Today's Aerospace Pulse
Blue Origin’s New Glenn suffers catastrophic engine failure during static fire
A BE‑4 methane/LOX engine on Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket failed four seconds after ignition, causing a catastrophic explosion that destroyed the first‑stage booster and damaged Launch Complex 36A. No personnel were injured. An FAA‑led investigation, supported by the U.S. Space Force, is under way.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Disciplined Growth Acquisition Corp raises $150M in IPO
U.S. Navy Launches Affordable FLASH Hypersonic Weapon Program
The Office of Naval Research (ONR) released a solicitation on April 10, 2026 for the FLASH (Flight Advancement of Structures for Hypersonics) program, targeting a surface‑launched hypersonic strike weapon that fits the Navy’s Vertical Launch System and Virginia Payload Module. Proposals are due by August 17, 2026, with contract awards expected by January 29, 2027. FLASH emphasizes low‑cost, conventional materials and commercial‑off‑the‑shelf guidance, navigation and control components to reduce development risk. The effort will fund multiple contracts across four critical technology areas, advancing a tactically relevant, affordable hypersonic capability.
Pentagon Upgrades Its Hypersonic Weapon Test Range
The Pentagon awarded Radiance Technologies a minimum $149.6 million cost‑plus‑fixed‑fee contract to modernize the Reagan Test Range in the Marshall Islands. The five‑year, sole‑source deal runs through April 10, 2031 and covers upgrades to radars, optical sensors, telemetry and data‑collection infrastructure. The range’s...
Tata Group Chair Tells Workers Air India Faces Challenging Time
Tata Sons chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran warned Air India employees that the airline is in a "challenging time" as it grapples with record losses, the departure of CEO Campbell Wilson, and costly integration after merging with Vistara. Integration expenses and persistent...
Zelensky Pushes for THAAD in Ukraine: Why Kyiv Wants High-Altitude Defense Despite Patriot Systems
Ukraine has just received a new batch of Patriot air‑defence systems, but the flow of interceptors remains far below the war’s demand. President Volodymyr Zelensky has simultaneously intensified his appeal for the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system,...
Lufthansa Now Charges Massive Cancellation & Refund Fees, Even In “Flex Fares”
Lufthansa announced on April 7, 2026 that it will levy cancellation and refund fees of up to €2,000 (≈$2,180) on selected routes, even for its premium “Flex” fares. The new schedule targets flights to Asia‑Pacific (excluding China, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and Australia),...
Artemis II Splashdown Gives NASA Momentum in Renewed Moon Race
NASA’s Artemis II mission splashed down safely in the Pacific on April 11, 2026, concluding the first crewed deep‑space flight since 1972. The four‑person crew—three Americans and a Canadian—completed a lunar‑orbit trajectory that demonstrated the Space Launch System’s performance and re‑entry capabilities....
The Artemis II Mission Has Ended. Where Does NASA Go From Here?
NASA’s Artemis II mission successfully completed a 700,000‑mile lunar flyby and splash‑down, marking humanity’s first deep‑space crewed flight in over 50 years. The Space Launch System delivered a near‑perfect orbit insertion, while Orion returned safely, providing valuable data on heat‑shield performance and...
Colorado Aerospace Powers Artemis’s Record‑Fast Reentry
An incredible moment for American innovation and exploration. As NASA’s Artemis mission returns to Earth, astronauts are reentering our atmosphere at speeds nearing 25,000 mph — among the fastest speeds ever traveled by humans. Colorado is proud to play a role in...
Analysts Weigh $2 Trillion SpaceX IPO, Eyeing a New Mega‑cap Theme
Motley Fool Money contributors Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman and Dan Caplinger examined a possible $2 trillion initial public offering for SpaceX, arguing it could birth a new large‑cap investment theme and reshape sector allocation for growth‑stock investors.
Artemis Returns Safely, Celebrating Humanity’s Space Triumph
Artemis home, safe in the sea, Millions watched, one HUM-AN-ITY. From questions asked to answers flown, Science made the unknown… known. To every hand that shaped the way, Thank you for bringing her home today 🌙 Goodnight, everyone ✌️
Zelensky's Interceptor Drones Deployed Across Eurasia, Now Shooting Down Iranian Shaheds
President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukrainian drone specialists have helped five Gulf states build low‑cost interceptor‑drone air defenses and have already shot down Iranian Shahed UAVs in the region. The $20,000 interceptor drones provide a cheap counter to Shahed drones...
The Artemis II Crew Is Home
NASA’s Orion capsule, dubbed Integrity, safely splashed down in the Pacific on Friday, bringing home four astronauts after the first crewed lunar flyby in 54 years. The re‑entry generated plasma temperatures of roughly 5,000 °F, causing a six‑minute communications blackout before...
Astronauts Blend Awe, Tech Glitches, and Bathroom Jokes
Top 3 quotes from Artemis II mission: ▫️ “In all of this emptiness — this whole bunch of nothing we call the universe — you have this oasis [of earth], this beautiful place that we get to exist in together."...
