Er gebeurde in de ruimtevaart deze week zoveel als soms in een hele maand nog niet gebeurt. Met liefst 7 lanceringen, waaronder een reeks OneWeb- en de 25ste batch Starlink-satellieten. Maar ook de eerste module van het Chinese ruimtestation draait nu rond de Aarde. Met verder de Russen die (al dan niet) uit het ISS weg willen om zelf een ruimtestation te bouwen. Met druk verkeer in en rond het ISS zoals de aankomst van Crew 2, het vertrek van Progress MS-14 en Crew 1 die klaar staan om naar huis te gaan. De SLS Core Stage arriveerde op het Kennedy Space Center terwijl Blue Origin en Dynetics NASA’s keuze voor het Starship van SpaceX als Human Landing System aanvechten. Ingenuity krijgt meer vliegtijd en ken je Zhurong al? Dat en – inderdaad – nog veel meer in het Nieuws Uit De Ruimtevaart van deze week.

Bij de foto: Was hij de “vergeten” astronaut? Of was hij de man zonder wie Armstrong en Aldrin niet op de Maan hadden kunnen landen? Hoe dan ook, deze week overleed Michael Collins op 90 jarige leeftijd. Foto: NASA.

OneWeb lanceert nieuwe reeks satellieten m.b.v. Soyuz-raket.
TASS: Russia’s Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket with OneWeb satellites delivered to launch pad.
TASS: Soyuz-2.1b rocket carrying 36 OneWeb satellites launched from Vostochny spaceport.
TASS: Soyuz rocket delivers 36 OneWeb satellites into orbit.

Arianespace: Flight ST31: Arianespace successfully deploys OneWeb constellation satellites.
De Arianespace “launch kit” vind je hier (PDF).

Spaceflight Now: Soyuz rocket set to launch more OneWeb internet satellites.
NasaSpaceFlight: OneWeb Flight 6 launches aboard Soyuz-2.1b from Vostochny.
Space News: OneWeb adds 36 satellites to broadband constellation as deployment accelerates.

Filmpjes:
Roscosmos: Soyuz-raket wordt buitengerold.
Arianespace: Arianespace Flight ST31 - OneWeb (EN).
De Roscosmos-livestream vind je hier. 
SciNews: OneWeb 6 launch (On-board camera view).

Delta IV lanceert geheime militaire satelliet.
ULA: United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches NROL-82 Mission to Support National Security.
De PDF-versie van het  “Delta IV NROL-82 Mission Overview” vind je hier.

Spaceflight Now: One of ULA’s four remaining Delta 4 rockets set to launch from California.
Spaceflight Now: Spy satellite successfully launched from California military base.
Space News: Delta 4 Heavy sends spy satellite to orbit in ULA’s first launch of 2021.
NasaSpaceFlight: ULA Delta IV Heavy launches NROL-82 national security mission.

Filmpjes:
ULA: Delta IV Heavy NROL-82 Mission Profile.
ULA: April 26 Live Broadcast: Delta IV Heavy NROL-82.
ULA: Delta IV Heavy NROL-82 Launch Highlights.
ULA: Rocket Talk: Delta IV Heavy NROL-82.
SciNews: Delta IV Heavy launches NROL-82.

Chinese Lange Mars lanceert commerciële rideshare missie.
ECNS: China launches nine commercial satellites.
ECNS: China's Long March-6 rocket lifts nine commercial satellites (photos).

Space News: China launches space mining test spacecraft on commercial rideshare mission.
NasaSpaceFlight: China launches Long March 6 with nine satellites.
Spaceflight Now: Chinese Long March 6 rocket delivers nine small satellites to space.
Parabolic Arc: Long March 6 Launches 9 Satellites into Orbit.
CNA: China launches robot prototype capable of catching space debris with net.

Filmpjes:
CCTV: China Launches Nine Commercial Satellites.
SciNews: Long March-6 launches 9 satellites.

Vega-raket lanceert hoge resolutie aardobservatiesatelliet.
ESA: Vega’s first launch this year.
Arianespace: 18th Vega mission marks Arianespace’s second successful launch in 72 hours.

De "launch kit" vind je hier (PDF).

