Deze week waren er twee items die er zo uitsprongen. Er was de terugkeer van de drie Chinezen die drie maanden aan boord van het nieuwe Chinese ruimtestation hebben gewoond. De voorbereidingen voor de lancering van de volgende bewoners zijn in volle gang. Maar 2021 wordt sowieso het jaar van de wat minder traditionele ruimtevluchten. Na de lanceringen van Branson en Bezos was er deze week de vlucht van Inspiration4. Vier ruimtetoersten die drie dagen rondjes rond de Aarde zouden draaien.

Dat en nog veel meer in het Nieuws Uit De Ruimtevaart van deze week.

Maar er komt nog meer van dat. Weldra is er Soyuz MS-19. Met één kosmonaut, een film director en een actrice. Soyuz MS-20 gaat dan weer met één kosmonaut en twee Japanse toeristen naar het ISS. En begin volgend jaar is er de lancering van Crew Dragon Axiom 1. Opnieuw een vlucht met drie toeristen (en één commerciële astronaut) naar het ISS.

Bij de foto: Tang Hongbo, Nie Haisheng en Liu Boming poseren voor een reeks foto’s na de geslaagde landing van Shenzhou-12. Zij activeerden de voorbije drie maanden het nieuwe Chinese ruimtestation. Foto: Xinhua.

Lancering Starlink-satellieten voor tweede “shell”.
Teslarati: SpaceX’s first West Coast Starlink launch orbits 51 new ‘space laser’ satellites.
Teslarati: SpaceX Falcon 9 booster returns to California port for the first time in years

Spaceflight Now: SpaceX launches first full batch of laser-equipped Starlink satellites.
Space News: SpaceX launches first dedicated polar Starlink mission.
NasaSpaceFlight: SpaceX begins second Starlink shell with Vandenberg launch.

Filmpjes:
SpaceX: Starlink Mission.
SciNews: SpaceX Starlink 30 launch & Falcon 9 first stage landing, 14 September 2021.

Lancering nieuwe reeks OneWeb-satellieten.
TASS: Soyuz-2.1b with OneWeb satellites launched from Baikonur space center.
TASS: Fregat booster with 34 OneWeb satellites separates from Soyuz carrier rocket.

Spaceflight Now: Russian rocket ready for launch with 34 more Florida-built OneWeb satellites.
Space News: OneWeb’s broadband constellation reaching halfway mark.
NasaSpaceFlight: Soyuz mission launches 34 OneWeb satellites to orbit.

Filmpjes:
Roscosmos: Lancering OneWe-satellieten (kort).
Roscosmos: Lancering OneWe-satellieten (live uitzending).
Arianespace: Arianespace Flight ST35 - OneWeb (EN).
SciNews: OneWeb 10 launch.
En wie graag de lancering eens wil zien vanuit verschillende standpunten, moet zeker dit filmpje eens bekijken.

Inspiration4 – Vier toeristen in de ruimte, zonder professionele astronaut, voor het goede doel.
Teslarati: SpaceX Crew Dragon, Falcon 9 roll out to the pad for historic Inspiration4 launch.
Teslarati: SpaceX to launch Crew Dragon and Starlink satellites less than 48 hours apart.
Teslarati: Watch SpaceX’s Inspiration4 mission launch four private astronauts live.
Teslarati: SpaceX rockets private astronaut crew into orbit for the first time in spaceflight history.

Spaceflight Now: SpaceX rocket rolls out to pad 39A for Inspiration4 launch.
SpaceCom: SpaceX test-fires rocket for Inspiration4, the 1st private orbital mission.

