Belangrijk voor Europa was de geslaagde lancering van een Ariane 6, deze keer met extra krachtige vastebrandstofraketten. En zo ook belangrijk voor Amazon Leo dat nog eens een reeks nieuwe satellieten in een baan om de Aarde kreeg. En volgende week kijken we uit naar de lancering van de laatste Pegasus XL, met LINK die de volgende maanden – als alles goed gaat – de SWIFT-ruimtetelescoop in een hogere baan moet duwen. Dat en nog veel meer deze week in het Nieuws Uit De Ruimtevaart.

Bij de foto: Op de foto zie je enerzijds de Cargo Dragon CRS34. De onbemande capsule vertrok afgelopen week bij het ISS en keerde naar Aarde terug, volgeladen met o.a. resultaten van allerlei experimenten. Anderzijds zie je ook een deel van de robotarm, beter bekend als Canadarm2. Deze is defect en moet hersteld worden m.b.v. een ruimtewandeling. Foto: NASA.

Belgisch ruimtevaartnieuws.

Aetherspace en de REXUS/BEXUS campagne.
Vorige week werd in Duitsland een Critical Design Review afgerond. Meer details in dit Linkedin-bericht.

KRABS aan boord van de SubOrbital Express-5.
Zie dit Linkedin bericht van Lambda-X/Verhaert High-Tech.

PROBA 3 gaat door tot 2028.
BELSPO: Succesvolle Proba-3-missie verlengd tot 2028

ASGARD 2026.
KMI: Onderwijsproject Asgard 2026: Het plateau van Ukkel verwelkomt bijna 100 studenten voor een wetenschappelijke dag

De lanceringen van de afgelopen week.

15.06.2026 – Chinese Kinetica 1 (Lijian-1) lanceert 8 satellieten.
ECNS: Kinetica 1 rocket places eight remote-sensing satellites into orbit.
ECNS (foto’s): China's rocket launches 8 satellites into orbit.
PanDaily: Mission, Commercial Space Sector Reaches Scale.

Filmpjes:
CCTV: China Launches 8 Satellites into Orbit.
SciNews: Lijian-1 launches 8 satellites.
CCTV: China's Commercial Space Firms Report Revenue Rebounds in Q1.
CCTV: China Plans Monthly Lijian-1 Launch in This Year's Latter Half.

15.06.2026 – SpaceX lanceert Starlink-satellieten – Group 17-54 (VSFB).
Spaceflight Now: SpaceX launches its first Falcon 9 rocket since Nasdaq debut.
SpaceCom: SpaceX sends 24 Starlink satellites to orbit on 1st launch as a public company (video).
Satellite Pro ME: Starlink constellation grows as SpaceX deploys 29 more satellites.

Filmpjes:
SpaceX via X: Watch Falcon 9 launch 24 Starlink satellites to orbit from California.
SciNews: SpaceX Starlink 398 launch and Falcon 9 first stage landing, 15 June 2026.

16.06.2026 – Return to flight – Chinese LM-3B/E lanceert Shijian-31.
China in Space: Long March 3B/E Triumphantly Returns to Flight With Shijian Spacecraft [Long March 3B/E].

Filmpjes:
CGTN (shorts): China launches new satellite into space.
SciNews: Long March-3B launches Shijian-31.

17.06.2026 – Chinese LM-12 lanceert SatNet LEO Group 22.
China in Space: GuoWang Adds Nine More Satellites to Earth Orbit Constellation [Long March 12 Y7].
ECNS (foto’s): China sends new batch of low-orbit internet satellites into space.

Filmpjes:
CCTV: Long March-12 Rocket Launches New Internet Satellite Group.
SciNews: Long March-12 launches SatNet LEO Group 22.

17.06.2026 – Chinese Kuaizhou-11 lanceert (mogelijk) 7 navigatiesatellieten CentiSpace-1 Group 05.
Er is enige onduidelijk over de afloop van deze lancering. Zo zijn er geruchten dat niet alle satellieten zouden uitgezet zijn. De 7 waarvan sprake werden door Amerikaanse radars opgepikt.
Space News: China conducts 4 launches in 3 days, but silence follows Kuaizhou–11 launch.
China in Space: ExPace Rocket Disappears After Liftoff From Jiuquan [Kuaizhou-11].