Spaceflight Now: Vega rocket’s return-to-flight launch set for Wednesday night.
Spaceflight Now: “Big relief” as Europe’s Vega rocket returns to service with successful launch.
Space News: Vega return to flight creates competition for 30-centimeter satellite imagery.
NasaSpaceFlight: Arianespace launches Vega’s return to flight with rideshare mission.

Filmpjes:
Airbus Defence and Space: Pléiades Neo satellites arrive in Kourou for launch.
Airbus Defence and Space: Pléiades Neo - Today is the day.
Arianespace: Arianespace Flight VV18 – Pléiades Neo 3 / NorSat-3 / 4 cubesats (EN).
SciNews: Vega launches Pléiades Neo 3.

Een reeks filmpjes over Pléiades Neo van een tijdje geleden.
Airbus Defence and Space: Plèiades Neo satellites will unlock new possibilities for maritime security and safety worldwide.
Airbus Defence and Space: Pléiades Neo will revolutionise mapping.
Airbus Defence and Space: Get the best intelligence for your critical missions with Pléiades Neo.
Airbus Defence and Space: Pléiades Neo : Interview with Lénaïc Le Hors, Pléiades Neo Program Manager.
Airbus Defence and Space: Pléiades Neo new generation Direct Receiving Station DRS MM Neo Terminal is on track.
Airbus Defence and Space: Pléiades Neo : Interview with Francois Lombard, SVP Airbus Intelligence Business.
Airbus Defence and Space: Pléiades Neo, 30cm satellite imagery is coming.
Airbus Defence and Space: Pléiades Neo, new optical satellite constellation opening up new possibilities.
Airbus Defence and Space: Pléiades Neo: Ready for the Close Up?

Lange Mars 5B brengt eerste module Chinese ruimtestation in baan om aarde.
Voorbeschouwingen: 
FNN: China to launch Heavenly Harmony space station core module.
SpaceCom: China is set to launch first module of massive space station.

De lancering:
ECNS: China launches space station core module Tianhe.
ECNS: China launches space station core module 'Tianhe' (photos).
CNA: China launches first module for new space station.
Global Times: China successfully launches core module for its space station, kicking off intense construction phase.

NasaSpaceFlight: China launches Tianhe module, start of ambitious two-year station construction effort.
Space Policy Online: China launches core module for new space station. 
Space News: China launches Tianhe space station core module into orbit.
Collect Space: China launches Tianhe core for new multi-module space station.
Spaceflight Now: Assembly of Chinese space station begins with successful core module launch.

Spacepage: China lanceert eerste module voor nieuw ruimtestation.
VRTNWS: China lanceert nieuw ruimtestation (en ook Belgische wetenschappers zullen daar onderzoek doen).
De Standaard: China lanceert eerste deel van ruimtestation.
De Morgen: China lanceert eerste module van nieuw eigen ruimtestation.

SpaceCom: China is preparing to launch three astronauts to its new space station.

Inside Outer Space: China’s Space Station: Assembly Plans Detailed.
Space Daily: China's 'space dream': A Long March to the Moon and beyond.
SpaceCom: China's new space station will need 10 more launches to complete.

Space News: Huge rocket looks set for uncontrolled reentry following Chinese space station launch.

Filmpjes:
CCTV: LIVE: China Launches Core Module of Space Station.
CCTV: China Launches Core Module for Permanent Space Station.
SciNews: Long March-5B Y2 launches the Tianhe Core Module.
SciNews: The Tianhe core module of the China Space Station.
SciNews: Inside the Tianhe core module.
CGTN: China's space station will have foreign astronauts: official.
CGTN: Robotic arms on China's space station may extend to 15 meters long.
CGTN: China's space station will have ion propulsion system.
CCTV: China's Space Station Project to Boost Int'l Studies of Space Sciences: Expert.
CCTV: China to Build Space Station into National-level Space Lab Supporting Experiments: Experts.

Scott Manley: China's ISS Competitor Begins Construction In Orbit.

Nog dit: Virtueel op stap in het Chinese ruimtestation kan hier.

SpaceX lanceert 25ste batch Starlink-satellieten.
Teslarati: SpaceX aces 25th Starlink launch and delivers 1500th Starlink satellite to orbit.

