Ik weet niet hoeveel jaren we al zeggen dat dit jaar wel eens het jaar van het ruimtetoerisme zou worden. Maar 2021 maakt grote kans om het allemaal waar te maken. Blue Origin verkoopt een eerste suborbitale zitje per opbod, Virgin Galactic deed een geslaagde testvlucht waardoor ook voor hen een eerste suborbitale toeristenvlucht dichtbij komt. Zowel Crew Dragon als Soyuz gaan eind dit jaar/begin volgend jaar toeristen lanceren in een baan om de aarde. Dat en nog veel meer in het Nieuws Uit De Ruimtevaart van deze week.

Bij de foto: SpaceShipTwo begint aan zijn tocht naar de ruimte. Foto: Virgin Galactic.

RocketLab – Electron-lancering loopt fout nadat eerste trap is uitgewerkt.
Zie ook de vorige NUDR.

BlackSky: BlackSky CEO Brian E. O’Toole on the RocketLab Anomaly May 15, 2021.

Parabolic Arc: Rocket Lab Suffers Launch Failure as Competitive Pressures Mount and Merger Looms.
Ars Technica: Rocket Lab reviewing data after its second Electron failure in a year.
Space News: Rocket Lab says engine issue caused Electron failure.
SpaceCom: Rocket Lab investigates launch failure, begins inspecting recovered booster.
Rocket Lab: Rocket Lab Progresses Flight Review, Recovers First Stage Following Successful Ocean Splashdown.

Filmpje:
Scott Manley: Rocket Lab's 20th Launch Spins Out Of Control After Successful Booster Flight.

SpaceX lanceert nieuwe batch Starlink-satellieten en twee andere kunstmanen.
Teslarati: SpaceX on track to launch eight Falcon 9 rockets in six weeks.

Space News: SpaceX launches Starlink satellites and rideshare payloads.
SpaceCom: SpaceX rocket launches Starlink fleet and 2 small satellites, sticks landing at sea.
Spaceflight Now: SpaceX ramps up launch rate with fifth Falcon 9 mission in three weeks.

Space News: Tyvak satellite on SpaceX rideshare mission carries tiny space telescope.

Filmpjes:
SpaceX: Starlink Mission.
SciNews: SpaceX Starlink 28 launch & Falcon 9 first stage landing, 15 May 2021.
Video From Space: Watch SpaceX deploy 52 Starlink satellites in stunning view from space.

Atlas V lanceert SBIRS Geo 5 voor de Amerikaanse militairen.
ULA: ULA Successfully Launches SBIRS GEO Flight 5 Mission in Support of National Security.
Een Mission Overview (PDF) vind je hier.

Spaceflight Now: Atlas 5/SBIRS GEO 5 launch timeline.
Florida Today: Technical issues force ULA to scrub Atlas V launch from Cape Canaveral.
Space News: ULA launches U.S. Space Force missile-warning satellite, two rideshare cubesats.

Filmpjes:
ULA: Atlas V SBIRS GEO Flight 5 Mission Profile.
ULA: Rocket Talk: Atlas V SBIRS GEO Flight 5.
ULA: The Amazing Centaur III: Atlas V SBIRS GEO Flight 5.
ULA: May 18 Live Broadcast: Atlas V SBIRS GEO Flight 5.
SciNews: Atlas V launches SBIRS GEO-5.
ULA: Atlas V SBIRS GEO Flight 5 Launch Highlights.
ULA: Atlas V SBIRS GEO Flight 5 Rocket Cam.

Ge moet maar geluk hebben:
Video From Space: Airline passenger sees Atlas V rocket launch during flight (Raw Video).

China lanceert remote sensing satelliet.
ECNS: China launches satellite to monitor ocean environment.
NasaSpaceFlight: China launches Haiyang-2D Oceanography Satellite from Jiuquan.
Spaceflight Now: Chinese Long March rocket launches oceanography satellite.

Filmpje:
SciNews: Long March-4B launches HaiYang-2D.

CSS – Lancering Tianzhou 2 uitgesteld – Meer nieuws over het Chinese ruimtestation.
ECNS: Tianzhou 2, carrier rocket transported to launchpad for liftoff.
ECNS: China prepares to launch Tianzhou-2 cargo spacecraft(photo’s).
Space News: China rolls out rocket for Tianzhou-2 space station supply mission.

ECNS: China to launch Tianzhou-2 cargo spacecraft.

CNA: China delays supply mission to newly launched space station.
NasaSpaceFlight: China scrubs first cargo launch to new station with Tianzhou 2.

