Het lijkt dichterbij te komen, de eerste keer sinds 1972 dat er nog eens mensen nabij de Maan waren. NASA gaat immers volgende maand het een en het ander vertellen over Artemis II. Benieuwd of er al een (mogelijke) lanceerdatum naar voor wordt geschoven. Op de eerste maanlanding sinds 1972 is het nog even wachten. Maar veel hangt af of SpaceX er eindelijk in slaagt – na een reeks mislukkingen – om deze nacht (24 op 25 augustus) een Starship van start tot finish zonder al te veel problemen te laten verlopen. Dat en nog veel meer in het Nieuws Uit De Ruimtevaart van deze week.

Bij de foto: Ship 37 op weg naar het lanceerplatform waar het boven op Booster 17 moet geplaatst worden voor de tiende testvlucht van Starship. Foto: SpaceX.

De lanceringen van de afgelopen week.

17.08.2025 – Chinese Lange Mars 4C lanceert Shiyan 28 B-02.
China in Space: Test Satellite Twin Launched From Xichang [Long March 4C Y64].
Space News: China launches test low-inclination satellite, new Guowang broadband group.

Filmpjes:
SciNews: Long March-4C launches Shiyan-28B 02.

17.08.2025 – Chinese Lange Mars 6A lanceert SatNet LEO Group 09.
ECNS: China launches low Earth orbit satellite group (foto’s).
China in Space: Taiyuan Launch Expands GuoWang Constellation [Long March 6A Y10].
Space News: China launches test low-inclination satellite, new Guowang broadband group.

Filmpjes:
SciNews: Long March-6A launches SatNet LEO Group 09.

18.08.2025 – SpaceX lanceert Starlink-satellieten Group 17-5 (VSFB).
UPI:  SpaceX launches Starlink satellites in 100th Falcon 9 launch of 2025.

Spaceflight Now: SpaceX flies 24 Starlink satellites on its 100th Falcon 9 rocket launch of 2025.
SpaceCom: SpaceX sends 24 Starlink satellites into orbit on 100th Falcon 9 launch of the year.

Filmpjes:
SpaceX via X: Watch Falcon 9 launch 24 Starlink satellites to orbit from California.
SciNews: SpaceX Starlink 291 launch and Falcon 9 first stage landing, 18 August 2025.

19.08.2025 – Chinese Kinetica/Lijan lanceert 7 satellieten.
China Daily: Chinese rocket carries innovative Mexican satellites into orbit.
Space News: China’s CAS Space launches first Latin American payloads on Kinetica-1 rocket.

Filmpjes:
CGTN: China's Lijian-1 rocket sends seven satellites into orbit.
SciNews: Lijian-1 launches 7 satellites.

20.08.2025 – Russische Soyuz 2.1 lanceert Bion-M.
Inside Outer Space: Russia Readies “Noah’s Ark” Biosatellite.
SpaceCom: Russia to launch 75 mice, 1,000 fruit flies on Aug. 20 to study spaceflight effects.
Inside Outer Space: Russia’s Biosatellite – Ready for Sendoff.

TASS: Launch of Russia’s Bion-M No.2 biosatellite scheduled for August 20.
TASS: Launch vehicle with the Bion-M satellite installed on Baikonur launch pad.
TASS: Bion-M satellite carrying 75 mice, 1,500 flies launched into orbit.

NSF: Russia launches Bion-M No.2 research satellite.
SpaceCom: Russia launches mice, microbes and more on monthlong mission to Earth orbit.
Inside Outer Space: Russia’s Biosatellite: Menagerie of Specimens Have Begun Their Space Journey.

Filmpjes:
Roscosmos TV: Lancering (broadcast).
SciNews: Bion-M No. 2 launch.

21.08.2025 – Russische Angara 1.2 lanceert 4 militaire satellieten.
Xinhua: Russia launches Angara-1.2 rocket carrying military satellites.

Filmpje:
Point Or View: RUSSIA’S BOLD MOVE: Angara 1.2 rocket blasts secret military satellites Into space.

22.08.2025 – SpaceX lanceert ruimtevliegtuigje X-37B – USSF-36.
SatTrackCam Leiden: The upcoming launch of the X-37B Spaceplane mission OTV 8.
Ook interessant om te lezen, Marco is al 20 jaar bezig met zijn (b)log.

Universe Today: SpaceX to Launch Secret X-37B Space Plane Thursday.
SpaceCom: US Space Force's secretive X-37B space plane will test quantum alternative to GPS navigation.
Spaceflight Now: Launch preview: SpaceX to launch X-37B military spaceplane on Falcon 9 rocket from the Kennedy Space Center.

