Het leek een beetje op een tsunami aan nieuws dat op ons af kwam. De eerste maanden onder de nieuwe NASA Administrator zijn allesbehalve onopgemerkt voorbij gegaan. Zoals deze week met de “Ignition” update, de acties dat NASA gaat ondernemen in het kader van de US National Space Policy; Met gevolgen voor Artemis zoals geen Gateway meer, nadruk op de maanbasis, en nucleair naar Mars. Maar ook voor het ISS en diens commerciële opvolger(s). En uiteraard komt de vlucht van Artemis II dichterbij. En dat (laat ons hopen) met een lancering tijdens de nacht van 1 op 2 april. Dat en nog veel meer in het Nieuws Uit De Ruimtevaart.

Bij de foto: De 4 Artemis II astronauten arriveerden afgelopen vrijdag op het KSC om op de lanceerbasis hun quarantaine verder te zetten. Ze stelden ook hun zero-g indicator voor. “Rise”, voorgesteld door Lucas Ye uit California, is gebaseerd op de iconische “moonrise” foto genomen tijdens de Apollo 8 vlucht in 1968. Foto: NASA/John Kraus.

“Ignition” – Een nieuwe start voor NASA én Artemis.

NASA en de National Space Policy.
NASA: NASA to Provide Update on Implementation of National Space Policy.
NASA: NASA Unveils Initiatives to Achieve America’s National Space Policy.

Meer info over “Ignition” vind je op deze NASA website.

NASA Watch: Ignition at NASA.
Aerospace America: NASA details plan to establish lunar surface base by 2030, send nuclear-powered spacecraft to Mars.
Space Policy Online: NASA Rolls Out New Moon Plan.
Payload: NASA Priorities Get a Major Makeover.
Universe Today: NASA Lays Out Ambitious Plans for Moon Base and Nuclear Mars Mission.
The Planetary Society: 'Ignition': A new series of NASA initiatives.

Payload: Jared Isaacman Hits 100 Days In Office With a Bang.

Filmpjes:
NASA: Ignition: NASA News Conference (March 24, 2026).
NASA: Ignition: NASA's Plan for The Moon.
NASA: Ignition: NASA's Plan for Science and Discovery.
NSF Breaking Space: NASA’s $30 Billion Moon Base Plan: Full Timeline Explained.
NSF: The Truth About the “Moon Race”.

Het einde van Gateway = Het begin van een maanbasis.
Ars Technica: NASA kills lunar space station to focus on ambitious Moon base.
Space News: NASA halts work on Gateway to develop a lunar base.
SpaceCom: NASA's lunar Gateway space station is out. Moon bases are in.
Spaceflight Now: NASA outlines ambitious $20 billion plan for moon base.
Ars Technica: We got an audience with the “Lunar Viceroy” to talk how NASA will build a Moon base.
NSF: NASA outlines Moon Base plans, pivots on Gateway.

Payload: With Artemis Changes, Europe is Left Holding the Bag.
Space News: ESA to decide by June on Europe’s Gateway contributions.

Gulf News: UAE MBRSC reaffirms role after NASA halts Lunar Gateway.
The Times of India: UAE doubles down on moon exploration: MBRSC refuses to step back despite NASA’s U-turn on Lunar Gateway.

VRT NWS: NASA schrapt plannen voor permanent ruimtestation rond maan en kiest voluit voor maanbasis.
De Tijd: NASA investeert 20 miljard dollar in nieuwe maanbasis.

Filmpje:
Spaceflight Now: Moon Base, nuclear spaceships, and more: everything you need to know about NASA's new plans.
NASA: Introducing MoonFall, NASA’s Lunar Drone Mission.
NASA: NASA’s SkyFall Mars Helicopters.
NSF: Moonbase "Ignition" and Liftoff - The Flame Trench.