ECNS: China's core space station module Tianhe completes in-orbit tests.
Spacepage: Chinees ruimtestation krijgt in juni bezoek van eerste ruimtevaarders.

Filmpje:
SciNews: Long March-7 Y3 ready to launch Tianzhou-2.
CCTV: China Prepares to Launch Tianzhou-2 Cargo Spacecraft.
CGTN: Core module of Tiangong space station enters rendezvous orbit.
SciNews: Tianhe completes in-orbit checks.

PhysOrg: Tiangong: China may gain a monopoly on space stations—here's what to expect.

De nieuwe NASA baas over de Chinese successen. 
SpaceCom: Bill Nelson pledges action on Artemis, Mars and China in 1st hearing as NASA chief.
Spaceflight Now: Nelson cites China’s growing space prowess, calls for sustained NASA funding.
Space News: Nelson uses Chinese Mars landing as a warning to Congress.
Space News: Op-ed | Beijing’s Troubling Space Ambitions.

Toerisme – Geslaagde testvlucht SpaceShipTwo op 22 mei.
Virgin Galactic: Virgin Galactic confirms upcoming test flight of VSS Unity on May.
Space News: Virgin Galactic schedules next SpaceShipTwo test flight for May 22.

Virgin Galactic:  Virgin Galactic completes first human spaceflight from Spaceport America, New Mexico.
Space News: SpaceShipTwo makes first flight to space from New Mexico.
BBC News: Virgin Galactic rocket plane flies to edge of space.
Collect Space: Virgin Galactic pilots fly first crewed spaceflight from New Mexico.
The Verge: Virgin Galactic spaceplane VSS Unity completes successful flight.

Spacepage: Eerste geslaagde ruimtevlucht van Virgin Galactic vanuit New Mexico.

Filmpje:
Virgin Galactic: Virgin Galactic Completes First-Ever Spaceflight from New Mexico.
NasaSpaceFlight: Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity performs first spaceflight from Spaceport America.
Spaceport America: Spaceport America- New Mexico Space History.

Toerisme – Hoogste bod eerste zitje New Shepard voorlopig (meer dan) 2 miljoen dollar.
Parabolic Arc: Bidding for Seat on First Crewed New Shepard Flight Exceeds $2 Million.
SpaceCom: Blue Origin’s auction for a ride on its 1st crewed launch hits $2.6 million.

In verband met een vorige vlucht.
Collect Space: Blue Origin sends dinosaur bones into space for 'Dream Big' initiative.

ISS – Soyuz MS-19 – Voorbereidingen film “Challenge” begonnen.
Roscosmos: ‘The Challenge’ movie crew preflight preparation to begin next week at GCTC.

ISS – Soyuz MS-20 – Maezawa op zoek naar ideeën.
Collect Space: Space tourist Yusaku Maezawa wants ideas for what to do in space.

SpaceSleuth: Mystery of Missing ‘Space Tourists’ explained.

ISS – Bemanning Crew 3 uitgebreid.
NASA: Kayla Barron Joins NASA’s SpaceX Crew-3 Mission to Space Station.
Space News: NASA adds astronaut to commercial crew mission.

ISS – “Who wants to be an astronaut”
SpaceCom: Discovery Channel's 'Who Wants To Be An Astronaut' will launch a contest winner into orbit with Axiom Space.

ISS – Cargo Dragon CRS22.
NASA: NASA, SpaceX Announce Target Launch Time for Next Resupply Services Mission.

Filmpje: 
NASA: Science Launching on SpaceX's 22nd Cargo Resupply Mission to the Space Station.

ISS – De blogentries, Daily Summary Reports en Science Highlights.
NASA Space Station Blog: Monday Kicks Off with Japanese, U.S. Science and Spacewalk Preps.
NASA Space Station Blog: U.S. and Russian Spacewalk Preps, Human Research Aboard Station Today.
NASA Space Station Blog: Life Science Work Fills Day Ahead of June Spacewalks.
NASA Space Station Blog: Station Lifts Orbit as Crew Works Biology and Spacewalk Preps.
NASA Space Station Blog: Water Processor Assembly Restored, Spacewalk Preps, Immunity Research Round “Magical” Day on Station.

NASA: ISS Daily Summary Report – 05/14/2021.
NASA: ISS Daily Summary Report – 05/17/2021.
NASA: ISS Daily Summary Report – 05/18/2021.
NASA: ISS Daily Summary Report – 05/19/2021.
NASA: ISS Daily Summary Report – 05/20/2021.