Space News: SpaceX launches Starlink satellites.
NasaSpaceFlight: Starlink v1.0 L24 launches as SpaceX receives permission for Starlink modifications.

Spaceflight Now: SpaceX launches 60 more Starlink spacecraft; FCC clears SpaceX to fly satellites at lower altitudes.

Filmpjes:
SpaceX: Starlink Mission.
SciNews: SpaceX Starlink 25 launch & Falcon 9 first stage landing, 29 April 2021.

China lanceert nieuwe remote-sensing satelliet.
Global Times: China successfully launches Yaogan-34 remote sensing satellite.

Filmpjes:
CCTV: China Successfully Launches Yaogan-34 Remote Sensing Satellite.
SciNews: Long March-4C launches Yaogan-34.

Stratolaunch – Na 2 jaar nog eens in de lucht.
Space News: Stratolaunch aircraft returns to the skies after two-year hiatus.
FNN: Gigantic Stratolaunch aircraft makes 2nd test flight.
Parabolic Arc: IT’S ALIVE! Stratolaunch’s Roc Aircraft Flies for First Time in 2 Years.
SpaceCom: Stratolaunch flies world's largest airplane on 2nd test flight.

Filmpje:
NasaSpaceFlight: Flight of the world's largest aircraft by wingspan | Stratolaunch.

ISS – Crew 2 arriveert in het ruimtestation – Crew 1 komt wat later terug.
Een eerste keer uitgesteld.
Spaceflight Now: Return of SpaceX crew capsule delayed by high winds.
Space News: Crew-1 splashdown delayed by weather.

Een tweede keer uitgesteld.
Spaceflight Now: Crew Dragon return postponed again by poor weather.

Teslarati: A 2021 SpaceX Odyssey: Dragon aces third astronaut launch, docks with space station.
ISS National Lab: SpaceX Crew-2 Astronauts Arrive at the Space Station – Will Perform a Wide Variety of Research During Six-Month Mission.

PhysOrg: False alarm: No space junk threat after all to SpaceX crew.

ISS – De blogentries, Daily Summary Reports en Science Highlights.
NASA Space Station Blog: Busy Week on Station Ahead of Crew and Cargo Departures.
NASA Space Station Blog: Astronauts Swap Station Command Before Cargo and Crew Ships Depart.
NASA Space Station Blog: Cargo Ship Departs as SpaceX Crew-1 Mission Nears End.
NASA Space Station Blog: Crew-1 Splashdown Waved Off as Station Teems With Science.
NASA Space Station Blog: Sunday Splashdown Set for Crew-1 During Light Day on Station.

NASA: ISS Daily Summary Report – 04/23/2021.
NASA: ISS Daily Summary Report – 04/24/2021.
NASA: ISS Daily Summary Report – 04/26/2021.
NASA: ISS Daily Summary Report – 04/27/2021.
NASA: ISS Daily Summary Report – 04/28/2021.
NASA: ISS Daily Summary Report – 04/29/2021.

Space Station Science Highlights: Week of April 26, 2021.

ISS – Meer nieuws uit het ruimtestation.
Roscosmos: The record-breaking Progress MS-14 completes its flight.
TASS: Russia de-orbited Progress MS-14 space freighter – Roscosmos.

SpaceCom: Russian cosmonauts may not fly on SpaceX's Crew Dragon until 2022.

Space News: Russia to select actress for Soyuz mission in May.

NASA: Constant Gardening on the Space Station.
Forbes: How An Astronaut’s Eyes Are Damaged By A Year In Space.

Filmpjes: 
NASA: Space To Ground: Space to Ground: Crew-2: 04/23/2021.
NASA: Space To Ground: Endeavour and Resilience: 04/30/2021.
NASA: SpaceCast Weekly - April 30, 2021.
Roscosmos: Het vertrek van Progress MS-14 (live uitzending).
SciNews: Progress MS-14 undocking and departure.

