Het is een boeiend ruimtevaartjaar en het wordt ongetwijfeld een boeiende ruimtevaartzomer. Er is na al die jaren plots een sprintje tussen Branson en Bezos. Wie gaat als eerste de ruimte in? Ondertussen staan de Russen (eindelijk) klaar om Nauka te lanceren, een nieuwe module voor het Russische segment van het ruimtestation. En dat terwijl de Chinezen hun ruimtestation volop aan het activeren zijn. Met plannen tussen China en Rusland om een maanbasis uit te bouwen. Op Mars wordt er gereden en gevlogen alsof we er nooit iets anders gedaan hebben. En SpaceX is nog altijd van plan om deze zomer Starship in een baan om de Aarde te lanceren. Enig minpunt … de problemen met de Hubble Space Telescope. Dat en nog veel meer in het Nieuws Uit De Ruimtevaart van deze week.

Bij de foto: Het gaat niet goed met de Hubble Space Telescope. Daar waar NASA eerst dacht dat het probleem bij het computergeheugen lag, lijkt na verder onderzoek het probleem elders te liggen. Foto: NASA.

Iraanse lancering loopt weer fout af.
CNN: Pentagon tracked failed Iranian satellite launch and new images reveal Tehran is set to try again.

Russische Soyuz lanceert SIGINT.
TASS: Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket launched from Plesetsk space center — Defense Ministry.
NasaSpaceFlight: Russia’s Soyuz launches Pion-NKS naval intelligence satellite.

Filmpjes:
Russisch Ministerie van Defensie: Launch of Soyuz-2 launch vehicle from Plesetsk Cosmodrome.
SciNews: Soyuz-2.1b launches Kosmos-2550.

Virgin Galactic krijgt licentie om “spaceflight participants” te lanceren. Branson voor Bezos de ruimte in?
Space News: Virgin Galactic cleared to fly customers on SpaceShipTwo.
Parabolic Arc: Virgin Galactic Gets Operator’s License to Fly Passengers to Edge of Space.

CNBC: Virgin Galactic jumps 35% after getting the green light from the FAA to fly passengers to space.

Firstpost: Jeff Bezos' space trip: How far Amazon boss is going, how he'll get back and how safe it is.
Reuters: Bezos' 2021 Space Odyssey a risk too far for insurers.

GeekWire: Leave Jeff Bezos in space? Way-out petitions attract more than 100,000 signatures.

Filmpje:
Space Toughts: Virgin Galactic Launch License and New Mexico Spaceflight Informed Consent Act.

SpaceX stelt rideshare lancering – Transporter 2 – uit.
Teslarati: SpaceX rocket ready for second rideshare launch with 100+ small satellites.
Teslarati: SpaceX’s 20th Falcon 9 launch of 2021 slips to Monday.

Spaceflight Now: SpaceX postpones second Transporter rideshare launch.
Space Upclose: SpaceX completes successful Flacon 9 static fire test then postpones Transporer-2 rideshare liftoff (photos).

Space News: Leaf Space expands ground station network ahead of busy SpaceX ride-share mission.
Parabolic Arc: Spaceflight Inc. Readies 36 Customer Spacecraft and Two OTVs for Launch on SpaceX’s Transporter-2 Mission.
Spaceflight:  Who’s onboard SCRS-5 (SpaceX Transporter 2).
Space News: Space Development Agency to launch five satellites aboard SpaceX rideshare.
DefenseGov: Aboard Commercial Rocket, Space Defense Agency Sends Up Satellites for First Time.

Brengen problemen met Blue Origin’s BE-4 ULA’s Vulcan in problemen?
NASA Watch: GAO: Blue Origin Engine Problems Threaten ULA Vulcan Progress.
Parabolic Arc: GAO: Blue Origin BE-4 Engine Technical Issues Threaten ULA’s Vulcan Booster Schedule.

Parabolic Arc: ULA’s Bruno Denies Igniter Problems with Vulcan Centaur’s BE-4 Engine.

In verband met problemen tijdens een Atlas V lancering:
Space News: ULA delays further use of enhanced upper-stage engine pending studies.

Nog dit:
Aviation Week: Podcast: Interview With ULA’s Tory Bruno.

Rusland voelt sancties.
TASS: US bars S7 from using Sea Launch spaceport to compete with Musk, says Roscosmos.
TASS: Roscosmos unable to launch some satellites due to sanctions — Rogozin.
TASS: Russia owns enough rockets to grab top spot in number of space launches, says Roscosmos.