Space Station Science Highlights: Week of May 17, 2021.

ISS – Meer nieuws uit het ruimtestation.
TASS: European robotic arm installed on Russia’s Nauka space research module.

ESA: Mission Alpha – Back to the space cradle

Roscosmos: Roscosmos appointed ISS crews until 2023.

Filmpjes:
NASA: Space to Ground: Crew Call: 05/21/2021.
NASA: SpaceCast Weekly - May 21, 2021.
NASA: Expedition 65 Education Inflight Interview with Aga Khan Education Board - May 5, 2021.
NASA: Expedition 65 Education Inflight with Oak Ridge Elementary Eagan MN - May 18, 2021.
NASA: Expedition 65 Inflight Q&A with SciAccess and Ohio State University - May 19, 2021.

En dan nog deze:
ESA: Looking back from the Space Station.

Artemis – Orion/SLS.
NasaSpaceFlight: SLS Core Stage thermal protection system refurbishment in work at Kennedy for Artemis 1.

NASA: NASA Fires Up Fourth RS-25 Engine Test for Future Artemis Moon Missions.
Beelden van de test vind je hier.

SciNews: Final Orion Spacecraft Drop Test, 20 May 2021 (filmpje).

Artemis – Gateway.
Teslarati: SpaceX Dragon XL could double as a crew cabin for lunar space station.

Artemis – HLS.
Space Policy Online: SpaceX HLS contract gets protection in revised senate bill.
Space News: Op-ed | Multiple Providers Limit Risk in Returning to the Moon.

Artemis – Meer nieuws.
Space News: NASA seeking more than $10 billion in infrastructure bill.
NASA Watch: Bill Nelson Says He's Discovered A New Pile Of Money For NASA.
Space Policy Online: Nelson sees jobs bill as solution to HLS and other funding needs.

Universe Today: Astronauts Could Dust off Themselves and Equipment on the Moon With an Electron Beam.
SpaceCom: Astronauts may finally start cleaning their space underwear (with microbes).

Space News: South Korea to join NASA’s Artemis project: reports.

NASA: NASA Awards $500K in First Phase of $5M Watts on the Moon Challenge.

Moonlight Initiative – ESA plant satellietnetwerk rond de Maan voor communicatie en navigatie.
ESA: ESA to unveil its plans for lunar satellites.

Space News: ESA awards study contracts for lunar communications and navigation systems.
Sky & Telescope: Moonlight: Europe plans constellation of lunar satellites.

Filmpje:
ESA: Moonlight kick-off event and media Q&A.
ESA: Moonlight: bringing connectivity to the Moon.

Ter aanvulling:
NASA: 'The Invisible Network' Pod - Episode 17: Commercialization | LunaNet.

SpaceX – Starship – SN15 en de werken aan het orbitale lanceerplatform.
NasaSpaceFlight: Starship SN15 patiently awaits a decision – The Road to Orbit.
Teslarati: SpaceX’s first flight-proven Starship takes another step towards reuse.
Teslarati: SpaceX starts stacking Starship’s first orbital-class Super Heavy booster.
Teslarati: SpaceX starts stacking Starship’s first orbital-class Super Heavy booster.

Filmpjes:
NasaSpaceFlight: New Starbase Sign Unveiled | SpaceX Boca Chica.
NasaSpaceFlight: New Crane for Orbital Site Construction Comes Together | SpaceX Boca Chica.
NasaSpaceFlight: Test Dome with Raptor Vacuum Mount Sleeved | SpaceX Boca Chica.
NasaSpaceFlight: Launch Tower Sections Appear Ready for Stacking | SpaceX Boca Chica.
NasaSpaceFlight: New Launch Tower Section Rolled Out | SpaceX Boca Chica.
NasaSpaceFlight: Cryo Tank Shell Closer to Completion | SpaceX Boca Chica.

Meer filmpjes:
Marcus House: SpaceX Starship development shifts focus to orbital flight with Super Heavy.
Marcus House: SpaceX Starship and Super Heavy site construction speeds up at Starbase.
Engineering Today: SpaceX Starship Update: From Texas to Hawaii-- SpaceX reveals first orbital Starship flight plan.
Innovative Perspective: What's Inside The SpaceX STARSHIP?
What About It?: SpaceX Starship SN20 Orbital Flight Analyzed - Flight Plan released!

