Misschien mogen we deze week wel de week noemen van de ruimtevliegtuigjes. De laatste vlucht van de Space Shuttle ligt alweer meer dan 10 jaar achter ons, maar de kleinere ruimtevliegtuigen zijn terug. Dream Chaser moet volgend jaar voor het eerst naar het ISS vliegen onder het Commercial Cargo programma. De twee andere zijn militaire toestellen: het Chinese CSSHG en het Amerikaanse X37.B. Dat en nog veel meer in het Nieuws Uit De Ruimtevaart.

Bij de afbeelding: Een artistieke impressie van de Voyager. Afbeelding: Caltech/NASA-JPL

Raphaël Liégeois in Houston.
VRTNWS: Belgische astronaut maakt indruk met zijn Russisch tijdens uniek bezoek in het hart van de NASA.
De Standaard: Premier De Croo op bezoek bij Nasa: ‘Ik voel me precies een klein jongetje’.
HLN: De Croo brengt samen met Belgische astronaut Raphaël Liégeois bezoek aan NASA in Houston.
HLN: “Een jongensdroom die uitkomt”: premier De Croo is in zijn nopjes tijdens handelstrip naar Texas.

Een beetje Belgisch ruimtevaartnieuws.
In Leuven had begin deze week het 13de European CubeSat Symposium plaats.

Het KU Leuven Mecha(tro)nic System Dynamics (LMSD) instituut werkt mee aan CubeSpec.
Meer info voer CubeSpec vind je hier.

10.12.2023 – Chinese Lange Mars 2D lanceert nieuwe groep Yaogan satellieten.
XHBY: China sends 500th Long March rocket into space.
ECNS: Long March rockets mark their 500th spaceflight.

Filmpjes:
CCTV: China Launches New Remote Sensing Satellite.
SciNews: Long March-2D launches Yaogan-39 05.

10.12.2023 – I-Space laat Hyperbola 2Y een nieuwe hop uitvoeren. Tot meer dan 340 meter.
ECNS: First reusable launch vehicle test flight completed.
ECNS: Full-scale reusable rocket completes 2nd trial fligh (foto’s).
Space News:  China’s reusable rocket race heats up with new hop test.
Pan Daily: iSpace’s Reusable Rocket Triumphs in Second Flight Test.
Universe Mag: China’s methane rocket puts cargo into orbit for the first time.
The Register: China's SpaceX wannabe recycles a rocket after just 38 days.
Spacepage: Chinees ruimtevaartbedrijf voert opnieuw test uit met herbruikbare rakettrap.

Filmpje:
SciNews: iSpace Hyperbola-2 VTVL test, 10 December 2023.

14.12.2023 – Lange Mars 2F/T lanceert Chinees experimenteel ruimtevliegtuig CSSHQ.
Door sommigen wordt het geen toeval genoemd, maar net als men in Amerika de lancering voorbereid van het militaire onbemande ruimtevliegtuigje X-37B lanceert China voor de derde keer zijn gelijkaardige versie.
ECNS: China sends reusable experimental spacecraft into orbit.

Space News: China launches mystery reusable spaceplane for third time.
SpaceCom: China launches secret space plane on 3rd-ever mission.
Universe Today: China launches a secret space drone for the third time.
Spacepage: China brengt geheim herbruikbaar ruimtevaartuig voor de derde maal in de ruimte.

Ars Technica: Space Force chief: Timing of Chinese spaceplane launch “no coincidence”.

15.12.2023 – Return To Flight Electron (Rocketlab) – The Moon God Awakens.
RocketLab: Mission Overview.
De persmap vind je hier (PDF).

Space News: Electron returns to flight with successful launch of Japanese radar imaging satellite.
Spaceflight Now: Rocket Lab successfully completes return-to-flight Electron launch.
NSF: Rocket Lab returns to flight following anomaly.

Filmpjes:
RocketLab: Rocket Lab 'The Moon God Awakens' Launch.

15.12.2023 – Chinese Lange Mars 5 lanceert Yaogan 41.
ECNS: China launches new remote sensing satellite.

