Voor velen onder ons was de zonsverduistering van 12 augustus ongetwijfeld het hoogtepunt van afgelopen week en wellicht zelfs van deze zomer. Maar voor de Chinezen en de Lange Mars 7A begon de week minder mooi met een mislukte lancering. Dat en nog veel meer in het Nieuws Uit De Ruimtevaart van deze week.

Bij de foto: Ettelijke uren voor we in Europa konden genieten van de eclips, zorgde Proba-3 voor zijn 65ste eclips. Het beeld gaf meteen een indruk van wat de waarnemers op de grond van de corona mochten verwachten. Foto: ESA/Proba-3/ASPIICS.

De zonsverduistering.

De zonsverduistering van 12 augustus.
ESA: How ESA mimics and models the 2026 total solar eclipse.
ESA: Proba-3 mimics the 2026 total solar eclipse.
ESA Blog: Proba-3’s prediction of the 2026 total solar eclipse.
ESA: Proba-3’s eclipse hours before totality in Europe

Een filmpje van EUMETSAT met beelden van de verduistering vanuit de ruimte genomen door de Europese MTG-I1.

SpaceCom: The ISS photobombs the sun during the total solar eclipse | Space photo of the day for Aug. 14, 2026.

Maar de eclips werd ook waargenomen door de astronauten.
Zie foto 1, foto 2 en foto 3.

De lanceringen van de afgelopen week.

10.08.2026 – Lange Mars 7A ontploft kort na de lancering van ChinaSat 4B.
ECNS: Launch mission of Chinese satellite Zhongxing-4B fails.
PanDaily: Long March 7A Rocket Failure Destroys Zhongxing 4B Satellite — China's Fourth Orbital Launch Setback of 2026.

Space News: Chinese Long March 7A rocket explodes shortly after liftoff.
SpaceCom: Chinese rocket explodes less than 90 seconds after liftoff.
Ars Technica: One of China’s workhorse rockets just exploded in flight.
China in Space: ChinaSat Spacecraft Lost in Failed Wenchang Launch [Long March 7A Y16].
Space Policy Online: Chinese LM-7A Rocket Fails.
CNA: China says Long March 7A rocket launch failed after flight anomaly.

China in Space: Ramifications of Long March 7A Failure to Be Clear Soon.
NSF: Amid failure, Wenchang celebrates milestone as China launches AI satellites and prepares for lunar south pole mission

Filmpjes:
Scott Manley (shorts): Chinese Rocket 'Snapped In Half' And Exploded.
Scott Manley: China's Rocket Literally Bent Under Pressure!

10.08.2026 – Japanse HIII lanceert Michibiki 7.
JAXA: Launch Schedule of MICHIBIKI No. 7, Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZS-7) aboard H3 Launch Vehicle Flight No.9 (H3 F9) [Rescheduled] （Addition of Reserved Launch Period.
JAXA: Launch Schedule of MICHIBIKI No. 7, Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZS-7) aboard H3 Launch Vehicle flight No.9 [Rescheduled].
JAXA: Launch Schedule of MICHIBIKI No. 7, Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZS-7) aboard H3 Launch Vehicle flight No.9 [Rescheduled].
JAXA: Launch time and Launch window of MICHIBIKI No. 7, Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZS-7) aboard H3 Launch Vehicle flight No.9.
JAXA: Launch result of MICHIBIKI No. 7, Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZS-7) aboard H3 Launch Vehicle flight No.9.

Japan Today: H3 Rocket No. 9 Successfully Launches Japan GPS Satellite.

Space News: H3 launches navigation satellite.
SpaceCom: Japanese H3 rocket launches 10,800-pound navigation satellite to high Earth orbit.

Filmpjes:
JAXA: Voorafgaandelijke persconferentie.
JAXA: Live uitzending lancering.
JAXA: Hoogtepunten lancering.
JAXA: Persconferentie.
SciNews: H3 launches QZS-7.

11.08.2026 – SpaceX lanceert Starlink-satellieten – Group 10-19 (CCSFS).
Spaceflight Now: SpaceX launches Tuesday noontime Starlink mission following Monday scrub.
SpaceCom: SpaceX launches 29 Starlink satellites to orbit from Florida.