Met Space Reactor-1 naar Mars.
NSF: NASA unveils Space Reactor-1 Freedom mission to Mars in 2028.
SpaceCom: NASA's '1st nuclear powered interplanetary spacecraft' will send Skyfall helicopters to Mars in 2028.
Ars Technica: Here is NASA’s plan for nuking Gateway and sending it to Mars.
Space News: NASA to test nuclear electric propulsion with 2028 mission to Mars.

SpaceCom: NASA is developing the '1st nuclear powered interplanetary spacecraft.' What about the Voyager probes?

Filmpje:
BREAKINGspace: NASA’s Nuclear-Powered Mars Mission: SR-1 Freedom Explained.

Een nieuwe aanpak van commerciële ruimtestations.
Space News: NASA proposes new strategy for commercial space stations.
Aerospace America: U.S. lawmakers probe NASA’s revamped commercial space station strategy.
Space Policy Online: Cavossa: CLD Companies Want Stability, Not a New Plan.
Payload: Lawmakers Question NASA’s Shifting Vision for CLDs.
Space News: Industry says proposed NASA changes to commercial space station plans create confusion.

De lanceringen van de afgelopen week.

22.03.2026 – Lancering Progress MS-33 wordt gevolgd door een manuele koppeling met het ISS.
TASS: Rocket with Progress MS-33 cargo spacecraft rolled to Baikonur launch pad.
TASS: Russia’s carrier rocket with Progress MS-33 resupply ship launches to orbital outpost.
TASS: Progress MS-33 freighter with 2.5 metric tons of cargo to dock with ISS.
TASS: Progress spacecraft carrying food, equipment, other cargo docked with ISS manually.

NASA: NASA to Cover Progress 94 Spacecraft Launch, Space Station Docking.
ISS Blog: Progress Counts Down to Launch to Resupply Expedition 74
ISS Blog: Progress Cargo Craft Launches to Resupply Station Crew
ISS Blog: Progress Cargo Craft Approaching Station for Docking
ISS Blog: Progress Cargo Craft Docks to Station Resupplying Crew

NSF: Progress MS-33 launches to ISS from repaired pad.
SpaceCom: Russian cargo spacecraft suffers glitch after launching toward International Space Station..

Universe Today: Russia’s Return to the Launchpad.

Filmpjes:
NASA: Progress 94 Cargo Ship Launch.
NASA: Progress 94 Cargo Ship Docking.

Roscosmos TV: Lancering.
Roscosmos TV: Koppeling met het ISS.

SciNews: Progress MS-33 launch.
SciNews: Progress MS-33 manual docking.

22.03.2026 – SpaceX lanceert Starlink-satellieten – Group 10-62 (CCSFS).
Spaceflight Now: SpaceX launches 29 Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral.

Filmpjes:
SpaceX via X:Watch Falcon 9 launch 29 Starlink satellites to orbit from Florida.
SciNews: SpaceX Starlink 372 launch and Falcon 9 first stage landing, 22 March 2026.

22.03.2026 – Chinese Jielong 3 lanceert 10 CentiSpace-1 satellieten.
China in Space: Sea Launch Delivers Second Group of Ten Navigation Satellites [Jielong-3 Y10].
ECNS (foto’s): China launches satellite group CentiSpace 02 from sea.

Space News: China sends radar mapping and GNSS augmentation sats into orbit with pair of launches.

Filmpjes:
CCTV: China Launches Smart Dragon-3 Rocket, Sends CentiSpace 02 Satellites into Orbit.
SciNews: Smart Dragon-3 launches CentiSpace 02.

23.03.2026 – Russische Soyuz 2.1b lanceert 16 Rassvet-3 satellieten.
TASS: Russia puts 16 Rassvet constellation satellites into low orbit.
RussianSpaceWeb: An unannounced launch from Plesetsk delivers "Russian Starlink"

25.03.2026 – Isar Aerospace – Lancering Spectrum uitgesteld/scrub – Onward and Upward.
Space Daily: Exolaunch to deploy five satellites on Spectrum mission from Norway.
ESA: Spectrum’s qualifying second launch.