NASA: WATCH: NASA’s SpaceX Crew-1 astronauts answer media questions.
NASA: Crew-1 Astronauts Advance Research in Space.
NASA: Q&A with NASA’s SpaceX Crew-1 Astronauts Aboard the Space Station.
NASA: Expedition 65 Space Station Crew Talks With CBS News - April 29, 2021.
NASA: Expedition 65 ESA Inflight Astronaut Pesquet Speaks With European Media - April 30, 2021.
NASA: Expedition 65 Change of Command Ceremony and Crew- Farewell - April 27, 2021.

De Russen en het ISS.
Parabolic Arc: Russia’s Changing Story on ISS and its New Space Station.
SpaceCom: Russia wants to build its own space station to replace the ISS, state officials say.
NasaSpaceFlight: Roscosmos discusses ISS withdrawal strategy and new space station for mid-2020s.

Artemis – SLS Core Stage arriveert op het Kennedy Space Center.
NASA Artemis Blog: NASA Removes Rocket Core Stage for Artemis Moon Mission from Stennis Test Stand.
NASA Artemis Blog: Artemis I Core Stage Arrives at Kennedy.
NASA: Space Launch System Core Stage Arrives at the Kennedy Space Center.

Boeing: Boeing’s 1st Core Stage for NASA’s Space Launch System Arrives at Kennedy Space Center.

Florida Today: Pegasus barge and booster arrive at Port Canaveral.
Spaceflight Now: NASA barge delivers first SLS core stage to Kennedy Space Center.
Spaceflight Now: Core of NASA’s first Artemis moon rocket towed into Vehicle Assembly Building.

Space News: SLS core stage arrives at KSC but faces “challenging” schedule.
Space Policy Online: SLS Core Stage now at KSC.

Filmpjes:
Boeing: The Boeing-built Core Stage 1 for NASA's Space Launch System Arrives at Kennedy for Integration.
NasaSpaceFlight: SLS Core Stage Offloading at Kennedy Space Center (livestream).

Artemis – HLS – Blue Origin (National Team) en Dynetics vechten keuze van SpaceX aan.
Space News: Blue Origin protests NASA Human Landing System award.
Florida Today: Blue Origin officially protests NASA's award to SpaceX Starship.
Via Satellite: Washington Post: Blue Origin Challenging NASA’s Lunar Lander Award to SpaceX.
NasaWatch: Blue Origin Formally Protests NASA HLS Contract Award (met link naar het Blue Origin formele protest document).

Space Policy Online: Dynetics also protesting NASA’s HLS award.
Space News: Dynetics protests NASA HLS award.
Space News: Dynetics HLS protest argues NASA should have revised competition after budget shortfall.

GeekWire: NASA freezes SpaceX’s lunar lander cash due to protests from Blue Origin, Dynetics.

Nog dit:
Engineering Today: SpaceX Starship | NASA's bold decision on Starship for moon mission may change spaceflight forever (filmpje).
The Space Review: With Starship, NASA is buying the Moon, but investing in Mars.

SpaceX – Starship – SN15 – 2x Static fire – Nog geen lancering.
SpaceCom: SpaceX fires up Starship SN15 prototype to prep for test flight.
Teslarati: SpaceX’s upgraded Starship completes second Raptor engine test in ~24 hours.
Parabolic Arc: FAA Approves Next Three SpaceX Starship Flight Tests.
Teslarati: SpaceX scrubs upgraded Starship launch debut.
NasaSpaceFlight: Starship SN15 scrubs Friday hop attempt.

Filmpjes:
NasaSpaceFlight: Launch Site Prepped for SN15 Static Fire & Test Flight | SpaceX Boca Chica.
NasaSpaceFlight: Orbital Launch Site Tower Rises and SN16 Nosecone Mated | SpaceX Boca Chica.
Lab Padre: SN15 Static Fire & RCS Tests.
NasaSpaceFlight: Starship SN15 Static Fire | SpaceX Boca Chica.
NasaSpaceFlight: Starship SN16 Nosecone Stacked | SpaceX Boca Chica.
NasaSpaceFlight: Starship SN15 Static Fires Again | SpaceX Boca Chica.
NasaSpaceFlight: Starship SN15 Waiting for Flight Test | SpaceX Boca Chica.
NasaSpaceFlight: Starship SN15 Receives FAA Approval | SpaceX Boca Chica.
NasaSpaceFlight: SCRUB: Starship SN15 Test Flight Scrubbed.