Filmpjes:
SpaceX via X: Watch Falcon 9 launch 29 Starlink satellites to orbit from Florida.
SciNews: SpaceX Starlink 413 launch and Falcon 9 first stage landing, 11 August 2026.

12.08.2026 – SpaceX lanceert Starlink-satellieten – Group 17-49 (VSFB).
Spaceflight Now: SpaceX launches 24 Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg SFB.
SpaceCom: SpaceX wraps Starlink double header day with the launch of 24 Starlink satellites from California.

Filmpjes:
SpaceX via X: Watch Falcon 9 launch 24 Starlink satellites to orbit from California.
SciNews: SpaceX Starlink 414 launch and Falcon 9 first stage landing, 12 August 2026.

Te verwachten lanceringen.

30.08.2026 – De lancering van de Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope.
NASA Blog: NASA’s Roman Space Telescope Begins Integrated Operations for Launch.

Filmpjes:
STScI: NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope: Countdown to Exploration.

Raketnieuws.

Eerste RFA-lancering voor onbepaalde tijd uitgesteld.
Space News: Tank problem delays first RFA launch.

Franse CNES werkt aan ASTRE, een herbruikbare raketmotor.
European Spaceflight: CNES Sets 2028 Target for Hot-Fire Test of New High-Thrust Rocket Engine.

Britse Gravitlab Aerospace stopt ermee.
European Spaceflight: Suborbital Rocket Builder Gravitilab Enters Liquidation.

RocketLab – Eerste Neutron wellicht eerst in 2027 – Lanceren van overal?
Space News: First Neutron launch may slip to 2027.
Spaceflight Now: Window for 2026 launch debut of Rocket Lab’s Neutron rocket ‘is narrowing’ as development continues.

Space News: Rocket Lab builds deployable infrastructure for Electron launches.
SpaceCom: 'Launching anywhere, anytime and without compromise': Rocket Lab unveils new 'GHOST' portable spaceport system.

Space News: Kepler books Neutron for 2028 optical relay launch.
SpaceQ: Kepler Communications buys first dedicated launch, booking Rocket Lab’s Neutron.

NSF: Rocket Lab advances via series of announcements.

Via Satellite: Rocket Lab Margins Under the Microscope Following 2Q Earnings.
The Motley Fool: Why Rocket Lab Stock Plummeted 36.1% Last Month But Is Soaring in August.
European Spaceflight: Rocket Lab Establishes German Subsidiary.
Payload: Rocket Lab Enters Europe’s Crowded Launch Market.

Filmpjes:
RocketLab: GHOST: Rocket Lab's Deployable Launch Site.

Blue Origin – Updates.
Blue Origin: Returning Launch Complex 36 to Two Pads: Blue Origin Begins Construction of LC-36B.
Space News: Blue Origin outlines plans for second Cape Canaveral launch pad.
Fox35: Blue Origin doubling launch pads at LC 36 following New Glenn Explosion: 'Picking up the speed'.
NSF: Blue Origin overviews plan for dual pad ops at Cape Canaveral.

Blue Origin: Blue Origin Begins Global Rollout of Quartz Ground Station Network.
GeekWire: Blue Origin unveils its Quartz network of ground stations, with RBC Signals serving as a partner.

Firefly Aerospace test Miranda-motor voor Eclipse raket. Alpha Block 2 eind dit jaar?
Spaceflight Now:  Firefly Aerospace pushes debut of Alpha Block 2 rocket to the fourth quarter of 2026.
Space News: Firefly increases vehicle production even as launches lag.
Payload: Firefly Announces Record Q2 Results.

Filmpje:
Firefly Aerospace: Eclipse Rocket: Miranda Engine Endurance Test.

Een update van Relativity Space.

Fiflmpje:
Relativity Space: Terran R July 2026 Program Update.