JamestownOrg: Roscosmos Suffers From Russia’s Confrontation With the US.

Commercial Crew – Starliner wordt klaar gemaakt voor onbemande testvlucht (OFT-2).
Spaceflight Now: Starliner capsule fueled for unpiloted test flight to International Space Station.
SpaceCom: 'Rosie the Rocketeer' dummy buckles up for Boeing's 2nd Starliner launch test.
NasaSpaceFlight: ULA, Boeing, and NASA prepare for uncrewed and crewed Starliner flight tests.

SpaceCom: Starliner: Boeing's next-generation spaceship.

Toerisme – Inspiration4.
Video From Space: Hayley Arceneaux talks Inspiration4 spaceflight in exclusive interview.

ISS – De blogentries, Daily Summary Reports en Science Highlights.
NASA Space Station Blog: NASA TV Broadcasts Solar Array Spacewalk on Sunday.
NASA Space Station Blog: NASA TV is Live as Astronauts Get Ready for Spacewalk.
NASA Space Station Blog: Astronauts Begin Spacewalk to Complete Solar Array Installation.
NASA Space Station Blog: Spacewalkers Successfully Deploy Solar Arrays.
NASA Space Station Blog: Spacewalkers Complete First Roll Out Solar Array Installation.
NASA Space Station Blog: Astronauts Look to Friday Spacewalk after Roll Out Solar Array Installation.
NASA Space Station Blog: Crew Looks to Friday Spacewalk, Cargo Ship Swap Next Week.
NASA Space Station Blog: Afternoon of Spacewalk Preps during Full Day of Physics, Biology.
NASA Space Station Blog: Astronauts Get Ready for Spacewalk While Science Continues.
NASA Space Station Blog: NASA TV Goes Live on Friday for Third Spacewalk in June.
NASA Space Station Blog: NASA TV is Live Now as Astronauts Ready for Spacewalk.
NASA Space Station Blog: Astronauts Begin Spacewalk to Install New Solar Array.
NASA Space Station Blog: Second of the New Solar Arrays Successfully Deployed.
NASA Space Station Blog: Spacewalkers Complete Second Roll Out Solar Array Installation.

NASA: ISS Daily Summary Report – 06/17/2021.
NASA: ISS Daily Summary Report – 06/18/2021.
NASA: ISS Daily Summary Report – 06/21/2021.
NASA: ISS Daily Summary Report – 06/22/2021.
NASA: ISS Daily Summary Report – 06/23/2021.
NASA: ISS Daily Summary Report – 06/24/2021.

Space Station Science Highlights: Week of June 21, 2021.

ISS – Ruimtewandelingen en zonnepanelen.
NasaSpaceFlight: ESA/NASA complete ISS spacewalk to install first new solar array.
Spaceflight Now: Spacewalking astronauts install second upgraded solar array.

Filmpjes:
NASA: Spacewalk to Install New International Space Station Solar Arrays (live uitzending).
EuroNews: ISS astronauts make second spacewalk to install powerful solar panels.

ESA: Spacewalk season timelapse, episode 1.
ESA: Spacewalk season timelapse, episode 2.

ISS – Meer nieuws uit het ruimtestation.
NASA: NASA to Air Northrop Grumman Cygnus Departure from Space Station.
NASA: NASA to Air Launch, Docking of Roscosmos Cargo Ship to Space Station.

RoomEU: The coolest experiment on the ISS.
SpaceRef: Report: NASA Should Update Astronaut Radiation Exposure Limits.

PhysOrg: Dirty laundry in space? NASA, Tide tackle cleaning challenge.
Collect Space: Tide to develop first laundry detergent for astronauts on space station.

Spacepage: Maak kennis met Nauka!
ESA: European Robotic Arm attached to Nauka.

Filmpjes:
NASA: SpaceCast Weekly - June 18, 2021.
NASA: Space to Ground: Power Installation: 06/25/2021.
Airbus Defence and Space: Bartolomeo Video Series, Ep#5: A Few Easy Steps to Space.

CSS – Meer beelden uit het Chinese ruimtestation.
ECNS: Foreign peers laud China's feat in space.
ECNS: Xi talks with astronauts stationed in space station core module.

SpaceCom: Chinese astronauts enjoying 120 dishes during space station stay.

SpaceCom: Russia wants to send cosmonauts to China space station.

ECNS: China's space-tracking ship back from monitoring missions.

SpaceCom: China is readying Shenzhou 13 spacecraft in case of space station emergency.