Space News: China launches large classified optical satellite towards geostationary orbit.
Ars Technica: A top-secret Chinese spy satellite just launched on a supersized rocket.

Filmpjes:
CGTN: China launches new remote sensing satellite.
SciNews: Long March-5 launches Yaogan-41.

16.12.2023 – Russische Soyuz 2.1b/Fregat lanceert Arktika M nr 2.
TASS: Russia launches Soyuz-2.1b rocket with its second meteorological satellite.
TASS: Russia’s second meteorological satellite Arktika-M launched from Baikonur put into orbit.

Space Voyaging: Arktika-M: The Eye On The Arctic.

Filmpjes:
Roscosmos TV: De lancering live.
De “technische” uitzending vind je hier.
SciNews: Soyuz-2.1b launches Arktika-M No.2.

Lancering X-37B met Falcon Heavy (USSF-52) voor een tijdje uitgesteld.
SpaceCom: SpaceX scrubs Falcon Heavy's X-37B space plane launch due to ground issue.
SpaceExplored: So about that Falcon Heavy launch we were talking about…
Ars Technica: Effects of Falcon Heavy launch delay could ripple to downstream missions.
SpaceCom: SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch of X-37B space plane now targeted for Dec. 28.

NSF: SpaceX Delays Vandenberg Mission, Announces NET Launch Dates.

Na de lancering van ZhuQue-2 vorige week – Zhuque 3 in 2025.
ECNS: Next-generation methane rocket to be more powerful.
ECNS: Private firm unveils nation's first reusable stainless steel carrier rocket.

Filmpje:
CCTV: China's Methane-Powered Zhuque-3 Reusable Rocket Expected to Take on Maiden Flight in 2025.

Volgende week – 18.12.2023 – “Return To Flight” voor New Shepard, met een onbemande vlucht.
Space News: Blue Origin to resume New Shepard suborbital launches.
SpaceCom: Blue Origin will return to flight with uncrewed mission on Dec. 18.
GeekWire: Blue Origin is ready to launch New Shepard spaceship after more than a year on hold.
Spaceflight Now: Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket set for return to flight mission.

Volgend jaar – Eerste lancering Vulcan (met Peregrine) uitgesteld tot begin januari 2024.
Space News: First Vulcan launch likely to slip to January.
Ars Technica: ULA chief says Vulcan rocket will slip to 2024 after ground system issues.
Spaceflight Now: ULA’s first mission with its Vulcan rocket may slide to January launch window.

Via Satellite: First Vulcan Centaur Launch Slips to 2024, ULA Completes Wet Dress Rehearsal.
Space Policy Online: ULA’s Vulcan debut set for January as year of lunar landers begins.

Filmpje:
NASA: NASA Sparks Commercial Delivery Service to the Moon (CLPS).

Meer CLPS-nieuws.
SuperCluster: Several US companies hope to reach the surface of the Moon next month as NASA preps for human missions.

NASA Artemis Blog: Part 1: Artificial Intelligence and NASA’s First Robotic Lunar Rover.
NASA Artemis Blog:  Part 2: Artificial Intelligence and NASA’s First Robotic Lunar Rover.

New Glenn in 2024 (?).
Ars Technica: Blue Origin sure seems confident it will launch New Glenn in 2024.
Ars Technica: Jeff Bezos says what we’re all thinking: “Blue Origin needs to be much faster”.

De laatste Vega-lancering – Een afgang.
Space News: Final Vega launch delayed because of upper stage tank problem.

ESA – Orbex en HyImpulse.
ESA: Boosting greener rockets with Orbex.
ESA: HyImpulse’s cheaper, greener rocket gets second ESA Boost!

European Spaceflight: HyImpulse and Orbex Received £6.7M in UK Space Agency Funding.
ESA (filmpje): HyImpulse hybrid rocket motor test.

POLARIS Spaceplanes beëindigt reeks testen aerospike motor.
European Spaceflight: POLARIS Spaceplanes Completes Aerospike Engine Test Campaign.

MaiaSpace doet eerste test met Colibri kick stage.
European Spaceflight: MaiaSpace Completes First Kick Stage Engine Test.