Virgin Galactic vliegt weer eerst in 2027.
Virgin Galactic: Virgin Galactic Announces Second Quarter 2026 Financial Results and Provides Business Update.
Space News: Virgin Galactic delays resumption of commercial flights to 2027.
SpaceCom: Virgin Galactic delays next commercial spaceflight to 2027.
Inside Outer Space: Virgin Galactic: New Seat Price and Name That Spaceship.
Collect Space: Virgin Galactic wants your help naming its new Delta-class SpaceShip.
Ars Technica: Virgin Galactic wants your help naming its new Delta class spaceship.

Albuquerque Jounral: Spaceport America says Virgin Galactic has slashed payments for services, hurting budget.
KRQE: Spaceport says pause in Virgin Galactic spaceflights has caused budget shortfall.

Zie Virgin Galactic: “We builtit. You name it.” voor meer details.

Wallops bereidt zich voor op meer lanceringen.
Space News: Wallops gears up for an increase in launches.

Chinese Orienspace vindt geld voor herbruikbare Gravity 2. Verwacht meer lanceringen voor Gravity 1.
Space News: Chinese launch startup Orienspace targets IPO, secures funding for reusable Gravity-2 rocket.
China in Space: Orienspace Preparing Fourth Flight in Accelerated Gravity-1 Cadence.

Ook Chinese iSpace vind extra  geld, o.a. voor Hyperbola 3.
Space News: China’s iSpace raises first batch of series E funding for reusable rocketry.

Lanceertoerisme in China.

Filmpje:
New China TV: Rocket launch boosts space tourism in east China.

De prijs van een lancering.
Inside Outer Space: From Sputnik to Starship: Launch Costs and the Experience Curve.

ISRO test upgrade motor SSLV.
ISRO:  ISRO tests an improved version of the first stage of Small Satellite Launch vehicle (SSLV).
India Today: Isro fires more powerful version of engine that will launch SSLV to space.

Bemande ruimtevaart / Ruimtestations.

Ruimtewandeling voor Sophie Adenot op 18 augustus.

Filmpje:
ESA: Countdown to Sophie Adenot's first spacewalk.

ISS – De blogentries.
ISS Blog: Station Crew Gears Up for Next Spacewalk, Keeps Up Microgravity Research.
ISS Blog: Crew Works Vein Scans For Health and Suit Checks for Spacewalk.
ISS Blog: Ongoing Spacewalk Preps, Emergency Training Keep Crew Busy on Wednesday.
ISS Blog: Thursday Packed with More Spacewalk Preps and Advanced Tech Research.
ISS Blog: Week Ends Aboard Station With Robotics, Spacewalk Reviews, and Science.

Meer nieuws uit het ISS.
BIRA: Final goodbye from the ISS crew to FSL

NASA: NASA Shares Station Research Today Supporting Moon, Mars Tomorrow.

The Times of India: 3 Russian cosmonauts wave tricolour from int’l Space Station to wish India on its 80th I-day; Recall decades-old Delhi-Moscow friendship.

Wired: Space Agencies Are Trying to Keep Astronauts From Losing Their Sight.
PhysOrg: Space travel doesn't affect the strength of heart muscle cells, study finds.

Nieuws uit het Chinese ruimtestation – CSS.
China in Space: Health of Shenzhou-23 Taikonauts Monitored With Microgravity Experiments.

Filmpjes:
CCTV: Shenzhou-23 Crew Advances Space Science Experiments, Interacts with Robot Assistant.

Naar de Maan (en Mars).

Artemis I.
SpaceCom: Radiation-shielding vest aced Artemis I lunar test, could protect astronauts on moon and Mars missions.

Artemis III.
Space Policy Online: Isaacman “Extremely Confident” Artemis III Will Launch in 2027.
Spaceflight Now: NASA Administrator ‘extremely confident’ in Artemis 3 mission in 2027.

Artemis – Lunar Gateway.
Payload: MDA Space Will ‘Repurpose’ Canadarm3 For Lunar Surface.
Space News: Paragon lays off staff after Gateway cancellation.
SpaceCom: NASA's canceled lunar space station tech will help build the Artemis moon base.

Artemis – Moon Base – India wordt gevraagd mee te doen.
The Times of India: NASA invites ISRO for Moon base programme, seeks wider space cooperation with India.
The Times of India: NASA invites ISOR to join Moon base programme.
SpaceCom: India-US space ties deepen as NASA invites ISRO to join moon base program.
Insights on India: The Moon Base Programme.