NASA’s Artemis II Mission Was a Historic Success
NASA’s Artemis II mission returned safely on 10 April after a historic crewed flyby of the Moon, the first human trip beyond low Earth orbit since Apollo 17 in 1972. The Orion capsule traveled to a record‑breaking 406,771 km from Earth, surpassing Apollo 13’s distance...
How Recovery Personnel Will Secure Artemis II Capsule at Sea After Splashdown
NASA’s Artemis II Orion capsule splashed down in the Pacific off San Diego, leaving four astronauts afloat in a vessel that survived re‑entry temperatures near 5,000 °F. Five airbags on the capsule’s top automatically inflated, righting the spacecraft and stabilizing it against waves...
Artemis Crew Safely Splashes Down Off California Coast
NASA confirmed that the Artemis II crew safely re‑entered Earth’s atmosphere and splashed down in the Pacific off Southern California. The four‑person team—NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen—completed a 10‑day lunar flyby, the first...
Elon Musk's Next Big Bet: Inside the Rise of SpaceX
Fox Business aired a panel titled “Elon Musk's next big bet: Inside the rise of SpaceX,” where analysts examined the company’s rapid growth and its pivotal role in NASA’s Artemis II mission. The discussion highlighted SpaceX’s Starship development, expanding Starlink broadband...
One of Us Can’t Wait for Artemis II’s Return
One of us is more excited than the other to watch the Artemis II crew return to Earth…
Over the Moon After Seven Hours of Stunning Recovery Images
So many amazing images at recovery. What is your fav? I'm quite figuratively "over the moon" having watched everything unfold over the past 7 hours.
NASA Artemis II Splashes Down in Pacific Ocean in ‘Perfect’ Landing for Moon Mission
NASA’s Artemis II mission successfully returned the four‑person crew to Earth after a ten‑day lunar flyby. The Orion capsule, named Integrity, splashed down in the Pacific off San Diego at 5:07 p.m. PT, with all astronauts in good health. The flight marked the first...
Artemis II’s 3D Flight Path to the Moon
Artemis II mission route in 3D! https://t.co/MwqPxMYofs #artemis #ArtemisII #moonmission #moon #journeytomoon #space #SpaceLovers @lexfridman @KirkDBorne @Ronald_vanLoon @erikbryn @antgrasso @sallyeaves @Nicochan33 @HaroldSinnott @mvollmer1 @marcusborba @CatherineAdenle @vinod1975 @YuHelenYu @ingliguori @fogoros @ylecun @TerenceLeungSF @SourabhSKatoch @wil_bielert @HsrYueli @faustospain @Whats_AI @kaifulee @demishassabis @marek_rosa @AndrewYNg @BernardMarr...
Starlink Group 17‑21 Launches From Vandenberg at 0504 UTC
LAUNCH at 0504 UTC Apr 11 of Starlink Group 17-21 from Vandenberg Space Force Base
Back to Earth: What Happens to the Artemis II Astronauts Now?
The Artemis II crew safely splashed down off California after re‑entering at 25,000 mph, completing the first crewed flight to travel farther than any human before – roughly 4,000 miles beyond Apollo 13’s record. Upon landing, the astronauts were examined on a U.S. warship,...
U.S. Loses 24 Reaper Drones, $720 Million Hit
The U.S. has lost 24 MQ-9 Reaper drones during the Iran war. "The drones represent a loss of about $720 million." - CBS
Artemis II Nails Precision: Distance, Speed, Reentry on Target
Artemis II return stats, per flight director Rick Henfling (via FDO): • Distance traveled: 700,237 miles • Top speed: 24,664 mph • Reentry angle: Within 0.4% of target • Entry distance: 1,957 miles • Landing location: Within 1 mile of target
Orion Survives Re-Entry, Crew Splashes Down Safe
Orion’s Orion capsule survived a high‑energy re‑entry and splashed down off California, with all four astronauts remaining inside the capsule as recovery crews arrived. The Artemis‑2 mission, a three‑day lunar fly‑by, is now complete, though analysis of the heat‑shield performance...
Artemis 2 Astronauts Arrive on Recovery Ship for Medical Checks
The helicopters carrying the four Artemis 2 astronauts have landed on the deck of the recovery ship, USS John P. Murtha. They'll now head to the ship's medical bay for post-flight checks.
Only One Artemis II CubeSat Achieved Orbit Boost, Others Failed
Three of the four Artemis II cubesats were meant to fire propulsion systems to raise perigee and stay in orbit. Only one (Saudi Arabia's SWC-1) managed to do so; TACHELES and K-RadCube reentered at first perigee.
Six U.S. Hubs Suffer Hundreds of Delays as Weather, Holiday Demand Drive $30 B Cost Crisis
In early April 2026, Atlanta, Chicago O’Hare, Dallas‑Fort Worth, LaGuardia, Los Angeles International and Denver each logged several hundred flight delays, with Chicago alone reporting more than 260 on a single day. Analysts say the cascade of disruptions translates into...