Filmpjes:
CCTV: China's Kuaizhou-11 Launches Satellite Group.
SciNews: Kuaizhou-11 launches CentiSpace 05.

17.06.2026 – SpaceX lanceert 3 BlueBird satellieten.
SpaceCom: Watch SpaceX launch 3 huge BlueBird direct-to-cell satellites from Florida early on June 17.

Filmpjes:
SpaceX via X: Watch Falcon 9 launch the AST_SpaceMobile BlueBird 8-10 mission to orbit.
SciNews: Falcon 9 launches BlueBird 8-10 and Falcon 9 first stage landing.

17.06.2026 – Ariane 64 lanceert Amazon Leo (LE-03) – Eerste keer met de P160C.
Laat ons beginnen met een reeks voorbeschouwingen.
ESA: Date is set for bigger booster, more powerful Ariane 6.
Arianespace: Arianespace to launch 36 Amazon Leo satellites with an Ariane 64 equipped with advanced boosters on June 17, 2026.

De persmap kan je hier downloaden.

ESA (infographic): Europe's solid-propellant rocket motors in use: P120C and P160C.
ESA (infographic): Europe's largest solid-propellant rocket motors.

Space News: Next Ariane 6 launch to carry 36 Amazon Leo satellites using upgraded boosters.
European Spaceflight: Launch of Most Powerful Ariane 6 to Date Set for 17 June.
Ars Technica: Among the large new rockets Amazon was counting on, only Europe has delivered.

En dan de lancering.
European Spaceflight: Arianespace CEO Says Strike Will Not Affect Ariane 6 Launch.
Arianespace: Arianespace successfully launches 36 additional Amazon Leo satellites with an Ariane 64 equipped with advanced boosters.
ESA: Ariane 6 launches with more powerful boosters: a new record for Europe.
ESA: N° 32–2026: Ariane 6 gelanceerd met krachtigere boosters: een nieuw record voor Europa.

Space News: Upgraded Ariane 6 launches Amazon Leo satellites.
Spaceflight Now: Arianespace launches its heaviest payload to date with Amazon Leo flight.
SpaceCom: European rocket launches record-breaking mission with Amazon internet satellites.

GeekWire: Amazon Leo’s leaders provide an inside look at the satellite broadband network’s past and future.

Filmpjes:
ESA: Ariane 6: Same rocket, new boost.
ESA: Ariane 6 flight VA269 – bigger and more powerful boosters (Official broadcast).
ESA: Launch of the first Ariane 6 with its most powerful boosters.
SciNews: Ariane 6 launches Amazon Leo 3 (LE-03).

18.06.2026 – SpaceX lanceert NROL-179.
SpaceCom: SpaceX launches new batch of US spy satellites from California.
Spaceflight Now: SpaceX launches intelligence-gathering satellites for the National Reconnaissance Office.

Filmpjes:
SpaceX via X: Watch Falcon 9 launch the NRO_gov’s NROL-179 mission from pad 4E in California.
SciNews: NROL-179 launch and Falcon 9 first stage landing.

Te verwachten lanceringen.

15.06.2026 – SCRUB – Isar/Spectrum – Onward and Upward.
ESA: Spectrum’s qualifying second launch.
NSF: Isar Aerospace set for second launch of Spectrum rocket after weeks of delays.

Maar uiteindelijk werd op 15.06 de countdown voortijdig afgebroken.
Ars Technica: Key mission for Europe’s commercial space enterprise scrubbed again.

27.06.2026 – Om naar uit te kijken – De redding van SWIFT.
NASA: NASA to Showcase Mission to Boost Swift Spacecraft’s Orbit.
SpaceCom: NASA is hatching a 'fast-paced plan' to boost this space telescope. But first, they'll have to find it.
SpaceCom: Satellite-boosting spacecraft inside air-launched rocket | Space photo of the day for June 12, 2026.

NASA: NASA to Preview Katalyst Mission to Boost Swift Spacecraft’s Orbit.
SpaceCom: NASA discussing bold mission to boost Swift space telescope today: Listen live.
Space News: Swift reboost mission ready for launch.
SpaceCom: 'No one thought it was going to be possible.' A space telescope is falling out of space. This is NASA's daring plan to save it.
Ars Technica: A bold satellite rescue mission came together in record time, but will it work?

