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
After 2025 Collision, Air Controllers at Reagan Get New Tools
Following the 2025 fatal crash at Reagan National Airport, the FAA accelerated deployment of the digital Terminal Flight Data Manager (TFDM) system, co‑developed by Leidos. TFDM replaces paper flight strips with electronic ones, adding a real‑time overhead map, touch‑based interaction and automated sequencing to reduce controller workload. The technology promises to cut gate‑and‑taxi delays, lower emissions and improve safety in the nation’s most congested airspace. The FAA now targets 89 airports for TFDM rollout by 2028, with a dozen slated this year.
Defense Watch: GMTI, New SASC Member, CH-47F Award, Big sUAS Order
The U.S. Space Force is targeting a 2028 launch for its space‑based ground moving target indication (GMTI) radar satellites, despite Congress cutting the FY‑2026 R&D request from $1 billion to $719 million and reallocating funds. The Army awarded Boeing a $326 million contract...
Argentina's Feeling Air Adds First PC-12 PRO
Argentina’s regional carrier Feeling Air has taken delivery of its first Pilatus PC‑12 PRO, a 2025‑built turboprop registered in the United States as N339PR. The eight‑seat aircraft flew from Pilatus’ Denver completion facility on March 15, making multiple stops across the...
30,000 New Drones: Pentagon Names Winners Of Air Dominance 'Gauntlet'
The Pentagon announced the winners of its Gauntlet I uncrewed exercise, selecting Skycutter, Neros and Nepatree to supply 30,000 one‑way attack drones. The two‑week competition at Fort Benning tested 25 companies, with drones required to hit targets up to 6.2 miles after...
DND’s $51.7 Billion Plan for 2026-27 Includes a New Space Rocketry Challenge
Canada’s Department of National Defence unveiled a $51.7 billion CAD (≈$37.7 billion USD) 2026‑27 plan that earmarks new resources for space defence. The plan includes a $25 million CAD (≈$18 million USD) Space Rocketry Challenge for 2026‑27, rising to $50 million CAD (≈$36 million USD) annually,...
Commercial Space Federation (CSF) Welcomes Two New Associate Members
The Commercial Space Federation (CSF) announced the addition of Astrolab and Zeno Power as associate members. Astrolab builds multi‑purpose rovers for lunar and Martian surface operations, while Zeno Power develops radioisotope batteries for extreme‑environment power. Both companies aim to strengthen...
Combat Drones Are Pivoting Into Green Hydrogen Fuel Cells
Combat drones and emerging ground robots are increasingly being powered by green hydrogen fuel cells, a shift driven by Ukraine’s rapid adoption and U.S. defense interest. Startups such as Sesame Solar have created mobile nanogrid refueling stations that can be...
ESA to Decide by June on Europe’s Gateway Contributions
NASA has halted work on the lunar Gateway, forcing the European Space Agency to rethink its Artemis contributions. ESA’s portfolio includes the European Service Module, the I‑Hab habitation module, the Lunar View refueling unit and the Lunar Link communications system,...
Quadruped Robots Have Potential as Astronaut Surface Assistants, New Research Finds
Researchers at Oregon State University and NASA tested a battery‑powered quadruped robot in White Sands’ Mars‑like dunes, showing it can collaborate with astronaut scientists to collect soil data. The robot’s leg motors generate current that doubles as a terrain sensor,...
NASA Names Scientists to Support Lunar South Pole Science
NASA has appointed ten scientists to the Artemis lunar surface science team, tasking them with shaping the mission’s scientific agenda at the Moon’s South Pole. The group will work alongside the existing geology team led by Noah Petro and Padi...
Ontario International Airport Reports Better than 6% Passenger Gain in February
Ontario International Airport reported a 6.3% year‑over‑year increase in February passenger traffic, handling 478,625 travelers, with domestic traffic modestly up 2.1% and international traffic jumping 55.1% to 55,531 passengers. Year‑to‑date figures show a 5% rise to over 971,000 passengers, driven...
CLT Taps Perry As COO
The City of Charlotte has appointed Jeffrey Perry as chief operating officer of Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT). Perry previously served as COO of the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority and held several senior roles, including airport operations director for Charlotte....
Europe’s Space Agencies Prepare For A Brave New NASA
During NASA’s high‑profile Ignition conference in Washington, European space agencies convened at the Munich Space Summit to gauge the implications of the U.S. agency’s new lunar‑Mars roadmap. While the summit’s main sessions barely mentioned NASA’s plans, breakout discussions revealed a...
NextSTEP-3 E: Network Extension for User Continuity and Sustainability (NEXUS) Ka-Band Backward-Compatible Relay Broad
NASA announced a new Broad Agency Announcement under the NextSTEP‑3 program to fund Project NEXUS, a Ka‑band backward‑compatible relay system. The initiative aims to replace the aging Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) network with an end‑to‑end service lasting at...