De Japanse Zero-raket met koemest de ruimte in.
EuroNews: To the moo-n: This start-up is trying to fuel a rocket engine with cow manure.
SpaceCom: Watch a Japanese startup test a rocket engine that will run on cow-dung methane (video).

In Frankrijk plannen ze de lancering van “Baguette One”.
Le Monde: French 'Baguette One' rocket project gets funding to launch.
AstroBlogs: Franse ondernemers willen in 2026 de “Baguette One” raket lanceren – nee ’t is geen 1 april grap.

Polaris Dawn eerst in april 2024.
Space News: Polaris Dawn rescheduled for April.
SpaceCom: SpaceX private Polaris Dawn space mission delayed to April 2024.

Axiom 3 vertrekt op 09.01.2024.
NASA: NASA to Participate in Next Private Astronaut Mission News Conference.
Space News: SpaceX yet to select launch pad for next Axiom Space private astronaut mission.
SpaceCom: Axiom Space's 3rd private mission will conduct pioneering microgravity experiments on ISS.

SpaceCom: SpaceX to launch 3rd private astronaut mission to the ISS for Axiom Space on Jan. 9.

ESA: A launch date for Marcus Wandt.
ESA: Dragon rider.

Filmpjes:
Axiom Space: Ax-3 Mission | Mission Overview.
NASA: Media Briefing: Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3) Overview (Dec. 13, 2023).
ESA: Press conference replay with ESA project astronaut Marcus Wandt.
ESA: Training for space.
ESA: Muninn mission name and patch explained.

Volgende Cygnus-capsule (29.01.2024) NG-20 krijgt de naam “S.S. Patricia “Patty” Hilliard Robertson.
NASA: NASA Invites Media to Northrop Grumman, SpaceX Space Station Launch.
Collect Space: Northrop Grumman cargo spacecraft named for shuttle-era astronaut who died of plane crash injuries.
Spaceflight Insider: NGC-20 Cygnus spacecraft service module on its way to Florida.

Filmpje:
Northrop Grumman: Meet NG-20: the S.S. Patricia "Patty" Hilliard Robertson.

ISS – DreamChaser wordt klaar gemaakt voor lancering in 2024.
Sierra Space : Dream Chaser spaceplane enters final test campaign.

NASA: Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser New Station Resupply Spacecraft for NASA.
NASA: Dream Chaser Undergoes Testing at NASA Test Facility in Ohio.

Spacepage: Dream Chaser ruimtevaartuig van Sierra Space wordt klaargemaakt voor zijn eerste ruimtemissie.

En nog dit:
Sierra Space: Dream Chaser vs Space Shuttle.

ISS – De blogentries, Daily Summary Reports.
NASA ISS Blog: Crew Keeps Up Space Research and Packs Dragon for Earth Return.
NASA ISS Blog: Station Crew Packing Dragon and Continuing Space Research.
NASA ISS Blog: Dragon Undocking Postponed to Friday.
NASA ISS Blog: Dragon Departure Postponed, Microgravity Research Continues.
NASA ISS Blog: Dragon Waits for Departure as Crew Studies Space Health.
NASA ISS Blog: Dream Chaser Undergoes Testing at NASA Test Facility in Ohio.
NASA ISS Blog: Crew Loads Dragon with NASA Science, Keeps Up Space Research.
NASA ISS Blog: SpaceX Dragon Departure from Space Station for NASA Targets Tuesday.

NASA: ISS Daily Summary Report – 08/12/2023.
NASA: ISS Daily Summary Report – 11/12/2023.
NASA: ISS Daily Summary Report – 12/12/2023.

ISS – Meer nieuws uit het ruimtestation.
SciTechDaily: Dragon’s Delayed Descent: Inside the ISS’s Orbit of Health and Science.

SpaceCom: Astronaut shows off vintage Nobel Prize in space — and talks 'quantum dots' ISS experiment (video).
NASA: NASA’s Space Station Laser Comm Terminal Achieves First Link.
ESA: Clean water for space and Earth.
ESA: Aquamembrane-1 during the iriss mission.
TwistedSifter: NASA Swabs The Outside Of The Space Station To See What’s Growing.
Futurism: NASA swabbing outside of space station to see if stuff is growing on it.
Military Aerospace: International Space Station uses L-3 test system.