Space News: NASA interested in Hubble reboost if costs can be reduced.
Space News: Katalyst Space raises $12 million for GEO servicing demo mission – Nexus GEO.
Payload: Katalyst Raises $12M to Extend Satellite Servicing to GEO.

VRTNWS: NASA stuurt reddingsmissie naar ruimtetelescoop die op aarde dreigt neer te storten.

Filmpje:
Scott Manley: NASA's Project Hail Mary - Last Minute, High Risk, High Reward Rescue Mission.
NASA: Mission Preview: NASA-Katalyst Swift Orbit Boost (June 17, 2026).
NASA: NASA's Swift Mission Gets a Boost.

Nog enkele vorige lanceringen.

09.06.2026 – Na geslaagde lancering “ontploft” de Zhuque-2E Upper Stage – Extra ruimteafval.
Ars Technica: A Chinese rocket breaks apart dangerously close to the Starlink constellation.

11.06.2026 – Geheimzinnigheid rond de recentste HASTE-lancering. Ging de suborbitale lancering orbitaal (of niet)?
Gizmodo: Did Rocket Lab Accidentally Launch a Rocket to Orbit?

Raketnieuws.

Oorzaak mislukte eerste lancering Chinese Ceres 2 gekend.
China in Space: Galactic Energy Says Ceres-2 Debut Failure Caused by Faulty Nozzle.

Blue Origin start werken aan New Glenn lanceerpad.
Reuters: Blue Origin starts launch pad rebuild, targets New Glenn rocket return in 2026.
Space News: Blue Origin begins rebuilding New Glenn pad.

Filmpje:
Blue Origin: BE-7 Engine Longest Duration Hotfire.

Relativity Space en Terran R.
NSF: Terran R second stage heads to Stennis as Relativity advances toward 2026 debut.

Meer geld voor Dawn Aerospace.
Space News: Dawn Aerospace raises $25 million.
Payload: Dawn Aerospace Raises $25M Series B.

Het Franse Sirius Space Services gaat lanceren vanop het CSG.
European Spaceflight: Sirius Space Selected to Fill Launch Facility Vacancy Left by MaiaSpace.

Het Franse Latitude en hun Zephyr-raket.
European Spaceflight: Latitude Ditches the Name Zephyr for Its Two-Stage Rocket.

Het is nog even wachten op de Chinese Lange Mars 10B.
In april werd nog verwacht dat de eerste lancering niet lang meer op zich zou laten wachten.
21.04 - China in Space: Reusable Long March 10B Debut Flight Expected No Earlier Than April 28th.
Maar het zal nog even wachten zijn.
18.06 - China in Space: Reusable Long March 10B Has Been Stuck on the Ground Ahead of Debut.

Wenchang Commercial Space Launch Site – Een 30 LM8 lanceringen per jaar.
China in Space: Wenchang Prepares for up to Thirty Long March 8 Missions per Year.

Bezoekers welkom op de Oriental Spaceport in Haiyang.
CGTN: China's commercial spaceport opens rocket launches to the public.

Spark Space en hun elektrisch aangedreven raketmotor.
Eerder ook in NUDR 206/23-806
Space News: Chinese startup Spark Space tests engine, raises funds for electric-pump rocket.

Een stukje ruimtevaartgeschiedenis (Space Shuttle op Vandenberg) gaat verloren.
Space Force: Vandenberg SFB modernizes historic Space Launch Complex SLC-6 for next-generation launch operations.
Collect Space: Towers for California shuttle launches demolished for SpaceX rockets.
Ars Technica: Towers once planned for California shuttle launches leveled for SpaceX rockets.

Een nieuw lanceerplatform op Cape Caneveral ?
Florida Today: U.S. military eyes new Cape Canaveral launch site near Port Canaveral.

Bemande ruimtevaart / Ruimtestations.

Gaat Ariane 6 (Europese) astronauten lanceren?
Aviation Week: ESA Eyes Ariane 6 For Human Spaceflight.

“Project Period” – Een studie over menstruatie in de ruimte – In 2027 met Virgin Galactic.
Zie deze instagram-aankondiging van Virgin Galactic op 28 mei.
SpaceCom: Menstruation in space will be studied for 1st time with 'Operation Period'.