US Space Force: US Space Force launches eighth X-37B mission.
Boeing: Boeing-Built X-37B Spaceplane Launches, Beginning Eighth Mission.

SpaceCom: SpaceX launches Space Force's X-37B space plane on 8th mystery mission.
Space Policy Online: X-37B Lifts Off on Eighth Mission.
NSF: X-37B launches USSF-36 mission aboard Falcon 9.
Spaceflight Now: SpaceX launches Space Force’s X-37B spaceplane to demo laser communications, quantum navigation.
Space News: SpaceX launches eighth mission of the X-37B military spaceplane.
Ars Technica: US military’s X-37B spaceplane stays relevant with launch of another mission.

Spacepage: SpaceX brengt mysterieus X-37B ruimtevaartuig in de ruimte dat begint aan zijn 8ste missie.

SatTrackCam: X-37B Spaceplane mission OTV 8 located on orbit.

Filmpjes:
SpaceX via X: Watch Falcon 9 launch the SpaceForceDoD’s USSF-36 mission to orbit – the eighth mission of the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV-8).
SciNews: Boeing X-37B OTV-8 launch (USSF-36).

22.08.2025 – SpaceX lanceert Starlink-satellieten Group 17-6 (VSFB).
SpaceCom: SpaceX launches 24 Starlink satellites to orbit from California.

Filmpjes:
SpaceX via X: Watch Falcon 9 launch 24 Starlink satellites to orbit from California.
SciNews: SpaceX Starlink 292 launch and Falcon 9 first stage landing, 22 August 2025.

24.08.2025 – Bij het verschijnen van deze NUDR ...
… hadden nog twee lanceringen plaats. De eerste was de lancering van een SpaceX-bevoorradingsvlucht naar het ISS (SpX-33) en de lancering van een Electron-raket (“Live, Laugh, Launch”).
In volgende NUDR uitgebreid meer info over deze twee lanceringen maar bij deze alvast dit:
NASA: NASA Science, Cargo Launch on 33rd SpaceX Resupply Mission to Station.
RocketLab: Rocket Lab Successfully Launches 70th Electron Mission.

Raketnieuws.

Virgin Galactic – Wachten tot najaar 2026.
SpaceCom: Virgin Galactic's new Delta class space plane could fly as soon as fall 2026.

Avio mag 10 jaar lang Vega lanceren vanuit Kourou.
European Spaceflight: France Grants Avio 10-Year Licence to Launch from Guiana Space Centre.

Amentum krijgt $4 miljard contract voor contract USSF lanceerbasissen.
Amentum: Amentum’s Jacobs Technology Inc. Selected for $4B Space Force Range Contract.
Airforce Technology: Amentum secures $4bn Space Force Range Contract from USSF.
Defense News: Amentum to modernize launch operations through $4B Space Force contract.
Space News: Amentum begins work at U.S. space launch ranges after protest is withdrawn.

Bemande ruimtevaart / Ruimtestations.

Onbemande testvlucht voor bemand programma India – December 2025.
The Times of India: ISRO Gaganyaan 2025: India’s first uncrewed G1 mission with Vyommitra set to launch in december.
The Times of India: India’s space story: ISRO shows how Bharatiya Antariksh Station will look; to support space tourism.
The Times of India:  “The day is not far”: PM Modi sets big space ambition, says India will soon have its own space station.
The Times of India: From cockpit to cosmos: Shubhanshu Shukla hails IAF training; eyes Gaganyaan mission.
The Times of India: Gaganyaan: ISRO completes key first integrated drop test.

ISS – De blogentries / On the ISS this week.
NASA ISS Blog: Expedition 73 Tracks Health and Gears Up for Cargo Missions.
NASA ISS Blog: Health Monitoring, Exercise Science Keep Station Crew Busy.
NASA ISS Blog: Expedition 73 Studies How Space Affects the Brain and the Body.
NASA ISS Blog: Ultrasound Scans on Station Monitor and Protect Crew Cardiovascular Health.
NASA ISS Blog: Crew Awaits Dragon Cargo Mission and Keeps Up Human Research.

SpaceCom: NASA astronaut marks his 400th day in space | On the International Space Station Aug. 18-22, 2025.

ISS – Meer nieuws uit het ruimtestation.
PhysOrg: NASA tests potential bone loss treatment for long-duration missions.
SpaceCom: Astronauts get stuffy noses in space because of microgravity, scientists find.
Universe Today: Stem Cells Preserved in Space Have Produced Healthy "Space Mice".

Voor wie geïnteresseerd is in de wetenschap aan boord van het ISS:
NASA: Space Station Research Explorer.

ISS National Lab: ISS Testing Advances a Vest to Shield Astronauts From Space Radiation.