Earth: A Fragile Crescent Home for 8 Billion
We all live on this dot, more than 8 billion of us. @NASA: Seen from afar, Earth appears as a small, delicate waning crescent suspended in the darkness of space, captured by the crew during the Artemis II mission (April 6,...
Going Crazy? I'd
If I ever lose my marbles, I’m hotwiring XB-1 and going out with a boom. https://t.co/w3DTUTYehg
‘It’s 13 Minutes of Things that Have to Go Right’: Artemis II Splashes Down Despite Faulty Heat Shield
NASA’s Artemis II mission returned safely to the Pacific after a historic 10‑day lunar flyby, despite a known flaw in the Orion heat shield. Engineers discovered the shield’s internal layers could trap gas during reentry, risking chunk loss. To mitigate, NASA...
Astronaut Captures Breathtaking Earth View From Soyuz Reentry
NASA astronaut Mike Hopkins pointed a camera out of the window of the Soyuz reentry capsule, and this is what he saw from the window seat returning to Earth from space https://t.co/e5dI5EiJHI
Artemis 2 Crew Exits Orion, Board Helicopters to Recovery Ship
The Artemis 2 astronauts are starting to exit Orion. They'll be hoisted onto helicopters for a short flight to the recovery ship.
AeroVironment Appoints Raytheon Veteran Robert Smith as COO to Accelerate Manufacturing Scale
AeroVironment, the NASDAQ‑listed defense‑technology firm, named Dr. Robert (Rob) Smith as executive vice president and chief operating officer effective April 13, 2026. The former Raytheon executive will oversee the company’s autonomous systems, space, cyber and directed‑energy units, and its global...
NASA Celebrates Flawless, Triumphant Mission Success
Warmest congratulations to the entire @NASA family for an outstandingly successful and perfectly executed mission.
Capsule Lands Right-Side-Up: Stable One Confirmed
Glad to see the capsule is "Stable One". (There are two stable positions for a capsule after splashdown. "Stable Two" is NASA speak for "upside down".)
Chang'e Mission Samples Reveal How Exogenous Organic Matter Evolves on the Moon
China’s Chang’e‑5 and Chang’e‑6 lunar sample returns have, for the first time, revealed nitrogen‑bearing organic compounds embedded in moon soil grains. The study shows these organics exist as particles, surface‑adhered films, and mineral inclusions, and bear isotopic signatures that point...
Outlook PM Celebrates Artemis II Crew's Safe Earth Return
the PM for Microsoft Outlook seeing that Artemis II crew succesfully made it back to earth https://t.co/E3JEawI3Dh
Orion Splashdown Thrills Team, Including Proud Daughter
Beautiful reentry and splash down. (My daughter worked on Orion. She’s very excited right now, as is everyone who contributed to our initial return to the moon)
Astronaut Spots Shrinking Moon, Mission Control Jokes About Comeback
"We got a great view of the moon out window 2, looks a little smaller than yesterday" Wiseman told mission control minutes before the crew plunged into Earth's atmosphere. "Guess we'll have to go back," mission control replied. https://t.co/8KNPaFFiFv
Artemis Era Launches: A Global Celebration for NASA
Epic day for NASA and everyone around the world who contributed to this. The Artemis era has truly begun.
Celebrating Integrity's Return and Apollo 13 Free‑Return Anniversary
🎯 Welcome Back Integrity, with a bullseye splash down just now And tomorrow is the 66-year anniversary of the Apollo 13 launch, the last time a mission brought the astronauts back with a free-return trajectory, slingshotting around the moon. https://t.co/TWKKMtnxDF
Watch Artemis Mission Landing Live Right Now
MyPOV - Very cool. Tune into the live stream now for the #Artemis mission landing https://t.co/CulPUWM1bl
World Holds Breath for Artemis II’s Safe Return
Artemis II is on the way home. The part where everything has to go right. Where the whole world quietly holds its breath. Hoping. Watching. Waiting. Bring them home. 🚀🇺🇸🇨🇦
Turning Hard Engineering Into Fun Innovation
Our motto at Boom is: This is Hard. This is Fun. Supersonic jets and power turbines are the hard. This is the fun part. https://t.co/2koyg7SwDW
Command Module Executes 3 M/S Raise
Integrity CM 3m/s raise burn using the small thrusters on the command module to ensure good distance from the abandoned service module
Orion Returns Home After Crew Module Separation
Orion is coming home. Good crew module sep. Godspeed the crew of Artemis II. https://t.co/aYgG56dcMb
Orion Crew Capsule Set to Separate in Under 30 Minutes
Less than 30 minutes until the Orion crew capsule separates from the service module. https://t.co/o9Fz1gSC3R
Iran Retains Thousands of Hidden Ballistic Missiles, U.S. Says
Four-byline alert: 🚨 (WSJ) - Iran still has thousands of ballistic missiles in its arsenal that it could use by retrieving launchers from underground storage areas, according to American officials familiar with U.S. intelligence assessments. @WSJ https://t.co/WvyahIWNAP https://t.co/psRi64ZIu2