Artemis – Moon Base.
NASA: Building the Moon Base: NASA Stories at the Ion.

NASA Watch: NASA Moonbase RFI Seeks Your Input.
Payload: NASA Opens Call on Moon Base Health Research.
SatNews: Lunar Station Corp Integrates NASA Datasets to Model Commercial Surface Infrastructure.

NASA en Space Reactor-1 – SR 1 – Freedom.
Space News: National lab visit boosts NASA’s confidence in space nuclear propulsion mission.
Aerospace America: Panelists point to cost, production as key challenges for space nuclear power and propulsion.

Space Daily: NASA tested a nuclear rocket engine dozens of times in the 1960s, proved it could work, then shelved it before it ever flew — and now the same basic idea is being revived because it could make the trip to Mars far shorter than chemical rockets allow.

Naar de Maan en Mars.
NSF: Artemis progress building lunar return roadmap.

NASA: NASA Completes Astronaut-Deployed Science Instrument for Lunar Surface – LEMS.
VICE: Why NASA Wants to Send a Laser-Powered Drone Into Caves Beneath the Moon.

NASA: NASA Data Helps Commercial Space Plan Living Off Our Moon.

Filmpjes:
Philip Sloss: Artemis Q&A Livestream: August 2026.

China naar de Maan.
CNN: What we know about China’s moon-landing plans and why the US is so worried.

Starship – De redding van Ship 40 – In afwachting van Flight 14, de eerste orbitale vlucht (?).
NSF: Starbase Production lining up future vehicles.

Filmpjes:
NSF: SpaceX Says Starship’s Heat Shield Is Solved, But Is It? | Starship Update.
WAI: SpaceX Just Reactivated The Oil Rig Plan! What's Going On?
NSF: Late Night Rolls (and Bonus Ship 42) - Starbase Summary.
WAI: SpaceX Just Changed Everything: The Secret Behind Flight 14.

Op ontdekking door het zonnestelsel.

05.08.2026 – Een afgedankte Falcon 9 crasht op de Maan.
Het gros aan info vond je in vorige NUDR.
SpaceCom: SpaceX rocket's moon crash highlights 'a tangible operational risk' of lunar settlement.
Scott Manley (filmpje): Smashing Stuff Into The Moon.... For Science????

Meer nieuws uit de (inter)planetaire ruimte.

Zon:
BBC: Indian solar mission's new findings throw light on enduring Sun mysteries.

Aarde:
ESA: Wildfires, drought and extreme heat, 2026.
ESA: Drought hits rivers in southern Norway.
VRTNWS: Europees satellietsysteem Copernicus brengt schade in kaart bij aardbeving Colombia.
Space News: BlackSky wins seven-figure, multiyear international contract.
NASA: Cascade Volcanoes Shrouded in Smoke.

Maan:
Universe Today: How to Find Lunar Ice? Moonquakes to the Rescue!

Mars:
NASA Curiosity Status Report: Curiosity Blog, Sols 4968-4974: Rock Climbing Towards the Discontinuity.
Universe Today: NASA's MAVEN Illuminates New Understanding of Auroras at Mars.
Universe Today: The Odds of Finding Water on Mars.

Jupiter:
Universe Today: Europa's Interior Ocean Could be Harder to Reach Than We Thought.

Pluto:
SpaceCom: Pluto's atmosphere is collapsing as it drifts away from the sun into a deep freeze.

Planetoïden:
Inside Outer Space: Exercise Caution! Asteroid Impact Scenario.

Aan de rand van het zonnestelsel
Popular Science: NASA successfully gives Voyager 2 another year of life.

Meer ruimtevaartnieuws.

Problemen bij de redding van SWIFT.
NASA Blog: NASA Swift Boost Spacecraft Prepares to Continue Mission.
Space News: Katalyst Space makes progress in restoring control of Swift servicing spacecraft.