Droptest Space Rider uitgesteld.
European Spaceflight: Anomaly Delays Full-Scale Space Rider Drop Test Until October.

Terugkeercapsules.
10.06 – SatNews: Breaking the TRL Bottleneck: Space Phoenix Systems Debuts Cost-Effective Space Test-and-Return Service.

ISS – Cargo Dragon CRS-34 vertrekt bij het ISS.
NASA: NASA’s SpaceX CRS-34 Dragon Returns Packed with Space Station Science.
SpaceCom: Home again! SpaceX Dragon cargo capsule splashes down off California coas.

Filmpjes:
NASA: NASA's SpaceX 34th Commercial Resupply Services Undocking.
SEN: Orbital: SpaceX CRS-34 Undocking (live).
SciNews: SpaceX CRS-34 Dragon undocking and departure.
SEN: SpaceX Dragon Undocks from the ISS | Stunning Views Captured by Sen.
JAXA: Small Satellite Deployment J-SSOD #37 (HOKUSHIN-1) from “Kibo”.

ISS – De lek(ken).
Ars Technica: Russia appears set to finally address long-term, serious space station cracks.
The Register: NASA said nyet to Roscosmos plan to cut into leaky ISS segment.

Filmpje:
Scott Manley: Why Can't Russia Fix The Leaks In Their Space Station Modules?

ISS – Robotarm defect – Ruimtewandeling nodig voor herstelling.
NSF: Canadarm2 repairs planned as CRS-34 departs ISS.
ESA (filmpje): Robotics at work: Dextre and Canadarm2.

ISS – De blogentries.
ISS Blog: Crew Packs Dragon for Tuesday Departure and Preps for Spacewalk.
ISS Blog: SpaceX Dragon Prepares for Undocking and Return to Earth.
ISS Blog: Dragon Undocks to Return Science Experiments to Earth.
ISS Blog: SpaceX Dragon Splashes Down in Pacific, Completes Cargo Mission.
ISS Blog: Advanced Health Research on Station Using Augmented, Virtual Reality Tools.
ISS Blog: Advanced Tech on Station Informing Space-Designed Health Treatments.

ISS – Meer nieuws uit het ruimtestation.
NASA: NASA’s Quantum Lab Aboard Space Station Gets Chilly Upgrade.

Filmpjes:
NASA: ESA astronaut discusses life in space with ESA video and French media group playback.
ESA: Sophie Adenot's mid-mission highlights.
ESA: Installing NEMUCO in BioLab.

Commerciële ruimtestations – CLD.
NASA Watch: GAO Report On Space Station Replacement.
Het GAO-rapport (17.06.2026 - Low-Earth Orbit: NASA Faces Impending Decisions for Replacing International Space Station with Commercial Stations) vind je hier (PDF). Een samenvatting vind je hier.

Nieuws uit het Chinese ruimtestation – CSS.
China in Space: Shenzhou-23 Crew Perform First Emergency Drill, Support Experiments.

Naar de Maan (en Mars).

Artemis II.
En Victor Glover ontmoet de bedenker van hun zero-gravity indicator Rise.
NASA Shorts: The young designer of Rise meets a NASA Artemis II astronaut!

Artemis III.
SpaceQ: Jeremy Hansen is ready to help with Canada’s next steps in space, Gibbons to be lead CAPCOM for Artemis III.
The Space Review: Artemis 3 take shape.
Space Scout: Artemis Under Ignition.

Filmpjes:
NASA: Artemis III Announcement Recap: Crew, Mission Details, and What’s Next.
Philip Sloss: Can SpaceX and Blue Origin finish the HLS functionality missing from Artemis III by 2028?
Scott Manley: Artemis III Won't Use Real Landers.... And That's OK.
NASA: Train Delivers Artemis III Solid Rocket Boosters to NASA Kennedy.

Artemis – Lunar Gateway.
Ars Technica: NASA asks Northrop Grumman to stop working on lunar HALO module.

Naar de Maan en Mars.
SpaceCom: Could meteor storms harm NASA's future moon missions?
SPJ: Space Radiation Sparks Hidden Cancer Risks: The Bystander Effect Unveiled

PhysOrg: Mars mission simulations reveal key to teamwork under pressure.

