Of de Maan na deze week wat dichterbij is gekomen, dat moet de toekomst uitwijzen. Maar deze week beëindigde de SLS Core Stage met succes de Green Run, een reeks testen die ongeveer een jaar geduurd hebben. De laatste test – de Hot Fire – was nog maar pas afgelopen, of in Boca Chica werden twee helften van de SuperHeavy op elkaar geplaatst. Musk gelooft dat nog dit jaar (in de zomer?) een combinatie van SuperHeavy/Starship een orbitale lancering gaat uitvoeren. Het wordt weer een warme zomer. Dat en nog veel meer in het Nieuws Uit De Ruimtevaart van deze week.

Bij de foto: Op 18 maart kreeg de Core Stage een tweede kans. Deze keer verliep de Hot Fire volledig volgens plan. NASA bekijkt nu wanneer het SLS voor de eerste keer kan gelanceerd worden. Artemis 1 wordt wel een onbemande vlucht, een test van die SLS-raket en van de Orion-capsule. Foto: NASA.

SLS – Green Run Hot Fire #2 geslaagd.
NASA: NASA TV to Air Second Rocket Test for Artemis Moon Missions.
NASA Artemis Blog: Green Run Update: Power Up Started for Hot Fire Test.
NASA Artemis Blog: Green Run Update: Hot Fire Exposes Core Stage to Spaceflight Stresses.
NASA Artemis Blog: Green Run Update: Test Teams Gives “Go” to Proceed with Tanking.
NASA Artemis Blog: Green Run Update: Tanking Complete for Rocket Hot Fire Test.
NASA Artemis Blog: Green Run Update: Terminal Countdown Sequence Started.
NASA Artemis Blog: Green Run Update: Engines Igniting as Hot Fire Gets Underway.
NASA Artemis Blog: Green Run Update: Full Duration Hot Fire Successfully Completed on Mar. 18.

NASA: NASA Mega Moon Rocket Passes Key Test, Readies for Launch.
Boeing: Boeing Statement on Completion of Space Launch System Hot Fire Test.
Aerojet Rocketdyne: Successful SLS Core Stage Hot-Fire Test Puts America One Step Closer To Returning To The Moon.

Space News: NASA to revisit Artemis 1 launch date after Green Run test.
Collect Space: NASA fires up Space Launch System core stage in 'Green Run' test.
SpaceCom: NASA fires up its 1st SLS megarocket for moon flights in a critical engine test.
NasaSpaceFlight: NASA Stennis ready to support second SLS Core Stage static fire.
NasaSpaceFlight: NASA looking to confirm certification objectives as SLS Core Stage completes second static fire.
Spaceflight Now: NASA’s moon rocket scores an ‘A+‘ on critical engine test.

Enkele beschouwingen:
The Space Review: The case for scrapping the Space Launch System.
Ars Technica: NASA has begun a study of the SLS rocket’s affordability [Updated].
NY Times: NASA’s Last Rocket.

Space Policy Online: Jurczyk: Artemis 1 Schedule To Firm Up In a Few Weeks.

De filmpjes:
NASA: NASA's Second Hot Fire Test for the Artemis Moon Rocket (live uitzending).
Boeing: 499.6 seconds: NASA and Boeing Complete Hot Fire-2 for Space Launch System Core Stage.
America Space: NASA Test Fires SLS Moon Rocket, REMOTE CAMERA VIEWS!
NASA: Updates on NASA's Successful Hot Fire Test for the Artemis Moon Rocket.

SpaceX lanceert (alweer) 60 Starlink-satellieten – Met de 9de geslaagde lancering/landing van de eerste trap.
Teslarati: SpaceX rocket booster aces 9th launch and landing for the first time.

NasaSpaceFlight: SpaceX’s Falcon 9 booster flies for 9th time as Starlink constellation grows.
Space News: SpaceX sets new booster reuse mark with Starlink launch.
Spaceflight Now: SpaceX extends its own rocket reuse record on Starlink launch.

Filmpjes:
SpaceX: Starlink Mission.
SciNews: SpaceX Starlink 22 launch & Falcon 9 first stage landing, 14 March 2021.

Soyuz in nieuwe kleuren – Lancering van 38 satellieten met twee dagen uitgesteld.
Roscosmos: 38 satellites from 18 countries will be delivered into orbit from Baikonur Cosmodrome on March 20.
Roscosmos: Soyuz-2 rocket new color scheme (met foto’s).

Sputnik News: Russia’s Legendary Soyuz Space Rocket Gets New Paint Job for First Time in Over 50 Years.
Collect Space: Russia's Soyuz-2 sports new look inspired by Yuri Gagarin's rocket.