Filmpjes:
CGTN: Why were the three taikonauts selected for the Shenzhou-12 mission?
CCTV: Footage of Chinese Astronauts Training Underwater for Weightlessness of Space Released.
CCTV: How amazing is the robotic arm on China's space station?| CCTV English.
SciNews: The Tianhe core module has Hall-effect thrusters.

CGTN: Live: Special coverage on Shenzhou-12 crewed mission to Chinese Space Station.
CCTV: LIVE: Chinese President Xi Jinping Talks with Astronauts in Tianhe Core Module.

CGTN: Xi Jinping visits Beijing Aerospace Control Center.
New China TV: Xi speaks with Chinese astronauts in space station.

CGTN: Can astronauts take a shower in China's space station?
CCTV: Chinese Astronauts Enjoy 120 Kinds of Food During Space Missions.
CGTN: A look at astronauts' daily life on Tianhe core module.
CCTV: Chinese Astronauts Can Enjoy Hearty Meals amid Fulfillment of Tasks in Space Station.
CCTV: It is reported that Chinese Taikonauts are starting an 'eating show' in space?| CCTV English.
CCTV: Three months in space, how taikonauts take their baths?| CCTV English.
New China TV: SPACELink: Shenzhou-12 astronauts adapting to their new home in space.

CCTV: EVA Spacesuit Moved out of Cargo Spacecraft to Node Module for Future Extravehicular Activities.
CGTN: Taikonauts prepare extravehicular spacesuits for major tasks in orbit.

ESA sluit inschrijvingsperiode astronauten af.
ESA: Wide range of applications for ESA’s astronaut selection.
VRT NWS: 22.000 Europeanen solliciteren bij ESA om astronaut te worden, ook pak meer vrouwelijke kandidaten.

Filmpje:
ESA: ESA's astronaut selection – the aftermath.

ILRS – International Lunar Research Station.
Parabolic Arc: A Look at the Chinese-Russian International Lunar Research Station.
Universe Today: China and Russia Announce their Future Plans for the Moon, Including a Human Base.

Filmpje: 
CGTN: China, Russia jointly issue roadmap for intl lunar research station.
Dongfang Hour: China & Russia Announce Roadmap for Lunar Station.

Artemis – SLS/Orion.
NASA: Next Element for NASA’s Moon Rocket Gets Stacked for Artemis I.

Filmpjes:
NASA: Artemis I Core Stage Activities at Kennedy.
NASA: Artemis: Inside the Latest Achievements - Episode 28.
NASA: Rocket Science in 60 Seconds: Insulating NASA’s Moon Rocket.

Artemis – Naar de Maan in 2024 (?)
Ars Technica: NASA chief reminds Congress they’re the ones not funding a lunar lander.

Space News: Nelson says Artemis plans pending decision on GAO protest.
Space Daily: Technical snags make US Astronauts' lunar landing in 2024 'less likely', GAO Says.

Space News: Report: Space Force has to prepare for operations beyond Earth’s orbit.

Filmpje:
National Space Society: NSS Space Forum: When We Get Back to the Moon, What Then?

Chinezen naar Mars (?)
Global Times: Chinese rocket manufacturer outlines manned Mars mission roadmap, timetable.
RoomEU: China announces plans to build a base on Mars starting in 2033.

The Science Times: Mars Camp in a Desert: China Makes $23 Million Martian Simulation Base to Help Astronauts Explore Red Planet.

Japan stemt wet op “space resources”.
Space News: Japan passes space resources law.
Parabolic Arc: ispace Applauds Japan’s Passage of Space Resources Law.
Parabolic Arc: ispace Receives $17.9 Million in Bank Loans.

SpaceX – Starship – Voorbereidend werk op een orbitale lancering.
Teslarati: SpaceX installs first parts of tower meant to catch Starship boosters.
Teslarati: SpaceX Starship booster’s ‘hot gas’ thrusters make first public appearance.
Teslarati: Elon Musk says SpaceX’s second Starship booster prototype is almost finished.

Space News: SpaceX aiming for July for Starship orbital launch despite regulatory reviews.

Filmpjes:
NasaSpaceFlight: Huge Hoist for the Orbital Launch Tower Installed | SpaceX Boca Chica.
NasaSpaceFlight: Pieces of 8th Orbital Launch Tower Section Delivered | SpaceX Boca Chica.
NasaSpaceFlight: Super Heavy's Hot Gas Thrusters Spotted | SpaceX Boca Chica.
NasaSpaceFlight: Starship SN16 is Worked On Again | SpaceX Boca Chica.
NasaSpaceFlight: Super Heavy Test Tank Removed from its Stand | SpaceX Boca Chica.
NasaSpaceFlight: Super Heavy Booster 3 Rings Spotted - BN2.1 Test Tank Rolled Back | SpaceX Boca Chica.
NasaSpaceFlight: Pad A Prepared for Super Heavy Testing | SpaceX Boca Chica.