Mars – Derde en vierde vlucht een succes – Ingenuity krijgt extra vliegtijd.
NASA: NASA's Ingenuity Mars Helicopter Flies Faster, Farther on Third Flight.
NASA: With Goals Met, NASA to Push Envelope With Ingenuity Mars Helicopter.
NASA: NASA Sets Briefing to Discuss Ingenuity Mars Helicopter Next Steps.
NASA: NASA's Ingenuity Helicopter to Begin New Demonstration Phase.

SpaceCom: Mars helicopter Ingenuity goes long distance in 3rd flight on Red Planet.
Spaceflight Now: NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter aces first longer-range flight on Mars.
Space News: Ingenuity performs third Mars flight as final, most challenging tests await.
Gizmodo: NASA’s Ingenuity Helicopter Photographed a Friend on Its Third Mars Flight.

Space News: Ingenuity shifts from technology to operations demo after successful fourth flight.

SpaceCom: NASA extends Mars helicopter Ingenuity's high-flying mission on Red Planet.
Space Policy Online: Ingenuity gets a new assignment.

Filmpjes:
NASA: Perseverance Rover's Mastcam-Z Captures Ingenuity's Third Flight.
NASA: Third Flight of NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter is a Success.
NASA: NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter’s Next Steps (Media Briefing).
NASA: Fourth Flight a Success for NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter.

Mars – Zhurong is de naam van het Tianwen-1 Marsautootje.
Space Daily: Zhurong on course for historic journey.
PhysOrg: The Chinese Mars lander: How Zhurong will attempt to touch down on the red planet.

Filmpje:
SciNews: Zhurong - the Tianwen-1 rover.

Nieuws uit de (inter)planetaire ruimte.

Zon:
ESA: ‘Campfires’ offer clue to solar heating mystery.
Astrum: The Immense Pent Up Energy in the Sun's Corona | Parker Solar Probe and Solar Orbiter (filmpje).

Venus:
The Vintage Space: The Post-Apollo Human Mission to Venus (filmpje).

Aarde:
Gizmodo: Declassified Satellite Images Show Glaciers Are Melting Faster Than Ever.
ESA: Forest measuring satellite passes tests with flying colours.

Maan:
The Science Times: China's Chang'e 6 Lunar Probe on 2024 to Showcase Equipment from European Countries.
TASS: Russia’s preparations for Luna-25 mission launch proceeding on schedule — Roscosmos chief.
PhysOrg: Measuring the Moon's nano dust is no small matter.
NASA: Celebrating Moon Trees on Arbor Day.

Mars:
NASA Curiosity Status Report: Sol 3101: What Lies Within.
NASA Curiosity Status Report: Sol 3102: Putting a Bow on 'Bardou'.
NASA Curiosity Status Report: Sols 3103-3104: Adieu, 'Bardou!'.
NASA Curiosity Status Report: Sols 3105-3107: Let's Try That Again…
CNES: Comment les ballons preéparent les voyages vers Mars.

Saturnus:
Universe Today: How Salty is Enceladus’ Ocean Under the ice?

Ryugu:
AAS Nova: New View of Asteroid Ryugu’s Surface.

Nog dit – Michael Collins (Apollo 11) overleden.
NASA: Statements on Passing of Michael Collins.
Veel foto- en filmmateriaal vind je op volgende link:
NASA: NASA Remembers Michael Collins.

Spacepage: Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins overleden.
VRTNWS: Michael Collins (90) is dood, de "vergeten astronaut" van de maanlanding van Apollo-11 in 1969.

Collect Space: Michael Collins, Apollo 11 astronaut who orbited moon, dies at 90.
BBC: Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins dies at 90.
Ars Technica: Michael Collins, who piloted the Apollo 11 command module, has died.
Popular Mechanics: How the Late Apollo 11 Astronaut Michael Collins Made It to the Moon.
Time: Remembering Michael Collins, Apollo 11's Third—and Essential—Man.

Parabolic Arc: Passing of Michael Collins Leaves 5 Surviving Astronauts from Apollo Lunar Landing Missions.

Veel lees- en kijkplezier,

Koen