Spaceflight Now: Soyuz rocket with special paint scheme rolls out to Baikonur launch pad.
TASS: Launch of Soyuz rocket carrying 38 satellites rescheduled for backup date.
TASS: Launch of Soyuz rocket rescheduled due to voltage spike, Roscosmos CEO says.
Space News: Soyuz-2 rideshare launch delayed for South Korea, Astroscale, dozens more.

TASS: Launch of Soyuz-2.1a with 38 satellites from 18 countries rescheduled to March 22.

Filmpjes:
SciNews: Soyuz-2.1a ready to launch CAS500-1.
De “scrub” van de lancering kan je via dit live-verslag zien (in het Russisch) op Roscosmos TV.

ISS – Ruimtewandeling EVA-73.
NasaSpaceFlight: EVA-73 concludes, continuing Station maintenance & upgrade tasks.
Spaceflight Now: Garbage pallet jettisoned from space station will stay in orbit two-to-four years.
PhysOrg: Spacewalkers take extra safety precautions for toxic ammonia.

Filmpjes:
NASA: Spacewalk to Conduct Maintenance Outside the International Space Station.

ISS – Soyuz MS-17 wordt verplaatst.
Zie ook de NASA Space Station Blog entries verderop.

Roscosmos: ISS crew getting ready for Soyuz MS-17 redocking.
Space Daily: ISS crew to relocate Soyuz to make room for new arrivals.
PhysOrg: Space station crew to relocate Soyuz to make room for new crewmates.

TASS: Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft re-docks to ISS for future spacewalk operations.
NasaSpaceFlight: ISS shuffles docking ports ahead of busy schedule.

Filmpjes:
NASA: Space Station Crew Relocate Soyuz Spacecraft (live uitzending).
NASA: Expedition 64 Soyuz MS17 Relocation Timelapse - March 19, 2021.
SciNews: Soyuz MS-17 relocation.

ISS – Voorbereidingen op de vlucht van Soyuz MS-18. Vande Hei één jaar in de ruimte?
NASA: NASA Astronaut Mark Vande Hei Available for Interviews Prior to Launch.
PhysOrg: US astronaut launching next month may spend year in space.
Space Policy Online: A One-Year Mission for Vande Hei?
Space News: NASA astronaut may have extended stay on ISS.
NASA Watch: Why Are American Astronauts Flying On Standby?

Filmpjes:
NASA: Expedition 65 Crew News Conference - Mark Vande Hei - March 15, 2021.

ISS – Crew 2 en ESA’s Thomas Pesquet.
ESA: Keeping up with Thomas.

Filmpje:
ESA: Thomas Pesquet: Biography and training.
ESA: Alpha pre-launch press briefing.
ESA: Underwater spacewalk training with Thomas Pesquet.

ISS – Een Rus met een Crew Dragon in 2023.
Russia Today: Roscosmos names Russian cosmonaut expected to fly to ISS aboard SpaceX Crew Dragon ship.

ISS – Vlaamse kaas in het ruimtestation.
De Morgen: NASA-astronaute laat West-Vlaamse kaas naar ISS sturen.
News Monkey: Belgische kaas trekt naar de ruimte op vraag van astronaute.

ISS – De blogentries, Daily Summary Reports en Science Highlights.
NASA Space Station Blog: NASA TV Broadcasts Saturday Morning Spacewalk.
NASA Space Station Blog: Astronauts Power Up Suits, Spacewalk Begins.
NASA Space Station Blog: NASA Astronauts Complete Year’s Fifth Spacewalk at Station.
NASA Space Station Blog: After a Saturday Spacewalk, an Emergency Drill and Hardware Maintenance Fills the Crew’s Schedule.
NASA Space Station Blog: Crew Furthers Human Research While Prepping for Soyuz Relocation.
NASA Space Station Blog: Maintenance Tasks Feature Prominently Mid-Week for Expedition 64.
NASA Space Station Blog: Day Before Soyuz Relocation, Astronauts Continue Studies on Microgravity’s Influence.
NASA Space Station Blog: Soyuz Crew Ship Prepares to Move to New Station Port.
NASA Space Station Blog: Three Crewmates Complete Short Station Trip in Soyuz Crew Ship.

NASA: ISS Daily Summary Report – 03/12/2021.
NASA: ISS Daily Summary Report – 03/15/2021.
NASA: ISS Daily Summary Report – 03/16/2021.
NASA: ISS Daily Summary Report – 03/17/2021.
NASA: ISS Daily Summary Report – 03/18/2021.

NASA: Space Station Science Highlights: Week of March 15, 2021.

ISS – Meer nieuws uit het ruimtestation.
SpaceSleuth: Soyuz crewing plans for 2021 now clearer.