NSF: Isar Aerospace scrubs second launch of Spectrum rocket.

Filmpjes:
NSF: [Scrub] Isar Aerospace Launches the "Onward and Upward" Mission.
SciNews: Spectrum aborted launch.

25.03.2026 – Chinese Lange Mars 2D lanceert SuperView Neo 2 (05 & 06).
ECNS (foto’s): China launches two new test satellites.
China in Space: Third Earth Observation Satellite Pair Deployed via Taiyuan Launch Mission [Long March 2D Y105].
Space News: China sends radar mapping and GNSS augmentation sats into orbit with pair of launches.

Filmpjes:
SciNews: Long March-2D launches SuperView Neo-2 05 & 06.

27.03.2026 – SpaceX lanceert Starlink-satellieten – Group 17-17 (VSFB).
Spaceflight Now: SpaceX launches batch of Starlink satellites from the West Coast.

Filmpjes:
SpaceX via X: Watch Falcon 9 launch 25 Starlink satellites to orbit from California
SciNews: SpaceX Starlink 373 launch and Falcon 9 first stage landing, 26 March 2026.

27.03.2026 – Chinese Lange Mars 2C lanceert Shiyan-33.
China in Space: Mysterious Shiyan Research Satellite Launched From Cloudy Jiuquan [Long March 2C/YZ-1S].

Filmpjes:
CCTV: China Launches New Test Satellite.
SciNews: Long March-2C launches Shiyan-33.

Raketnieuws.

Lanceercontract voor Arianespace.
Space News: Arianespace to launch Katalyst servicing spacecraft.

Militairen zoeken alternatieven voor Vulcan.
SpaceNews: Space Force weighs launch alternatives as Vulcan faces potential months-long grounding.
Breaking Defense: Vulcan grounding could impact multiple Space Force, NRO satellite launches.

Pulsar Fusion test “fusion rocket”.
Gizmodo: Startup Successfully Ignites World’s First Fusion Rocket.

Over de beursgang van SpaceX.
De Tijd: SpaceX wil met beursgang 75 miljard dollar ophalen.

Bemande ruimtevaart / Ruimtestations.

Vervanger van Soyuz-capsule in 2028.
TASS: Russia to roll out new spacecraft to replace Soyuz in 2028 — Roscosmos deputy CEO.

ESA start laatste deel training voor de “astronaut reserve”.
ESA: ESA’s astronaut reserve begins final training block.

ISS – De blogentries.
ISS Blog: Cargo Headed to Station, Week Begins with Science Prep and Maintenance.
ISS Blog: Science and Operational Prep Work Top Wednesday’s Schedule.
ISS Blog: Expedition 74 Works Health Research and Cargo Operations on Thursday.
ISS Blog: Crew Off-Duty, Cosmonauts Work Cargo and Station Upkeep.

ISS – Meer nieuws uit het ruimtestation.
TASS: ISS operational life may be extended beyond 2028 — Roscosmos deputy head.

Filmpje:
NASA: NASA Astronaut Discusses Life In Space With University Of British Columbia– Thursday, March 26, 2026.

Nieuws uit het Chinese ruimtestation – CSS.
ECNS: Chinese astronauts harvest tomatoes in orbit as space farming advances.
CCTV (filmpje): A Decade of Growing Vegetables Aboard China's Tiangong Space Station.

BAS – Bharatiya Antariksh Station.
The Times of India: ISRO’s Bharatiya Antariksh Station first module set to launch in 2028: Advanced technologies, global space presence, and costing details.

Naar de Maan (en Mars).

NASA en CLPS / Intuitive Machines / ispace.
Space News: Lunar lander developers say they are ready to meet anticipated increased NASA demand.