Mars – Eerste foto’s Zhurong zijn binnen. Zhurong staat ondertussen ook op het oppervlak.
Sky & Telescope: The Zhurong rover has successfully landed on the Red Planet in an ambitious first for China’s space agency.
SpaceCom: China's newly landed Mars rover Zhurong likely to roll into action this weekend.
BBC: China on Mars: Zhurong rover returns first pictures.
The Verge: China releases first images from its Zhurong rover on Mars.
SpaceCom: China's moon-sampling Chang'e 5 probe beams home eerie images from deep space.

Filmpjes:
Eerst nog even over de landing zelf, ...
CGTN: China becomes second country in history to land probe on Mars.
CGTN: China's Mars rover to study soil composition, underground water.
New China TV: GLOBALink | Timeline of China's first Mars mission.
New China TV: GLOBALink | Landing of Chinese Mars rover a great achievement, say experts.
… en dan de eerste foto’s:
CCTV: China's First Mars Rover Zhurong to Transmit Data Back to Earth Through Orbiter.
CGTN: China confirms probe lands on Mars, Zhurong rover to begin exploration.
SciNews: Tianwen-1 orbiter relays Zhurong rover’s data and images.
SciNews: Zhurong’s first images from Mars.

Ondertussen staat de rover op Mars.
Xinhua Net: China's first Mars rover drives onto red planet's surface.
Space News: Zhurong rover rolls onto Martian surface a week after landing.

Filmpjes:
New China TV: GLOBALink | China's first Mars rover drives onto red planet's surface (met animaties).
New China TV: GLOBALink | China's first Mars rover drives onto red planet's surface (met de echte beelden).
New China TV: Exploring Mars with Tianwen-1 | Exploring Red Planet.

En er zijn plannen voor opvolgers van Tianwen-1 (al zijn die niet allemaal voor Mars bedoeld).
CCTV: China to Tackle Key Technologies on Mars Sample Return for Future Planetary Exploration: Expert (filmpje).

Nog dit:
Newsweek: China Mars Rover Animation Appears to Copy NASA Video Shot for Shot.

Nieuws uit de (inter)planetaire ruimte.

Zon:
ESA: Name The Mission!
ESA Explores – Podcast: Name our space weather mission.
ESA: Solar Orbiter images first coronal mass ejections.

Aarde:
EurekAlert: NASA launches rocket in search of aurora answers.
ESA: The curious incident of Swarm and sprites in the night-time.
ESA: Cool test of Proba-V companion.
JAXA: Team Earth Observation "Satellite Rangers" (filmpje).
Op 29 mei: Volkssterrenwacht Armand Pien: Luchtvervuiling en klimaat: metingen vanuit de ruimte (voordracht op 29 mei).

Maan:
RoomEU: European startup to produce oxygen from lunar soil for ESA 2025 mission.
Space News: Firefly selects SpaceX to launch its lunar lander.
Teslarati: SpaceX set to launch six commercial Moon landers after latest win.
Inside Outer Space: Russia’s Return to the Moon: Luna-25.

Mars:
NASA Curiosity Status Report: Sols 3122-3123: Smooth Planning, but Not the Rocks!
NASA Curiosity Status Report: Sol 3124-3125: Switch it off and on Again…
SpaceCom: Curiosity rover on Mars spotted from space as it climbs 'Mont Mercou' (video).
NASA: Mars Report: Update on NASA’s Perseverance & Curiosity Rovers (May 20, 2021).
The Science Times: NASA Mars Perseverance Rover vs. China Zhurong Mars Rover: "Battlebot in Space"? Here's 5 Major Differences.
SpaceCom: NASA's Mars helicopter Ingenuity gears up for 6th flight on Red Planet.
ESA: New ExoMars parachute ready for high altitude drop.
ESA: ExoMars parachute extraction tests – Airborne Systems (filmpje).
NASA: Salts Could Be Important Piece of Martian Organic Puzzle.
SciShow Space: Active Volcanoes on Mars?

Jupiter:
the Making Of Juice: Episode 4 (filmpje).
SpaceCom: 'Clyde's Spot' on Jupiter has a wild new look in NASA photo.

Lucy:
SETI Institute: How Citizen Astronomers Detected an Asteroid to Aid NASA’s Lucy Mission (filmpje).

Over On-Orbit Servicing.
NASA: NASA’s On-orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing 1 Mission (OSAM 1) Ready for Spacecraft Build.

Via Satellite: Satellite Technology of the Year: NG and the future of in-orbit satellite servicing.

Nog dit – Gratis e-boek over recente Hubble Space Telescope waarnemingen.
NASA: NASA’s New Hubble Focus E-Book Provides a Front Row Seat to a Sky Full of Stars.

Veel lees- en kijkplezier,

Koen