Het lek is dus nog niet weg. Lang leve de theeblaadjes.
Sputnik News: ISS Crew Once Again Uses Tea Leaves to Locate Air Leak in Russian Module Zvezda.

Gizmodo: ISS Ditches 2.9-Ton Pallet of Batteries, Creating Its Most Massive Piece of Space Trash.

ESA: European science on Space Station in February.
SciTechDaily: From Vitamin C to Spinach: Researching Ways to Protect Astronaut Cardiovascular Health From Space Radiation.
Eurek Alert: Three bacterial strains discovered on space station may help grow plants on Mars.
AstroBlogs: Drie compleet nieuwe bacteriestammen ontdekt op het ISS.

NASA: Newly Named Asteroids Reflect Contributions of Pioneering Astronauts.

Filmpjes:
NASA: Space to Ground: Tournament Earth: 03/19/2021.
NASA: SpaceCast Weekly - March 19, 2021.
SciNews: HTV-9 external pallet released from the International Space Station.
NASA: Expedition 64 Inflight with Good Day L A and WBZ TV Boston - March 18, 2021.
MBRSC: Hazzaa AlMansoori and Sultan AlNeyadi training at the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory.
JAXA: Small Satellites Deployment from “Kibo” (TAUSAT-1,STARS-EC).
JAXA: Small Satellites Deployment from “Kibo” (OPUSAT-II, BIRDS-4, RSP-01,WARP-01).

ISS – De Russen en de toekomst van het ruimtestation.
TASS: Roscosmos is more interested in creating a national orbital station, says CEO.

SpaceX – Starship SN11 – En plots staat daar BN1.
Teslarati: SpaceX Starship aborts Raptor engine test, briefly catches fire.
Teslarati: SpaceX bid Starship to launch NASA cubesat constellation.
Teslarati: SpaceX stacks first Super Heavy, creating largest rocket booster ever built.
Teslarati: SpaceX CEO Elon Musk confirms Q3 2021 target for first orbital Starship launch.

NasaSpaceFlight: Starship SN11 prepares to fly as SpaceX pushes for Orbital flight this summer.
Inside Outer Space: FAA Scoping Report: SpaceX Starship/Super Heavy Launcher.
SpaceCom: Elon Musk shows off SpaceX's 1st Starship Super Heavy booster.
Spacepage: SpaceX zet voor het eerst een Super Heavy rakettrap in elkaar.

Filmpjes:
NasaSpaceFlight: SpaceX Boca Chica - Thermal Protection Tiles Installed on New Aft Skirt.
NasaSpaceFlight: SpaceX Boca Chica: SN11 Ready for Next Static Fire Attempt.
NasaSpaceFlight: SpaceX Boca Chica: Starship SN11 Abort Static Fire - SN7.2 Moved to the Production Site.
NasaSpaceFlight: SpaceX Boca Chica: Starship SN18 Aft & Engine Section Mated - Mystery Poles Attached to Structure.
NasaSpaceFlight: SpaceX Boca Chica: Bridge Crane for the High Bay arrives - Starship SN11 Waits.
NasaSpaceFlight: SpaceX Boca Chica - Orbital Launch Site progresses, crane preps for Super Heavy booster stacking.
NasaSpaceFlight: SpaceX Boca Chica: Super Heavy Booster BN1 Stacked.
NasaSpaceFlight: SpaceX Boca Chica: GSE Tank 1 Stacked - Flap Installed on New Nosecone.
NasaSpaceFlight: Starship SN11 Wiggles all of its Flaps | SpaceX Boca Chica.
LabPadre: Fire at SpaceX Boca Chica Shipyard.

What About It: When will SpaceX’s Starship SN11 fly & what will the orbital launch mount look like?
Engineering Today: Spacex Starship Wants to Begin First Orbital Launch Attempt As Early As Q3 2021: Elon Musk Confirms.
Cosmic Perspective: SpaceX Super Heavy Booster BN1 - Binaural Sounds of Stacking.
What About It: SpaceX Starship Super Heavy BN1 Stacked! - Orbital Launches By July 1st? SN11 Ready?

En nog even terugblikken:
Teslarati: SpaceX recaps historic Starship landing in 4K as next ship readies for flight.

De beelden vind je hier.

Mars – Perseverance & Ingenuity.
NASA: Another First: Perseverance Captures the Sounds of Driving on Mars.
NASA: NASA to Host Briefing to Preview First Mars Helicopter Flights.
SpaceCom: The Mars helicopter on NASA's Perseverance rover could fly in early April.
Universe Today: Perseverance’s Landing Seen in Full Color, Thanks to Citizen Science.