SpaceX en Starfall.
Op 23.06 lanceerde SpaceX zijn Starfall-demo – Zie NUDR Week 2026/26–809 voor meer nieuws.
31.03 – Space News: FAA documents outline SpaceX plans for Starfall reentry vehicles.
10.06 – Scott Manley (filmpje): Starfall - SpaceX's Surprise New Spacecraft.
04.08 – Space News: SpaceX’s new Starfall program offers validation and competition for reentry startups.
06.08 – Space News: Redwire to fly dedicated Starfall mission for microgravity research.

Meer nieuws over andere reentry-tuigen.
10.07 – Space News: ElevationSpace advances work on commercial reentry vehicle.
13.07 – Space News: Reditus Space completes first reentry vehicle.
28.07 – Payload: Outlier Space Raises $7.3M to Build New Zealand’s First Reentry Vehicle.
10.08 – Space News: Astrolight, ATMOS Space Cargo eye first in-flight laser link between reentry vehicle, satellite – PHOENIX.

Ruimteafval spoelt aan op Australische kusten.
Zie NUDR Week 2026/28–811 voor eerdere berichtgeving.
22.07 – Space News: Metal spheres found in Australia show how little we still know about falling space debris, experts say.
Een interessant overzicht vind je hier: Paul D. Maley: History of space and launch debris recoveries.

Het opruimen van afgedankte satellieten – De Space Force en Deorbit-as-a-Service.
Air and Space Forces: Plan to Deorbit Old Satellites Gains Steam with New Deals.
Firefly Aerospace: Firefly Aerospace Awarded Contract to Design Elytra Deorbit System for Defense Innovation Unit.
Katalyst Space: DIU Selects Katalyst Space for Deorbit-as-a-Service Program Supporting SDA.

Space Force verzamelt data over reenttry van (Starlink)-satellieten.
Air and Space Forces: Why Deorbiting SpaceX Satellites Is a ‘Tremendous Opportunity’ for the Space Force.
Zie ook de twitter-feed van S4S_SDA ( US Space Forces – Space voor een wekelijks overzicht van lanceringen en reentries.

Ruimteafval – SSA of Space Situational Awareness.
30.03 – ISS National Lab: Addressing the Problem of Space Debris With an Orbital Tow Truck.
07.04 – EU Horizon: Rethinking space junk in an age of satellite overload
08.04 – Space News: Improved thresholds and SSA accuracy can reduce most satellite collision risk.
13.04 – Space News: Citra Space raises $15 million Series A to expand platform for identifying objects in orbit.
05.05 – SpaceCom: These 2 companies want to start removing space junk from orbit in 2027.
06.05 – SpaceCom: Solar activity makes space junk crash to Earth faster.
21.05 – SpaceCom: Space debris is forcing satellites to dodge more often — costing us vital science. 'Things will get worse before they get better'.
02.06 – Space News: Researchers call for regulations to protect low Earth orbit environment.
17.06 – Space News: Look Up and Skynopy partner on automated satellite collision avoidance service.
25.06 – Breaking Defense: China dumping more rocket bodies in space, endangering low Earth orbit satellites: Report.
29.06 – The Space Review: Security and sustainability in space: a proposed cap-and-trade model for orbital debris mitigation.
08.07 – University of Warwick: More than meets the eye: astronomers dig deep to find tiny but dangerous space debris.
13.07 – SpaceCom: Space junk debris cloud discovered in high-traffic orbit 'is a potential minefield' for the costliest satellites.
14.07 – TASS:  Roscosmos, NASA to coordinate satellite operations to prevent collisions.
15.07 – SpaceCom: Every SpaceX Starlink satellite has to dodge a collision almost weekly, and experts fear the worst.
20.07 – European Spaceflight: UK Misses Deadline to Award Contract for Space Debris Removal Mission.
22.07 – IEEE Spectrum: Plasma Tunnels Reveal How Dying Satellites Really Fall to Earth Aluminum ash from satellites’ reentry may alter the atmosphere.
27.07 – ECNS: China begins building commercial space debris monitoring network.
30.07 – Universe Today: Tracking Satellites and Space Debris Using Radio Antennae.
01.08 – SatTrackCam Leiden: The reentry of Starlink-1541 over the northern Netherlands on 24 July 2026.
05.08 – De Standaard: We vervuilen onze dampkring nu ook langs boven.