NASA: NASA Selects Intuitive Machines to Deliver Artemis Science, Tech to Moon.
GovConWire: NASA Awards Intuitive Machines $180M Contract for Lunar South Pole Mission.

Space News: ispace redesigns lunar lander, introduces lunar communications service.
De Japanse pressrelease kan je hier bekijken.

NASA: NASA’s Water-Hunting Tool Will Help Scout Moon’s South Pole.

Artemis 2 – Bemanning komt aan in Florida – Voorstelling zero-g indicator.
Hetgeen voor en na de aankomst van de astronauten gebeurde, vind je in het volgende hoofdstukje.
NASA Artemis Blog: Artemis II Crew Arrives at Launch Site, Shares Moon Mascot

Spaceflight Now: Live coverage: Artemis 2 astronauts head to Florida ahead of April 1 launch attempt.
SpaceCom: Artemis 2 astronauts arrive at Kennedy Space Center ahead of NASA's historic launch around the moon.
Space Policy Online: U.S.-Canadian Astronaut Crew Ready for Flight Around the Moon.
Space News: Artemis 2 astronauts arrive at KSC

Collect Space: 'Rise'-up!: Artemis II astronauts pick plush moon as zero-g indicator.

Filmpje:
NASA: NASA's Artemis II Crew Arrives for Launch.
Spaceflight Now: NASA's Artemis 2 astronauts arrive in Florida to begin final launch preparations.

Artemis 2 – Lancering NET 2 april (onze tijd).
NASA Artemis Blog: NASA Teams Continue Artemis II Preparations at Launch Pad
NASA Artemis Blog: Artemis II Crew Arrives at Launch Site, Shares Moon Mascot

NASA: NASA Sets Coverage for First Artemis Crewed Mission Around Moon.
NASA: NASA Releases Artemis II Moon Mission Launch Countdown.

NASA: Artemis II Crew’s Suits.

SpaceCom: 1 week away! NASA gearing up to launch Artemis 2 astronauts around the moon on April 1.
Space Policy Online: NASA Gears Up for Artemis II Launch Around the Moon a Week From Now.

L3Harris: RL10 and Orion Main Engine are Key to NASA’s Historic Artemis II Journey to the Moon.

Aerospace America: NASA’s Artemis II moon mission will put these technologies to the test.
The Space Review: The science of Artemis 2.

Payload: Beyond the Rocket: The Digital Infrastructure of the Artemis II Mission.

ESA: From Europe to the Moon: ESM-2’s journey.

En nog drie interessante vergelijkingen tussen Apollo en Artemis.
The Planetary Society: 3 charts that show how Artemis compares to Apollo.

Ook dit is Artemis II.
Collect Space: Krispy Kreme to launch limited doughnut for Artemis II moon mission.

Tenslotte:
SpaceCom: Who is Artemis? Meet the Greek goddess who inspired NASA's return to the moon.

Filmpjes:
BBC: Timelapse of Artemis II rollout to launch pad.
NSF: One week to Artemis II launch - Countdown to Launch.
Video From Space: Inside Artemis II: NASA's first crewed mission back to the moon.
Video From Space: Inside Artemis II: Meet the astronauts flying around the moon.
Spaceflight Now: Meet the Artemis 2 Astronauts: Mission Commander Reid Wiseman.
Spaceflight Now: Meet the Artemis 2 Astronauts: Mission Pilot Victor Glover.
Spaceflight Now: Meet the Artemis 2 Astronauts: Mission Specialist Christina Koch.
NASA: 10 Days in Orion.
Lockheed Martin: Artemis II: The Countdown to Launch Starts Now.
ESA: We’re going to the Moon | Artemis II ESAxASH.
ESA: How Europe will power the journey to the Moon and back.

Mijn eigen bijdrages:
Volkssterrenwacht Urania: Artemis II Journaal - Het SLS staat weer op het lanceerplatform.
Volkssterrenwacht Urania: RB71/AB04 Artemis - Free Return Trajecgtory.