Filmpjes:
NASA: Mars Report: Update on NASA’s Perseverance Rover & Ingenuity Helicopter (March 19, 2021).
Los Alamos National Lab: The first sounds from SuperCam on the Perseverance Rover.
NASA JPL: Meet Mars 2020, NASA's Next Rover (live public talk).
NASA JPL: Helicopters in Space (live public talk).

Nieuws uit de (inter)planetaire ruimte.

Aarde:
NASA Earth Observatory: Picturing Earth: Eye of the Beholder.
ESA: Maps to improve forest biomass estimates.
NASA: NASA ARSET: LIDAR and its Applications, Part 1/4.

Maan:
ESA: Galileo will help Lunar Pathfinder navigate around Moon.
Science Alert: 'Lunar Ark' Could Safeguard Millions of Species' DNA on The Moon.
RoomEU: Engineers propose a "Lunar Ark" to preserve millions of species' DNA on the Moon.
Parabolic Arc: NASA JSC Receives Griffin Lunar Lander Model for Rover Testing.

Mars:
NASA Curiosity Status Report: Sol 3060: The Vastness of Time.
NASA Curiosity Status Report: Sol 3061: The Fascination of Hilly Landscapes.
NASA Curiosity Status Report: Sols 3062-3063: Adjusting the Lighting on 'Mont Mercou'.
SpaceCom: The United Arab Emirates' Hope mission to Mars in photos.
New Scientist: NASA’s InSight lander has measured the size of Mars’s molten core.
NASA: New Study Challenges Long-Held Theory of Fate of Mars' Water.
Many Worlds: What Happened to All That Water on Ancient Mars? A New Theory With a Surprising Answer.
Eurek Alert: Is there life on Mars today and where?

Jupiter: 
NASA Juno: Evolution of a Dawn Storm in Jupiter’s Polar Auroras.
The Making Of JUICE: Placement of the Magnetometer Boom (Time Lapse) (filmpje).
The Making Of JUICE: JUICE Magnetometer Boom placement (clip by Airbus) (filmpje).

Lucy: 
NASA: NASA's Lucy Spacecraft Gets a Lift.

Centaurs:
Astronomy: Mission to the Centaurs: Exploring strange astroid-comet hybrids.

Lagrange:
ECNS: Chang'e 5 orbiter enters 1st Lagrange Point of Sun-Earth system.
Space News: Chang’e-5 orbiter reaches Lagrange point on extended mission.

NASA – President Biden stelt nieuwe NASA Administrator aan.
NASA: NASA Statement on Nomination of Bill Nelson for Agency Administrator.

Space News: Nelson expected to be nominated for NASA administrator.
Space News: Widespread support for Nelson nomination to lead NASA.
SpaceCom: NASA likely to stay the course to the moon under Bill Nelson, if confirmed.

SpaceCom: President Biden nominates Bill Nelson to serve as NASA chief.
PhysOrg: Biden picks former senator who flew in space to lead NASA.

Politico: Does Joe Biden take space seriously?

En hoe zat het met de verwachtingen in de nieuwe president.
Space News: Biden’s Defense nominee embraces view of space as a domain of war.
Military Times: Biden seen likely to keep Space Force, a Trump favorite.
Space Policy Online: Space Force has “full support” of Biden White House.

Space News: Space industry executive calls on Biden to keep the National Space Council.
NASA Watch: Big Aerospace Wants Biden To Keep Trump Space Policy Apparatus In Place (Update).
Collect Space: A moon rock in the Oval Office: President Joe Biden's lunar display.

Na het vertrek van Bridenstine was er Steve Jurczyk in afwachting van de nieuwe Administrator.
Via Satellite: Steve Jurczyk Named Acting NASA Administrator Following Bridenstine’s Exit.
Space Ref: Message from NASA Acting Administrator Steve Jurczyk and Senior White House Appointee Bhavya Lal.

Afgelopen januari, de laatste dagen van Bridenstine.
NASA: NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine: A Look Back (filmpje).
NASA Watch: Exit Interview With Jim Bridenstine.
Space News: Bridenstine, departing NASA, hopes Artemis continues.
Space News: Bridenstine joins private equity firm.

Glynn Lunney – Flight Director tijdens Apollo 11 – overleden.
NASA: NASA Remembers Legendary Flight Director Glynn Lunney (filmpje).
Collect Space: Glynn Lunney, flight director who led from 'trench' to the moon, dies.
Universe Today: Remembering NASA Flight Director Glynn Lunney, 1936-2021.

Om af te ronden: Poppen en ruimtevaart.
Collect Space: Russia's only woman cosmonaut inspires one-of-a-kind Barbie doll.
ESA: How do you become an astronaut? Just ask Playmobil’s ROBert…

Veel lees- en kijkplezier,

Koen