The FCC Must Choose: Enforce the Rules or Preserve LEO Competition
The FCC faces a pivotal choice between enforcing its LEO deployment milestones and preserving competition in low‑Earth‑orbit broadband. Amazon has asked for a two‑year extension to meet its 1,618‑satellite Leo deadline, citing launch bottlenecks despite a $10 billion investment and a...
War Department Conducts Classified Suborbital Missile Test From Cape Canaveral
On March 26, the U.S. War Department launched an unidentified suborbital missile from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, with no public details on the vehicle or its mission. The launch occurred around 12:30 p.m., leaving a thin white contrail over the...
LaGuardia Runway Reopens After Fatal Air Canada Jet‑fire‑truck Collision
New York’s LaGuardia Airport reopened its main runway on March 27 after a three‑day shutdown following a deadly runway incursion that killed two Air Canada pilots and injured dozens. Investigators say a combination of staffing shortages, a fire‑truck clearance and...
Scientists Intrigued by “Negative Mass Anomaly” Under Surface of Mars
NASA’s InSight lander data confirms that Mars’ day is shortening by fractions of a millisecond each year, indicating the planet is spinning faster. Researchers from Delft University of Technology propose a “negative mass anomaly” – a buoyant plume of hot...
Syntiant and Novi Space Successfully Demonstrate Low-Power AI Inference in Orbit
On March 26, 2026, Syntiant Corp. and Novi Space completed a successful in‑orbit demonstration of real‑time AI object detection on a commercial LEO satellite. Using Syntiant’s quantized neural network models deployed on Novi’s SP240 space‑edge computer, the system identified ground...
VR‑controlled Robot Swarms Expose Military AI Governance Gap
Drones disrupted modern warfare. Now, a vision of a single operator with a VR helmet directing a swarm of robots ready for combat. This isn’t an episode of Black Mirror. It’s the near-future. Tech is outpacing doctrine, law, and ethics. That gap is where...
Starlink's India Commercial Launch Imminent, Defense Potential Discussed
I was told by several people at the SatShow this week that Starlink's commercial launch in India is imminent (next few weeks). I wonder about defense applications too
U.S. Navy Finalizes Requirements for T-45 Replacement Trainer
The U.S. Navy issued its final request for proposals on March 26 for a next‑generation Undergraduate Jet Training System to replace the aging T‑45 Goshawk fleet. The service set an aggressive acquisition timeline and a firm cost target while dropping the...
UN Aviation Limits Passengers to Two Power Banks
UN aviation agency limits use of power banks to two per passenger on flights https://t.co/NOamABM2mX
Compact Foldable Helicopter Storable in Car Trunk
Foldable Helicopter That Fits in Your Car Trunk by @tweetciiiim #EmergingTech #TechForGood #Innovation #Technology #Tech https://t.co/h80oHBCqCn
Northrop Grumman Receives $127m Contract for GQM-163A Coyote SSST
Northrop Grumman secured a firm‑fixed‑price contract worth $127.3 million to produce Lot 18 of the GQM‑163A Coyote Supersonic Sea‑skimming Targets (SSST). The award covers 28 target vehicles and associated support for the U.S. Navy and allied forces in Japan and South Korea,...
Plesetsk Launch Planned Early April to 63° Inclination
Local warnings and at least one NOTAM indicate an upcoming launch from Plesetsk between April 1 and 15 to an orbit with an inclination 63 degrees toward the Equator: https://t.co/EhSC0xsQVM https://t.co/E7nBV3xpBV
Boom Engine Stands Out Amid Claims of Uniqueness
Boom engine review today. Surprised how often I hear “we just did something no one has done before.” Remarkable engine, designed in a remarkable fashion. https://t.co/0cVuJ4YIFk
China Is Challenging US Spaceflight Supremacy
China is rapidly advancing its human‑spaceflight program, aiming for a crewed lunar flyby by 2030 and a permanent research station by 2035. The nation’s Tiangong space station, the new Mengzhou spacecraft, and the 90‑metre Long March‑10 rocket provide a predictable, state‑backed...
Eurofighter Typhoon Handles 80% of Combat Missions
"Eurofighter Typhoon continues to play a central role. Between 2024 and 2025, around 80% of combat-aircraft missions conducted by operator countries were flown by these aircraft." https://t.co/HctQ8eSjo4 https://t.co/dkdRxPXYSU
U.S. Admits only a Third of Iran's Missiles Destroyed
"They are out of missiles" U.S. confirms only one-third of Iran missile arsenal destroyed as war continues
Lone Star Completes Acquisition of Alliance Ground International
Lone Star Funds has completed its acquisition of Alliance Ground International (AGI), a Miami‑based airport services provider operating at more than 60 North American airports. The deal, announced after a definitive agreement in January, brings AGI’s 12,000‑strong workforce under Lone...