Artemis – Human Landing System.
Avid Space (filmpje): NASA And SpaceX Disagree on Approach To Critical Starship HLS Risk Reduction Requirements.

Artemis – Maanpakken.
NASA (filmpje): Artemis Lunar Spacesuit Testing Resource Reel March 2026.

Artemis – Een eerste maanbasis.
SpaceCom: Future Artemis missions could use fiber-optic cables to monitor moonquakes.
Space News: Musk wants to go to the moon. But how will he build his ‘self-growing city’?.

Naar de Maan en Mars.
The Science Times: Living on the Moon vs Mars: Which Is More Feasible for Future Space Colonies?
Universe Today: Mars Plant Growth from Cyanobacteria-Based Fertilizer.
The Space Review: The legal aspects of outer space settlers and settlements.

China en Rusland naar de Maan.
China in Space: Mengzhou Abort Plans, Lanyue Lander Systems Detailed in New Papers.

Starship nieuws – Wachten op v3.
NSF: Progress on Starbase Pads ahead of Block 3 Starships.

Filmpjes:
WAI: SpaceX And NASA Finally Give Out The Big Starship News! Is SLS Dead?
NSF: What's Next for Booster 19? (Headphone Warning) | SpaceX Starbase;
NSF: First Starship Static Fire on Pad 2? Booster 19 Testing Explained | Starship Update.
NSF: New Starship Launch Pad Comes Alive | Starship Update.
NSF: "Gateway is cancelled? Not at Starbase" | SpaceX Starbase.

Op ontdekking door het zonnestelsel.

Canada stopt de ontwikkeling van een maanrover.
SpaceCom:  Canada cancels its 1st moon rover: 'It's hopefully not a lost cause'

Meer nieuws uit de (inter)planetaire ruimte.

Venus:
SpaceCom: NASA's ambitious 'decade of Venus' exploration may bank on 1 probe: 'Not everything can move forward'.

Aarde:
ESA: Tracking Arctic freshwater flow from space.
NASA (filmpje): SWOT Mission Unlocks a New View of Our Waterways.
ECNS: New satellite to boost early warning capability for extreme weather events – Fengyun.
ESA: Amazon wildfire emissions up to three times higher than estimated.
Scott Manley (filmpje): New Hyperspectral Satellites See 'Impossible' Color Details.

Mars:
NASA Curiosity Status Report: Curiosity Blog, Sols 4838-4844: Wrapping Up the Boxwork Terrain.

Jupiter:
Ars Technica: A mission NASA might kill is still returning fascinating science from Jupiter – Juno.
SpaceCom: Lightning on Jupiter could be up to 1 million times stronger than on Earth.

Saturnus:
SpaceCom: Are Saturn's rings made of a lost, shattered moon? New evidence arises for the case.

Planetoïde Bennu:
Sky & Telescope: NASA Has Cracked the Mystery of Asteroid Bennu’s Boulders.

Planetoïde 2016 WP8:
China in Space: China's First Asteroid Deflection Test Mission to Begin in Late 2027.

Planetoïden:
ESA (filmpje): Flyeye: ESA’s automated asteroid hunters (with subtitles).

De tocht door de atmosfeer:
SpaceCom: Arriving safely on Venus and Titan: Different atmospheres affect heat shields differently, study shows.

Meer ruimtevaartnieuws.

Musk en DOGE.
Ars Technica: All of DOGE’s work could be undone as lawsuit against Musk proceeds.

Het Office of Space Commerce en een voorstel voor nieuwe regulering.
Space News: Office of Space Commerce releases mission authorization proposal.
Payload: Commerce Unveils One-Stop Licensing Proposal For Novel Space Missions
Aerospace America: U.S. Office of Space Commerce publishes framework for certifying ‘novel’ space operations

Veel lees- en kijkplezier,

Koen