ISS: NASA: Let’s Ketchup on International Space Station Tomato Research.
SpaceCom: NASA reveals what 2 tomatoes look like after being lost in space for 8 months (video).
Business Insider: This is what happens to space tomatoes that get lost on the International Space Station for 8 months.
Popular Science: The ISS missing tomato scandal has come to a close.

GovConWire: NASA Issues Final RFP for Cargo Mission Contract 4.

Filmpjes:
NASA: Space to Ground: In The Holiday Spirit: Dec. 15, 2023.
NASA: Expedition 70 Astronaut Mogensen Talks with Nobel Prize Laureates - Dec. 11, 2023.
NASA: Expedition 70 Astronaut Furukawa Discusses Space Station Science Experiments - Dec. 15, 2023.
NASA: The Case of the Missing Space Tomatoes.

Commerciële ruimtestations.
NASA: NASA’s Commercial Partners Continue Progress on New Space Stations.

Houston Public Media: Newly-opened facility at Ellington Airport is the next step toward commercialized space flights, officials say (Axiom Space).
NASA: NASA Facility Builds on Space Station Legacy at Kennedy.
Above Space (filmpje): Introducing Prometheus - Providing more space in Space.

CSS – Meer nieuws uit het Chinese ruimtestation.

Allerlei:
CGTN: First look: Take an inside tour of Tiangong Space Station.
CCTV+: Space Barber Shop Opens with Chinese Astronaut Having Haircut.

Artemis 1 – Beelden van de reentry.
NASA (video): Reentry video as Orion returns from Artemis I.
Een korte versie vind je hier.
LiveScience: NASA shares incredible footage of Artemis I capsule hurtling through Earth's atmosphere after historic moon voyage.

Artemis 2.
NASA: NASA Teams Prepare Moon Rocket-to-Spacecraft Connector for Assembly.
SpaceCom: NASA building giant Artemis 2 moon rocket ahead of 2024 launch.
Space Policy Online: Artemis II crew meets with Biden and Harris.
SpaceCom: Artemis 2 astronauts meet President Biden to talk America's next trip to the moon.

Artemis – Naar de Maan en Mars.
Via linkedin: The Race to the Moon: The Urgent Need for U.S. Innovation in Lunar Colonization.

SpaceCom: The moon has been altered by human activity. Are we in a 'Lunar Anthropocene?'.
NASA: NASA Geologist Paves the Way for Building on the Moon.

Space Explored (podcat): Space Explored Podcast 71: Lets talk seriously about the Artemis Program.

CSA: Canada reaches for the Moon: $2.9M to support sustainable lunar exploration.

NSF (filmpje): Where The ORANGE ROCKETS Come From! Artemis Hardware Exclusive Look.

Saudi Arabia trekt zich terug uit het “Moon Agreement”.
The Space Review: Four key points regarding Saudi Arabia’s withdrawal from the Moon Agreement.

Space Mining.
Space News: House committee debates space mining.
Inside Outer Space: Off-Earth Mining: The New Space Race? Congressional Hearing Weighs In.

Starship – Een terugblik op IFT-2 / Voorbereidingen op IFT-3 gestart.
NSF: SpaceX Pushes Ahead to Flight 3 with the Rollout of Ship 28.

Space News: Federal agencies caught in environmental crossfire over Starship launches.

Filmpjes:
LabPadre Space: Elon Hints at the Next Generation of Starship! - SpaceX Weekly Update #92.
NSF: Starship Flight 3 Testing Soon! | Starbase Update.
WAI: The SpaceX Military Starship Is Real! How's This Going To End?.
NSF: Suborbital Pad A Scrapping Begins | SpaceX Boca Chica.
NSF: SpaceX Rolls Out Ship 28 for Third Starship Flight Test Campaign
WAI: SpaceX's Starship Plans: Massive Starbase Expansion In 2024!
Lab Padre: SpaceX Feels the Christmas Cheer! - Photo Gallery [Dec 6th – 12th].
NSF: SpaceX Tests Ship 28 for Third Starship Flight Test Campaign.
Marcus House: SpaceX Starbase Pad Ripped Apart and Massive Site Changes Coming!