Project Aurora – Optus enhet Mission Extrension Vehicle MEV.
SatNews: Optus Completes First Phase of Project Aurora Following On-Orbit Servicing Undocking.
Inside Outer Space: Project Aurora: Satellite Life Extension Mission.

Astranis en Perceptor.
Astranis: Astranis Launches Perceptor, Expanding into Space Domain Awareness and Maneuverability.
SpaceCom: New private 'Perceptor' probes will keep an eye on satellites high above Earth.
Space News: Astranis unveils geostationary surveillance satellite.

De oorlog rond Iran.
Defense One: Iran war reveals protection of space assets on bases has to ‘evolve,’ top general says.

Space Force / Golden Dome / PWSA.
10.08 – ExecutivGov: Space Force Plans 2027 Flight Demonstrations for Golden Dome’s Orbital Interceptors.
11.08 – Space News: SpaceX increasing footprint in missile defense.
11.08 – Space News: Golden Dome money starting to reach contractors, but long-term funding still unclear.
11.08 – Aerospace America: Guetlein: Golden Dome has ‘first operational site’ and completed two tests.
11.08 – Space News: Golden Dome faces 2027 funding cliff.
11.08 – Defense One: ‘There is no Golden Dome’ unless Congress prioritizes funding, general warns.
11.08 – Air & Space Forces: Budget Instability Puts Golden Dome at Risk, Guetlein Warns.
12.08 – Defense One: Five things Space Command says it needs to win tomorrow’s wars.
12.08 – Space News: Space Command identifies capabilities it needs for the next space war.
12.08 – Breaking Defense: Should the US demonstrate its space weapons?.
12.08 – Breaking Defense: Space-based interceptor contractors passed first Golden Dome milestone: Guetlein.
12.08 – Space News: Pentagon missile buildup changing the factory floor.
12.08 – Space News: Space Force orders two more Impulse Space vehicles for maneuvering demonstrations – Victus Salo – Mira.
13.08 – Air and Space Forces: Space Force Plans Two More Missions to Test Tactically Responsive Maneuvers.
13.08 – Payload: Exclusive: Space Kinetic Awarded $50M for Space Maneuverability – Whirlwind.
13.08 – TWZ: New Anti-Satellite Weapons Now Officially A Top U.S. Priority.

Stroom vanuit de ruimte – Space-Based Solar Power – SBSP.
29.06 – The Space Review: A new age for astronomy enabled by space-based solar power.
16.07 – Space News: Defense Innovation Unit seeks commercial path to deliver electrical power from orbit.
16.07 – Executiv Gov: DIU Seeks Commercial Technologies to Beam Power Across Space and to Earth.
20.07 – News on Japan: Japan Targets Breakthrough in Race for Solar Power From Space.

Astronaut Mike Fincke verlaat NASA.
NASA: NASA Astronaut Mike Fincke Leaves NASA, Career Includes 4 Spaceflights.
Spaceflight Now: Mike Fincke, a 30-year astronaut with experience across four spacecraft, retires from NASA.
SpaceCom: NASA astronaut Mike Fincke retires after 30 years at the space agency.

Chinese ruimtevaartpioneer overlijdt op 105 jarige leeftijd.
ECNS: Wang Xiji, pioneer of China's space program, dies at 105.
China in Space: Wang Xiji, Chief Designer of China's First Launch Vehicle, Passes Away at 105.

De afgelopen maanden overleden verscheidene ruimtevaarders.
21;03 – Collect Space: Mike Melvill, commercial astronaut who piloted SpaceShipOne, dies.
22.05 – Collect Space: ohn Fabian, NASA astronaut who was first to catch a satellite, dies.
17.06 – Collect Space: Aleksandr Samokutyaev, 56, is first former ISS crew member to die.
18.06 – Ars Technica: The first long-duration resident of the ISS, a cosmonaut, has died.
22.06 – Collect Space: Cosmonaut Abdul Ahad Momand, first Afghan in space, dies at 67.
11.07 – Collect Space: Cosmonaut Aleksandr Aleksandrov, second Bulgarian in space, dies.

Veel lees- en kijkplezier,

Koen