Filmpjes:
NASA: NASA Astronaut Discusses Life in Space with WTAE-TV, Pittsburgh – 8-15-2025.
NASA: Hurricane Erin Seen From International Space Station – 8-19-2025.
NASA: NASA's SpaceX Crew-10 Post-Flight News Conference.

CSS – Meer nieuws uit het Chinese ruimtestation.
Inside Outer Space: China’s Space Station Crew: Third Spacewalk Results.
SpaceCom: Chinese astronauts beef up Tiangong space station's debris shield during 6.5-hour spacewalk.
ECNS: Chinese spacesuit reaches 20 spacewalks, extending in-orbit lifespan.

China In Space: AI Assists Taikonauts on Tiangong.

Naar de Maan (en Mars).

Artemis 2 – Mensen rond de Maan.
NASA: Artemis II Crew Practices Night Launch Scenario.
SpaceCom: Artemis 2 astronauts suit up for nighttime moon launch dress rehearsal.

SpaceCom: NASA's Artemis 2 Orion spacecraft fuels up and moves closer to launch.
NASA: NASA Delivers Artemis II Hardware to Kennedy.

NASA: NASA to Announce New Astronaut Class, Preview Artemis II Moon Mission.
Space Policy Online: NASA Selecting New Astronauts, Gearing Up for Artemis II.

Collect Space: NASA contest picks 25 plush finalists for Artemis II zero-g indicator.
SpaceCom: South Korea's K-RadCube radiation satellite will hitch a ride on NASA's Artemis 2 moon mission.
Space News: Steam thruster entrusted to raise orbit of Artemis 2 cubesat.

NASA: NASA’s Artemis II Lunar Science Operations to Inform Future Missions.

NASA: Houston, we have a podcast – Artemis II – The Orion spacecraft.

Artemis 3 – Opnieuw mensen op de Maan / HLS.
NASA: NASA Begins Processing Artemis III Moon Rocket at Kennedy.
NASA: NASA, Army National Guard Partner on Flight Training for Moon Landing.

Artemis – Naar de Maan en Mars.
NASA: Lunar Environment Structural Test Rig.
Universe Today: The Stunning Astrogeology of the Apollo Missions.
SpaceCom: What caused the only known lunar landslide? Newly opened Apollo 17 moon samples may hold the answer.
Universe Today: What is the Moon Made Of? (Hint: It’s Not Cheese).

IEEE Spectrum: China, Russia, and U.S. Race to Develop Lunar Nuclear Reactors NASA wants one by 2030. Why the rush?

Payload: The Commercial Race to Mars Heats Up.

Satellite Pro ME: Blue Origin to launch Mars Telecom Orbiter for NASA.
NSF: Evaluating Blue Origin’s Mars Telecom Orbiter Proposal.
NSF Breaking Space (filmpje): SpaceX isn't in this Race To Mars - But Blue Origin is!

ILRS – China naar de Maan – Eerste landingstest voor maanlander.
Ars Technica: After recent tests, China appears likely to beat the United States back to the Moon.

Starship – IFT10 – Het wordt 25 augustus.
SpaceCom: SpaceX completes investigation into recent Starship failures, clears the way for Flight 10.
SpaceCom: SpaceX moves giant Super Heavy rocket to pad ahead of Starship Flight 10 launch.
NSF: Starship prepares to launch Flight 10 in penultimate Block 2 test.

NSF: Starbase Pad 2: Design Advancements from Pad 1.
Ars Technica: SpaceX has built the machine to build the machine. But what about the machine?
Via Satellite: FAA to Take Public Comments on Impact of Allowing Starship Launches from Kennedy Space Center.

Yahoo Finance: SpaceX’s Expensive Starship Explosions Are Starting to Add Up.

Filmpjes:
LabPadre Space: MASSIVE Changes Coming to Starship! - Spaceflight Weekly #180.
NSF: The Final Week Before Launch - Starship Flight 10 is Approaching - Countdown to Launch.
NSF: Testing Complete - Starship Launches This Week! | Starbase Update.
NSF: Navigational Warnings Going Up, Vehicles Remain Unstacked for now - Countdown to Launch.
NSF: Pushed to the Limit - SpaceX's Starship Raptor Engines;
NSF: Confusion in the NOTAM Times and Booster Rolls Tonight - Countdown to Launch.
NSF: Booster 16 Arrived, just Ship 37 Missing - Countdown to Launch.
Spaceflight Now: Will SpaceX's Starship bounce back following 3 failed missions, test stand explosion?
NSF: SpaceX Rolls and Stacks Starship 37 for Launch

Op ontdekking door het zonnestelsel.

Meer nieuws uit de (inter)planetaire ruimte.

Zon:
Cosmos: Solar probe confirms decades-old theory about the Sun.