What About It: SpaceX's genius move on how to build sea and land-based Starship launch platforms!
Engineering Today: SpaceX Orbital Starship progress: SpaceX installs launch tower mechanism to catch Starship boosters.
Engineering Today: SpaceX second Starship Super Heavy booster is almost finished | ‘Hot Gas’ thruster first appearance.
Marcus House: SpaceX Starship requires new booster, Shotwell still suggests July for Orbital Flight Test.

Nieuws uit de (inter)planetaire ruimte.

Venus:
DeccanHerald: Venus lacks plate tectonics, but it has something much more quirky.
SpaceCom: Scientists just detected an earthquake from a balloon and might be able to do it on Venus, too.

Aarde:
NASA: Looking to the Clouds to Improve Climate Models for Earth and Other Planets.
ESA: Sentinel-6 and Jason-3 tandem (filmpje).
ESA: New sea-level monitoring satellite goes live.
ESA: Stark reality of Californian drought from space.

Maan:
Masten Space: Break the Ice: Masten designs Rocket Mining System to extract lunar water.
Masten Space: Masten mission to lunar south pole: Schedule shift to 2023.
Space News: Masten delays first lunar lander mission.
SpaceCom: NASA picks 3 new science experiments for commercial moon missions (CLPS).
SWRI: SwRI awarded lunar lander investigation contract – Lunar Interior Temperature and Materials Suite (LITMS) (CLPS).
Universe Today: NASA is Finally Sending a Lunar Lander to the Moon’s far Side.
CCTV: Lunar Soil on Display in Hong Kong (filmpje).
SpaceCom: Turkey aims to send rocket to moon in three years, land lunar rover by 2030.

Mars:
NASA Curiosity Status Report: Sol 3153-3155: Not Driving off Into the Sunset.
NASA Curiosity Status Report: Sols 3156-3157: Making Good Progress.
NASA Curiosity Status Report: Sols 3158-3159: More Nodules.
NASA Curiosity Status Report: Sol 3160-3162: It's Sandy Out There…
SpaceCom: Mars helicopter Ingenuity nails 8th flight on the Red Planet.
Video From Space: NEW Onboard video of Ingenuity Helicopter 8th Successful Flight on Mars! (filmpje).
Space News: NASA studying larger Mars helicopters.
NASA: How NASA’s Perseverance Rover Takes a Selfie.
Space News: Mars smallsat mission gets second chance with Rocket Lab.
NASA: Study Looks More Closely at Mars’ Underground Water Signals.
Inside Outer Space: China Mars Rover: Imagery Shows Movement to the South.
CCTV: China Releases Sounds First-ever Recorded with Its Mars Rover.
Inceptive Minds: Lockheed Martin to build Aeroshell for NASA’s next Mars Lander.

Jupiter:
the making of JUICE: Rotating JUICE into horizontal position (time-lapse).

Nog dit:
EurekAlert: Solar System samples touch down in Leicester.

De Hubble Space Telescope nog steeds in de problemen.
NASA: June 25, 2021 - NASA Completes Additional Tests to Diagnose Computer Problem on Hubble Space Telescope.

Business Insider: Even the Hubble Space Telescope's backup computer is glitching now — raising new questions about what's gone wrong.
USA Today: NASA has spent days trying to fix the Hubble Telescope's payload computer.
NPR: Hubble Trouble: NASA Can't Figure Out What's Causing Computer Issues On The Telescope.

Ook dat nog: Cocaïne en Cape Canaveral.
Florida Today: Space Force seizes $1.2 million worth of cocaine from shores of Cape Canaveral base.

Om af te ronden – Space Perspective klaar om toeristen “naar de rand van de ruimte” te lanceren.
Space Perspective: Space Perspective Confirms Successful Test Flight.
Space Perspective: The World’s First Luxury Spaceflight Experience From Pioneering Space Perspective Reimagines The Thrill of Space Exploration.

Space News: Space Perspective performs first balloon test flight, begins ticket sales.
Florida Today:  Space Perspective now selling tickets to space on a balloon.

Veel lees- en kijkplezier,

Koen