Universe Today: Using Plants, Astronauts Could Create Their Own Medicine.
InnovaSpace: No Medevac from Mars: Why Medical Autonomy Will Be Essential for Deep Space Missions.

SpaceCom: Do we need a lunar building code to build moon bases safely?

Moon and Asteroid Mining.
Aerospace America: AstroForge preps for second attempt at reaching an asteroid.
BBC: What is Helium-3 and could we get it from the moon?
Space News – Opinion: America’s next economic frontier is 240,000 miles away.

Starship – Voorbereidingen op Flight 13.

Filmpjes:
NSF: SpaceX Reveals Ambitious Starship Launch Plan | Starship Update.
NSF: Starship Pad 1 Reconfiguration In Full Swing | SpaceX Starbase.
WAI: SpaceX's Plan To Make Starship Reenter On Flight 14!

Op ontdekking door het zonnestelsel.

CLPS – MB-2 – Maanlander Griffin 1 wordt voorgesteld.
Astrobotic: Griffin-1 Lunar Lander Unveiled Ahead of Environmental Testing.
SpaceCom: Astrobotic unveils Griffin-1 lunar lander for NASA Moon Base mission.
Space Policy Online: Astrobotic Unveils Griffin “Moon Base II” Lander.
Spaceflight Now: Astrobotic showcases Griffin-1 lander ahead of environmental testing in California.
Space News: Astrobotic unveils Griffin-1 lunar lander.

CLPS – IM-4 – Met het Europese Prospect naar het oppervlak van de Maan.
ESA: Prospect – searching for water at the lunar poles.
ESA (filmpje): Prospect: Exploring the Moon's south pole.

Lucy en planetoïde Donaldjohanson.
De passage had plaats op 20.04.2025
NASA: NASA’s Lucy Reveals Wobbling, Peanut-Shaped Asteroid.
PhysOrg: Asteroid Donaldjohanson wobbles as it rotates, Lucy flyby reveals.
SpaceCom: Juicy new details emerge about an asteroid NASA's Lucy spacecraft flew by last year.

Relativity Space bouwt Mars-orbiter. NASA levert Aeolus.
NASA: NASA Announces Public-Private Partnership to Advance Mars Science.
Space News: Relativity Space to privately develop Mars orbiter mission.
SpaceCom: A private company will build and launch NASA's next Mars orbiter in 2028 — and it's not SpaceX.
ExecutivGov: NASA, Relativity Space Combine Capabilities for 2028 Aeolus Mars Mission.
TechCrunch: NASA picks Eric Schmidt’s rocket company for Mars mission, setting up a race with SpaceX.

NASA test allerlei rovers voor Maan en Mars.
NASA: NASA Testing Advanced Capabilities for Moon, Mars Rovers - ERNEST.
NASA (foto’s): Desert Field Test With NASA Advanced Rover Prototype.
Een bijbehorend filmpje vind je hier.
NASA: NASA Equips Astronauts, Industry with Robotic Intelligence.

Meer nieuws uit de (inter)planetaire ruimte.

Aarde:
ESA: Pacific warming signals El Niño has stirred.
PhysOrg: How satellite technology can protect the world's drinking water.
NASA: NASA Mission to Study Space Weather Impacts of Earth’s Atmosphere – DAPHNE.
Space News: NASA selects mission to study space weather interaction with Earth’s atmosphere.
GovConWire: Eight Companies Added to NASA’s Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition Contract.
SpaceQ: GHGSat 2025 report reveals widespread methane emissions and reporting gaps.

Maan:
PhysOrg: How a shape-shifting tiny rover inspired by Japanese toys autonomously explored the moon – SLIM – LEV/SORA-Q.
Payload: Instinct Space (UK) Unveils Plans for Low-Cost Lunar Landers.
Science Alert: Moon Impact 3.5 Billion Years Ago Hints at Hidden Era of Solar System.