SpaceCom: Meet the four civilian Inspiration4 astronauts SpaceX will launch into orbit this week.
SpaceCom: Billionaire Jared Isaacman, commander of the private Inspiration4 space mission, is bringing his spaceflight vision to life.
SpaceCom: Hayley Arceneaux to inspire children of St. Jude with Inspiration4 mission to space.
SpaceCom: Inspiration4's Hayley Arceneaux will be youngest American to reach space and 1st spaceflyer with a prosthesis.
SpaceCom: Sian Proctor to take Afrofuturism art, science and a lifelong passion for exploration to space on private Inspiration4 mission.
SpaceCom: Sian Proctor makes history with SpaceX's Inspiration4 as first-ever Black female spacecraft pilot.
SpaceCom: From Space Camp to space, Inspiration4's Chris Sembroski readies for trip of a lifetime.
SpaceCom: Inspiration4's call signs: The crew of SpaceX's all-civilian mission have special nicknames.

Spaceflight Now: Live coverage: SpaceX test-fires rocket for Inspiration4 crew mission.
SpaceCom: SpaceX's Inspiration4 private all-civilian orbital mission: Live updates.

SpaceCom: Why SpaceX's private Inspiration4 mission to Earth orbit is so important.

Collect Space: Inspiration4 'space puppy' doubles as zero-g indicator and fundraiser.
Collect Space: From Etsy to Earth orbit: Inspiration4 crew packs mementos for space.
Collect Space: Inspiration4 'all-civilian' crew launches on Earth orbit mission.

GeekWire: Why Inspiration4’s ‘all-civilian’ trip to orbit represents the dawn of a second space age.
RocketSTEM: Inspiration4 mission represents a new type of space tourism.
Space News: Commercial spaceflight industry sees Inspiration4 as a pathfinder but not a model.
Spacepage: Inspiration4: 's werelds eerste gecharterde ruimtevlucht!
Spacepage: SpaceX brengt vier burgers succesvol in de ruimte!

NasaSpaceFlight: SpaceX launches Inspiration4, first all-private orbital mission.
Space News: SpaceX launches Crew Dragon on first private mission.
SpaceCom: SpaceX launches four civilians into orbit on historic Inspiration4 flight.

SpaceCom: The private Inspiration4 astronauts on SpaceX's Dragon may have an epic view … from the toilet.
SpaceCom: SpaceX shows off Inspiration4's amazing view of Earth and new dome window.
Teslarati: SpaceX shows off largest window in space after spectacular Inspiration4 launch.

Gizmodo: SpaceX’s All-Civilian Inspiration4 Mission Is Now in Orbit: Here’s What Happens Next.

SpaceCom: SpaceX's Inspiration4 launch boosts population of space to record-breaking 14 people.

The Science Times: SpaceX Inspiration4 Mission About to Launch Real Soon! Can You Guess How Much This Mission Costs?

Spaceflight Now: For the first time, NASA is a spectator for a U.S. crew mission to low Earth orbit.

Spaceflight Now: All-civilian flight to orbit blazes new trail for charity with this week’s SpaceX launch.

Spaceflight Now: Inspiration4 crew chats with Elon Musk, works through first full day in space.
SpaceCom: Inspiration4 commander Jared Isaacman places 1st-ever sports bets from space.
BBC News: Inspiration4: All-amateur space crew enjoy views of Earth.
SpaceCom: SpaceX's Inspiration4 astronauts share first snapshots from historic private space trip.
SpaceCom: Inspiration4 SpaceX mission carrying indie-pop song to orbit.
Gizmodo: SpaceX’s Surprisingly Secretive Inspiration4 Mission Is a Major Letdown.
Spaceflight Now: Inspiration4 crew describes “incredible perspective” from space.

Space News: Inspiration4 mission to conclude with Sept. 18 splashdown.
NasaSpaceflight: Inspiration4 and all-civilian crew return to Earth with splashdown off Florida coast.
Collect Space: Inspiration4 splashes down from first 'all-civilian' Earth orbit mission.
Space News: Crew Dragon splashes down to conclude Inspiration4 mission.
Teslarati: Elon Musk donates $50M to bring Inspiration4’s total St. Jude donation to $210M.
Parabolic Arc: Bigger, Longer and with Vastly More Thrust: So Ends the Great Billionaire Space Race of 2021.

SatTrackCam: Inspiration4 Crew Dragon over the old Leiden Observatory.