Voyager 1 in de problemen.
NASA: Engineers Working to Resolve Issue With Voyager 1 Computer.
Gizmodo: NASA's Voyager 1 Spacecraft Is Speaking Gibberish.
Universe Today: Voyager 1 Has Another Problem With its Computer System.

Nieuws uit de (inter)planetaire ruimte.

Ruimteweer:
SpaceCom: Space weather is chaotic and hard to predict. This new model could change that.
SpaceCom: US government agencies join together to improve space weather forecasting.
Space Daily: Huge solar flare, strongest since 2017, disrupts Earth radio communications.

Zon:
SpaceCom: India's Aditya-L1 solar observatory captures 1st gorgeous views of the sun (images).
Space News: 2024 promises opportunities to study the solar corona.

Venus:
The Space Review: Creating a Venus exploration program.

Aarde:
EUSPA: Getting dirty – from space.
Spacepage: NASA-sensor produceert eerste wereldwijde kaarten van oppervlaktemineralen in droge gebieden.
Space News: Agencies sign agreement to collaborate on space weather activities.
NASA: New NASA Satellite To Unravel Mysteries About Clouds, Aerosols.
ESA: ESA forges ahead with Destination Earth.
SpaceCom: HOTSAT – World's best space-based thermometer dead 2 months after 1st image release.
Via Satellite: SatVu Reports Anomaly on Pathfinder Mission HOTSAT.

Maan:
Times of India: Russia's failed moon mission cost it Rs 16K crore, our Chandrayaan 3 cost us RS 600 crore: Space Minister.

Mars:
NASA Curiosity Status Report: Sols 4032-4034: How Rocks Say Don't Touch.
NASA Curiosity Status Report: Sols 4035-4036: A Rinse and Repeat Kind of Plan!
NASA Curiosity Status Report: Sols 4037-4038: Watch Your Step!
NASA Curiosity Status Report: Sols 4039-4040: A Soliday Before the Holidays.
SpaceCom: Perseverance rover celebrates 1,000 Mars days on the Red Planet.
NASA: NASA's Perseverance Rover Deciphers Ancient History of Martian Lake.
NASA: Meet the Mars Samples: Lefroy Bay (Sample 23) .
SpaceCom: Perseverance Mars rover to climb crater rim next spring in bonus mission.
NASA: NASA’s MAVEN Observes the Disappearing Solar Wind.
Cosmos Mag: NASA Mars mission reveals solar wind suddenly stopped for two days.
SpaceCom: Mars' atmosphere swelled like a balloon when solar wind stopped blowing. Scientists are thrilled.
LiveScience: 'Almost unbelievable': Rare void from the sun briefly blew up Mars' atmosphere last year, and it could happen to Earth too.
SpaceCom: Japan may delay its Mars moon sampling mission MMX due to rocket problems.
ESA: A mission for the Rosalind Franklin rover.
NASA (filmpje): NASA Explorers Season 6, Episode 5: Sample Return (MSR).

Saturnus:
SpaceCom: Saturn moon Enceladus harbors key ingredient for life.

Didymos/Dimorphus:
Universe Today: DART Showed We Can Move an Asteroid. Can We Do It More Efficiently?

Bennu:
SpaceCom: 'What is that material?': Potentially hazardous asteroid Bennu stumps scientists with its odd makeup.
Gizmodo: It's Been 2 Months. Why Can't NASA Open the Asteroid Sample Container?
BBC: Osiris-Rex: Nasa's asteroid mission 'gathers smaller sample'.

Psyche:
Universe Today: Psyche Gives Us Its First Images of Space.

Planetoïdes:
PhysOrg: NASA's NEOWISE celebrates 10 years, plans end of mission.

Over New Horizons en de Kuiper-gordel:
Ars Technica: Deep into the Kuiper Belt, New Horizons is still doing science.

Veel lees- en kijkplezier,

Koen