Aarde:
TerraWatch: The Future of Landsat (and Civilian Earth Observation).
NASA: NASA’s Psyche Captures Images of Earth, Moon.
Universe Today: NASA Commanded Psyche To Turn Around And Capture Images Of Earth And The Moon.
Space Capital: Muon Space: Fighting Wildfires From Orbit.

Maan:
Inside Outer Space: China Far Side Samples: New Moon Findings.

Mars:
NASA Curiosity Status Report: Curiosity Blog, Sols 4629-4630: Feeling Hollow.
NASA Curiosity Status Report: Curiosity Blog, Sols 4631-4633: Radiant Ridge Revolution.
NASA Curiosity Status Report: Curiosity Blog, Sols 4634-4635: A Waiting Game.
NASA Curiosity Status Report: Curiosity Blog, Sols 4636-4637: Up Against a Wall.

Ceres:
NASA: NASA: Ceres May Have Had Long-Standing Energy to Fuel Habitability.

Didymos en Dimorphos
NASA: Close-Up Views of NASA’s DART Impact to Inform Planetary Defense.

Ryugu en Bennu:
Universe Today: It's Official: Asteroids Ryugu and Bennu Are Siblings.
NASA: NASA’s Bennu Samples Reveal Complex Origins, Dramatic Transformation.

Apopohis:
Reuters: Japan to provide H3 rocket for Europe's mission to observe Apophis asteroid.
Space News: Smallsat missions proposed to study asteroid Apophis.
Het gaat om de sondes TERP RAPTOR en ACE.
Payload: Can the TERP RAPTOR Replace NASA’s Apophis Explorer?
USRA: Mission Concept Development for the TERP RAPTOR (PDF).
Nog een PDF: Apophis Cratering Experiment Mission Concept Study.

Om af te ronden
Werkgroep Maan en Planeten: Podcast: Recente ontwikkelingen in het zonnestelsel – augustus 2025.

Meer ruimtevaartnieuws.

Het Witte Huis wil lanceren vereenvoudigen (qua administratie).
The White House: Enabling competition in the commercial space industry. 
The White House: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Enables Competition in the Commercial Space Industry.

Space Policy Online: Trump Issues Executive Order on Commercial Space.
SpaceCom: Trump signs executive order to boost commercial space — and shift NASA's balance of power.
Gizmodo: Private Spaceflight Enters the Wild West as Trump Slashes Regulations.
Space News: White House issues executive order to revamp commercial space regulations.
Space News: FAA removes membership of space transportation advisory committee.
Payload: Inside The White House’s Plan For Space Deregulation.

NASA wil Swift in een hogere baan brengen.
NASA: NASA Explores Industry Possibilities to Raise Swift Mission’s Orbit.

Payload: NASA Eyes Private Companies For Swift Orbit Raise.
Space News: NASA awards contracts to study reboost of Swift astrophysics spacecraft.

Big Beautiful Bill. En de gevolgen.
Space News: Space Force 2026 budget: an $11B boon or bubble?

Geen Aarde meer voor NASA ?
The Hill: Duffy says climate science will ‘move aside,’ with NASA only focusing on space exploration.
Payload: Duffy Wants NASA To Leave the Earth Behind.
Space News: Duffy comments seed doubts about future of NASA Earth science.
Payload: Organizations Band Together to Save NASA Science.

PWSA / Milnet – Nieuws.
Via Satellite: US Space Force Plans Sole-Source Award to General Dynamics for Ground Segment of Tracking Layer.

Space Force – Nieuws.
Lockheed Martin: First Next-Gen GEO-Based Missile Warning Satellite Successfully Completes Environmental Testing, On Track for Delivery to Space Force.
Breaking Defense: Army crafting a new space policy, moving out on counterspace.
The Register: Why blow up satellites when you can just hack them?
TechXplore: Hijacked satellites and orbiting space weapons: In the 21st century, space is the new battlefield.

Golden Dome – Missile Defense Shield.
Air & Space Forces: Ukraine’s Operation Spiderweb Has Implications for Golden Dome.
Air & Space Forces: What Does China Think of Golden Dome?
Space News: Space Dynamics Lab makes new ties with the Space Force.
L3Harris: L3Harris Expands Florida Facility to Support America’s Golden Dome.

Het einde voor het UK Space Agency.
BBC: UK independent space agency scrapped to cut costs.
Payload: What Happens to the UK Space Agency Now?
European Spaceflight: UK Space Agency to Lose Limited Autonomy to Government Streamlining.
European Spaceflight: UK Space Agency Hires Consultants to Explain the UK Space Sector.
Space News: Industry wary of UK Space Agency shake-up.

Veel lees- en kijkplezier,

Koen