Mars:
NASA Curisoity Status Report: Curiosity Blog, Sols 4920-4926: Surveying the Bands.
SpaceCom: NASA's Perseverance rover just ran a marathon on Mars. Could you do the same?
Science News: NASA seems to be backing away from hunting for life on Mars.
ESA Blog: One robotic arm to rule them all.
ESA: One robotic arm to rule them all  - Sample Transfer Arm – STA – MSR.
ESA: Dozens of dust devils hidden in plain sight.
ESA: Dust devils galore: Mars Express visits Mamers Valles on Mars - Mars Express.
SpaeCom: 'Best. Mars. Mission. Ever.' Scientists hail MAVEN's legacy as NASA retires Red Planet orbiter.

Planetoïde Kamo’oalewa:
Space News: Tianwen-2 makes series of burns on approach to asteroid, according to radio tracking .
Live Sciences: A secretive Chinese probe has just arrived at one of Earth's 'quasi-moons' and will soon attempt a first-of-its-kind landing.

Planetoïde Apophis:
Space News: Chinese university-led mission to study asteroid Apophis during close encounter with Earth – START.

De 9de planeet:
SciTechDaily: Is Planet Nine Real? New Discovery at the Edge of the Solar System Adds a Twist.

Meer ruimtevaartnieuws.

Oorzaak miljoenschade aan 70m antenne Deep Space Network in Goldstone door NASA bekend gemaakt.
NASA: NASA Concludes Antenna Mishap Investigation, Releases Report.
Het betrokken rapport - Deep Space Station 14 (DSS-14) Azimuth Over-Rotation Mishap - vind je hier (PDF).
Space News: Deep Space Network antenna mishap blamed on poor training and procedures.

Minder geostatioinaire satellieten heeft zo zijn gevolgen.
Space News: GEO cancellations complicate space insurance recovery.

Na SpaceX IPO zakken aandelen andere ruimtevaartfirma’s. En ander Space IPI nieuws.
Reuters: Space stocks slump as blistering rally cools after SpaceX market debut.
Payload: Space Stocks Dip After SpaceX IPO.

Ars Technica: Before SpaceX IPO, investors in China secretly acquired stakes.

VRTNWS: Aandeel SpaceX verliest terrein op Wall Street na spectaculaire beursgang.

ESA en ILA 2026 in Bremen – 06.2026.
ESA: ESA at ILA 2026 – Day 1 highlights.
ESA: ESA at ILA 2026 – Day 2 highlights.

Filmpje:
ESA: ILA Berlin 2026: ESA Director General press conference.

ESA’s 347th Council Meeting in Parijs.
The Space Review: Sovereign capability and assured access: a tension in Europe’s space strategy.
ESA: ESA Council appoints two new directors (waaronder een Belg).
Belga: ESA Names Belgian Jan-Luc Trullemans as new strategy director.

Space News – Opinion: After the launch: Why Europe’s space ambitions depend on what comes next.

Filmpjes:
ESA: 347th ESA Council: Media information session.

SpaceX en het Europese IRIS2.
Luxembourg Times: SpaceX criticises EU proposal for satellite spectrum tender.

Europa en de (militaire) ruimtevaart.
17.06 – European Spaceflight: France Awards Eutelsat €138 Million Contract to Provide Secure Communications.

Lockheed Martin krijgt contract voor 2 extra GPS III satellieten.
Lockheed Martin: Lockheed Martin Secures $514M U.S. Space Force Contract for GPS IIIF SV23 & 24, Boosting Future Constellation Resiliency.
Space News: Space Force orders two more GPS satellites from Lockheed Martin for $514 million.

Een filmpje:
Lockheed Martin (shorts): Modernizing the GPS Constellation.

Space Force / Golden Dome.
12.06 – SpaceCom: Why is the US Space Force researching 'orbital warehouses'? – Provisioner – Otter.
15.06 - Space News: DARPA to explore ways to rapidly rebuild satellite networks if attacked.
16.06 – Payload: Bill Spotlight: NEW HORIZON Act.
18.06 - Payload Space: True Anomaly Declares Mission X-3 Success.
18.06 – Popular Mechanics: China Brought Soviet Space Missiles ‘Back From the Dead.’ They’re a Threat to the U.S., Official Warns – FOBS.
19.06 – Space News: Northrop Grumman says industry ready to scale solid rocket production, with longer contracts.
19.06 – GovConWire: Golden Dome Update: Congressional Scrutiny, Industry Opportunities & New Acquisition Approaches.

Veel lees- en kijkplezier,

Koen