defense: What America’s Iron Dome effort should learn from Israel’s air defense systems.

Trump, Elon en Isaacman.
Satellite Today: Ontario to Cancel Starlink Contract Over Trump Tariffs.
Teslarati: Elon Musk responds to Ontario canceling $100M Starlink deal amid tariff drama.
TechDirt: Ontario Cancels, Then Restores $100 Million Starlink Contract Over Trump’s Ignorant Tariff Threats.

NASA Watch: Smile For The D.O.G.E. Pix.
Space News: DOGE to examine NASA payments.

Payload: Lawmakers Direct GAO Review of FAA’s Part 450.

SpaceCom: Scientists alarmed as Rubin Observatory changes biography of astronomer Vera Rubin amid Trump's push to end DEI efforts.

Reuters: Exclusive: Trump Air Force nominee arranged satellite contract in manner that favored Musk's SpaceX.

SpaceCom: Who is Janet Petro, Trump's pick for acting NASA administrator?

pLEO Task Order voor Viasat.
Space News: U.S. Space Force awards Viasat $3.5 million satellite services contract.
Via Satellite: Viasat Awarded Task Order for US Space Force PLEO Contract.

PWSA – Tranche 3 Tracking Layer.
ExecutivGov: SDA Issues Draft RFI for Tranche 3 Tracking Layer.

Space Force Nieuws.
Space News: Space Force pushing forward with acquisition reforms.
Defense One: Space Force warns industry on cost overruns.
Defense News: Pentagon acquisition office orders review of Space Development Agency.
Via Satellite: US Space Force Looks to Accelerate Shift to Fixed-Price Contracts.
Air & Space Forces: Space Force General Wants ‘More Aggressive’ Acquisition Reforms.

Space News: Satellite startup Apex wins $45.9 million Space Force contract – TacRS.

SSA – Space Situational Awareness / STM – Space Traffic Management.
SWF: SWF Publishes Updated Fact Sheet on Space Situational Awareness.

Space News: US space traffic system upgrade still targeting 2025 amid bid protest.
Space News: Senators reintroduce bill to authorize Commerce’s space traffic coordination system.
Space News: U.S. military space tracking systems strain under new threats.

Ruimteafval – Zero Debris.
Space News: Researchers propose UN goal to curb space debris.
ESA: Technological ‘to-do list’ to reach Zero Debris created.
ESA: Zero Debris Technical Booklet Published!
Universe Today: What Will It Take To Reach Zero Space Debris?

Space News: Astroscale and ClearSpace reach development milestone for dual-satellite deorbit mission.

In-Space Refueling.
Via Satellite: Astroscale Secures Japanese Contract for In-Space Refueling Technology Development.
European Spaceflight: ESA to Launch In-Orbit Refuelling Demonstration Mission.
Space News: Redwire lands new satellite contract for Space Force in-orbit refueling experiment – Tetra.

In-Orbit Logistics / Satellite Servicing / In-Space Assembly / In-Space Manufacturing.
Space News: Space Force still mapping out strategy for in-orbit logistics and satellite services.
Space News: Satellite servicing companies face reality check.

Space Voyaging: Momentus Expands Defense Department Contract for In-Space Assembly Demonstration.
Space News: DARPA’s in-space manufacturing program advances with two teams selected for orbital demos.

Zonneënergie vanuit de ruimte.
Live Science: China plans to build enormous solar array in space — and it could collect more energy in a year than 'all the oil on Earth'.

Veel lees- en kijkplezier,

Koen