En niet iedereen is even positief over deze en andere ruimtevluchten.
VRTNWS: Hoogleraar sterrenkunde kritisch over (on)zin van ruimtetoerisme: "Veroorzaakt hele hoop rotzooi, brengt niets bij".

En dan zijn er (uiteraard) nog de nodige filmpjes.

SpaceX: Inspiration4 | Q&A with Inspiration4 Crew.
SpaceX: Inspiration4 | Launch.
SpaceX: Inspiration4 Mission Control Audio.
Everyday Astronaut: [LIVE 3 MILES AWAY!!!] Watch SpaceX launch 4 civilians into orbit for Inspiration 4!!!
NasaSpaceFlight: SpaceX Inspiration4 Launch.
Video From Space: Flying fighter planes has 'relatively higher risk' than SpaceX Inpiration4 mission.
Video From Space: Inspiration4's Sian Proctor honored to be '1st black female pilot of a spacecraft'.
Collect Space: Inspiration4 crew packs personal items for space.
Collect Space: Inspiration4 zero-g indicator space puppy 'Jude'.
SciNews: Inspiration4 launch and Falcon 9 first stage landing.

Video From Space: Amazing SpaceX rocket plume from Inspiration4 launch seen in raw video.
Video From Space: See SpaceX Crew Dragon's new cupola window in space - Amazing Earth view!
Scott Manley: SpaceX's Latest Crew Mission Is Unlike Any Other.
St Jude: Space Talk with Inspiration4 Crew + St. Jude Patients | St. Jude & Inspiration4.
SpaceX: Inspiration4 | In-Flight Update with the Crew.
SpaceX: Inspiration4 | Splashdown (live).
SciNews: SpaceX Inspiration4 splashdown.
SciNews: SpaceX Inspiration4 recovery operations and astronauts egress.

ISS – De blogentries, Daily Summary Reports en Science Highlights.
NASA Space Station Blog: Station Busy with Sunday Spacewalk Preps and Biology, Botany Research.
NASA Space Station Blog: NASA TV Coverage Begins for Power System Mods Spacewalk.
NASA Space Station Blog: International Astronauts Begin Spacewalk to Modify Station’s Power System.
NASA Space Station Blog: International Astronauts Complete Power System Mods Spacewalk.
NASA Space Station Blog: Crew Turns Attention to Research Following Trio of Spacewalks.
NASA Space Station Blog: Two Flight Engineers’ Stay Extended; Biology, Maintenance Work Pick Up.
NASA Space Station Blog: Robotics and Biology Research Fill Station Crew Schedule.
NASA Space Station Blog: 3D VR Cam Stowed During Eye Checks on Station.
NASA Space Station Blog: BEAM Open for Cargo Transfers as Robotics, Eye Checks Continue.

NASA: ISS Daily Summary Report – 09/10/2021.
NASA: ISS Daily Summary Report – 09/13/2021.
NASA: ISS Daily Summary Report – 09/14/2021.
NASA: ISS Daily Summary Report – 09/15/2021.
NASA: ISS Daily Summary Report – 09/16/2021.

Space Station Science Highlights: Week of September 13, 2021.

ISS – Meer nieuws uit het ruimtestation.
Spaceflight Now: Spacewalking astronauts continue solar array upgrade work.

Space News: NASA astronaut to stay on ISS for nearly a year.
SpaceCom: NASA astronaut gets extended stay in space for record-breaking 353-day mission.

TASS: Russian cosmonauts at ISS cast their vote for State Duma election.

ISS National Lab: Six Projects Selected by NSF and CASIS to Advance Transport Phenomena Through ISS National Lab Utilization.
Universe Today: Astronauts Have Used Bacteria to Extract Useful Metals out of Rocks.

Filmpjes:
NASA: Space to Ground: Space Construction: 09/17/2021.
NASA: SpaceCast Weekly - September 17, 2021.
NASA: Spacewalk Outside the International Space Station.
NASA: NASA Astronaut Mark Vande Hei on setting the record for longest single spaceflight for an American.
ESA: Kibo | Space Station 360 (in French with English subtitles available).
ESA: Quest airlock | Space Station 360 (in French with English subtitles available).
NASA: Expedition 65 Inflight with Today Show - September 17, 2021.

CSS – Chinese ruimtevaarders terug naar huis.
ECNS: Astronauts to return home after China's longest space mission.
ECNS: Shenzhou-12 separates from space station core module.
ECNS: Chinese taikonaunts enjoy 120 dishes during space stay.
ECNS: Space station crew on way back home.
ECNS: Space station crew lands in Inner Mongolia.

CNA: Chinese astronauts complete three-month space mission.
CNA: Chinese astronauts return after 90-day mission to space station.

Spaceflight Now: Shenzhou crew departs Chinese space station, heads for Earth.
Spaceflight Now: Live coverage: Chinese astronauts return to Earth.
Spaceflight Now: Chinese crew landing caps record-setting day in human spaceflight.

SpaceCom: China's 1st space station crew to return to Earth on Friday.
Collect Space: Shenzhou 12 crew lands after record stay on Chinese space station.
Space News: Shenzhou-12 astronauts return to Earth after 3-month space station mission.

Spacepage: Chinese ruimtevaarders keren na drie maanden terug naar de aarde.

Inside Outer Space: China’s Space Station: What’s Ahead?

Filmpjes:
CGTN: Shenzhou-12 manned spacecraft separates from China's space station.
CCTV: China's Shenzhou 12 Manned Spaceship Undocks from Space Station Core Module for Return Trip.
CGTN: Shenzhou-12 crew expresses gratitude as spacecraft separates from China's space station.
CCTV: China’s Shenzhou-12 Manned Spaceship to Touch Down After Fulfilling Longest Space Mission (met animatie v/d landing).
CGTN: Shenzhou-12 spaceship successfully lands in north China.
CCTV: LIVE: Taikonauts Returning Earth after China's Longest Space Mission.
CGTN: Live: Chinese astronauts to return home after 3-month space mission.
CGTN: China declares Shenzhou-12 mission a complete success.
CGTN: Shenzhou-12 returned: How important is the parachute?
New China TV: GLOBALink | A glimpse of landing site of Shenzhou-12 manned space mission.
New China TV: GLOBALink | Shenzhou-12 astronauts out of return capsule.
CCTV: China's Shenzhou-12 Astronauts Safe and Sound after returning to Earth.
CCTV: China's Shenzhou-12 Astronauts Complete 14 Space Medical Experiments.
New China TV: GLOBALink | China completes three-month manned mission for space station construction;
CGTN: Live: Three Shenzhou-12 astronauts arrive in Beijing.
New China TV: GLOBALink | China's Shenzhou-12 astronauts arrive in Beijing.
CGTN: CGTN Exclusive: Russian cosmonaut on China's space achievements.

SciNews: Shenzhou-12 radial rendezvous test explained.
SciNews: Shenzhou-12 landing.
SciNews: Shenzhou-12 astronauts after landing.
SciNews: Shenzhou’s reentry technologies.

CGTN: The Quest for Space: China's Manned Space Missions.

CSS – Thanzhou-3 staat klaar om gelanceerd te worden.
ECNS: China prepares to launch Tianzhou-3 cargo spacecraft.
ECNS: Rocket with Tianzhou-3 cargo ship transported to launch site.
ECNS: China's Tianzhou-3 cargo spacecraft ready for launch (photo’s).
Inside Outer Space: China’s “U-turn” in Space Station Construction.

Filmpjes:
CGTN: Tianzhou-3 cargo ship, carrier rocket transported to launchpad in Hainan.
CGTN: Tianzhou 3 cargo spacecraft, carrier rocket transported to launchpad.
SciNews: Long March-7 Y4 ready to launch Tianzhou-3.

ARTEMIS – Human Landing System – HLS.
NASA: NASA Selects Five U.S. Companies to Mature Artemis Lander Concepts.
Space News: NASA selects five companies for lunar lander studies.
Geek Wire: Blue Origin and four other companies win millions to keep lunar lander dreams alive.
SpaceCom: NASA awards $146 million for human moon lander development.

SpaceX – Starship.
NasaSpaceFlight: Moment of Proof for Ship 20 and Booster 4.

De (alweer) vele filmpjes:
NasaSpaceFlight: Booster 6 Section Spotted at the Production Site | SpaceX Boca Chica.
NasaSpaceFlight: Booster 4 Testing Imminent | Starship Update (Narrated).
NasaSpaceFlight: Tropical Storm Nicholas Impacts Starbase | SpaceX Boca Chica.
NasaSpaceFlight: GSE Tank 8 Aft Dome Flipped | SpaceX Boca Chica.
NasaSpaceFlight: Starship S20 Heat Shield Nearly Complete | SpaceX Boca Chica.
NasaSpaceFlight: Aerocovers for New Starship Delivered | SpaceX Boca Chica.
NasaSpaceFlight: Raptor Center (RC) Engine #67 Removed from Booster 4 | SpaceX Boca Chica.

Nieuws uit de (inter)planetaire ruimte.

Aarde:
ESA: California continues to burn.
NASA: NASA and United Launch Alliance Update Landsat 9 Target Launch Date.
ESA: What’s going on with the ozone?
NASA: Houston, we have a podcast: Taking the Temperature of Earth.

Maan:
The Science Times: Russia Secretly Sends Luna 15 Spacecraft to Far Side of the Moon; What Is This?
The Planetary Society: KPLO, South Korea’s first Moon mission.
SpaceflightInc: Spaceflight Inc. Announces first lunar and GEO rideshare mission: GEO Pathfinder.
NasaSpaceFlight: Spaceflight Inc announces rideshare mission to the moon and geostationary orbit.
GovUK: UK space company to establish link with the far side of the Moon.
Space News: ESA to be anchor customer on commercial lunar satellite.
NASA: NASA to Announce Landing Site for Artemis Lunar Robotic Rover.
Science Mag: A new fleet of Moon landers will set sail next year, backed by private companies.
SpaceCom: China moon rock studies include fusion energy analysis, volcanic history.
RoomEU: NASA funds project to mine the Moon with swarms of autonomous robots.

Mars:
NASA Curiosity Status Report: Sols 3238-3239: SAM, What Do You Think?
NASA Curiosity Status Report:  Sol 3240: Watching and Waiting...
NASA Curiosity Status Report:  Sols 3241-3243: SAM.
NASA: Justin Simon Shepherds Perseverance Through First Phase of Martian Rock Sampling.
Space News: Perseverance collects first Mars samples.
Video From Space: See Ingenuity's 13th flight on Mars in its entirety (filmpje).
NASA: Flying on Mars Is Getting Harder and Harder.
ESA: First deep drilling success for ExoMars
Universe Today: Perseverance has Already Detected Over 300 Dust Devils and Vortices on Mars.
ESA: ExoMars deep drilling success on Earth (filmpje).
Astrum: How Wheels May Soon Become Obsolete For Mars Exploration (filmpje).
NASA: NASA Confirms Thousands of Massive, Ancient Volcanic Eruptions on Mars.
SpaceCom: Ancient Mars was rocked by violent, climate-changing volcanic eruptions.
SpaceCom: How astronaut blood could help build a Mars colony.
VRTNWS: Bouwen op Mars zal letterlijk bloed, zweet en tranen kosten.

Trojanen:
NASA: Exploring the Solar System: Lucy Goes to Space (filmpje).
NASA: Lucy's Journey: Episode 2 - 'The Adventure Begins' (filmpje).
NASA: NASA’s Lucy Prepares for Journey to Jupiter.

In het zonnestelsel:
SciTechDaily: Spacecraft in Sun’s Backyard Unravels the Origins of Interplanetary Dust.

Om naar uit te kijken.
Collect Space: New film finds 'The Wonderful' aboard the space station: director Q&A.
De trailer vind je hier.

Om af te ronden – Een Falcon 9 in het KSC Visitor Center.
Florida Today: The Space Coast is finally getting its own SpaceX Falcon 9 booster.

Veel lees- en kijkplezier,

Koen