Oman Leases Astranis Satellite to Avoid Costly Del
'It's extremely expensive to wait,' Oman's #MBGroup says, explaining its lease of @Astranis satellite, to launch this year. Omani government meanwhile struggles to retain rights to its GEO slot. @ITUradiocomms @AirbusSpace.https://t.co/PAHVXkavCl https://t.co/v1KIYhPa33
TacAir’s Upgraded F‑5ATs Simulate Enemy
On this episode of TWZ: Special Access, Jamie Hunter visited TacAir to learn about their heavily upgraded F-5AT fighters and how they replicate enemy aircraft to keep U.S. fighter aircrews sharp. https://t.co/17p9XTnS5L
World Star Leases Boeing 737-400SF to Sky One
World Star Aviation has delivered a leased Boeing 737‑400SF to UAE‑based cargo carrier Sky One, marking the third such aircraft in their partnership. The converted freighter offers a 20‑ton payload and a 3,700 km range, suited for short‑ and medium‑haul routes. Sky...
This Week's Space Highlights:
In this week's Rocket Report: • Artemis II on track for launch next week • Russia reopens gateway to ISS • Space Force could move more payloads off Vulcan • Russia's Starlink takes flight • Isar scrubs launch attempt https://t.co/QKQhAwmre4
Artemis II Crew Arrives at KSC for Media Q&A
Artemis II crew is enroute to KSC. Expected to land abt 2:30 pm ET. NASA's Jared Isaacman and CSA's Lisa Campbell will be there to greet them. Crew then will answer questions from the media. Full list of public...
Sentinel Program Advances with Silo Prototype
The U.S. Air Force, Northrop Grumman and Bechtel have broken ground on a prototype launch silo for the LGM-35A Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile in Promontory, Utah. The silo will test a modular, repeatable construction method intended to accelerate deployment, curb...
Shiyan‑33’s Low Orbit Raises Questions on CZ‑2C Capacity
Shiyan-33 tracked in a 485 x 505 km x 97.5 deg, 1030 LTDN SSO. With the CZ-2C/YZ-1S launch vehicle and such a low orbit, this must be a fairly massive satellite - anyone know the capacity of CZ-2C/YZ-1S to this orbit?
AA Flight Attendants Warn of Imminent Bankruptcy
American Airlines Flight Attendants Fear Bankruptcy — Internal Union Minutes Call Finances "Dire" - View from the Wing https://t.co/lYnlSFQBYa
RUAG International Sets Strategic Course for Space-Focused Future Amid Short-Term Earnings Impact
RUAG International’s 2025 fiscal year saw net sales dip to CHF 412 million (~$521 million) while earnings before interest and taxes fell to a loss of CHF 114 million (~$145 million) due to high engineering costs in its Launchers division and one‑off transformation expenses. The company...
Iran's Missiles Can't Disrupt or Deter US‑Israeli Attacks
I suppose it depends on what purpose you believe Iran's ballistic missiles must serve. It does not appear that Iran's missiles are capable of either disrupting ongoing Israeli and US air campaign nor deterring further Israeli and US attack.
Critics Slam NASA's Controversial Commercial Space Station Plan
No one, it seems, is happy with NASA's new idea for commercial space stations. https://t.co/SVhXpYQAnK
Lockheed Martin to Explore Coexpair’s Solutions to Improve F-35 Manufacturing
Lockheed Martin and Belgian composite specialist Coexpair have signed an MOU to explore manufacturing advanced composite parts for the F‑35 fighter. Coexpair will use its SQRTM 4.0 automated resin transfer molding platform and Maestro AI‑driven software to design and test representative...
AST SpaceMobile Seeks to Double Satellite Fleet Beyond 243
"AST SpaceMobile, is seeking permission to more than double its satellite fleet size. Currently it has authorisation to orbit 243 satellites." via Advanced Television https://t.co/opYjPXyR2l
AI-Powered Archive Boosts Global Threat Monitoring
Just wrapped an incredible @planet On the Road in DC! Great to see our partner countries and companies. We are committed to helping Global security. Our archive, now nine years strong, along with AI enables countries to monitor large areas...
BAE Systems Names 12 Suppliers in Annual Awards
BAE Systems held its ninth annual Partner 2 Win Supplier of the Year ceremony in Boston, honoring twelve suppliers for outstanding 2025 performance. The awards recognize on‑time delivery, high quality, and collaborative technology development across aerospace, defense, and security. Winners include precision‑machined...
Vertical Aerospace Selects Isoclima for Valo Transparencies
Vertical Aerospace announced a strategic partnership with Italy’s Isoclima S.p.A. to design and manufacture the complete transparency suite for its upcoming Valo eVTOL, including pilot and passenger canopies and glazing systems. The agreement secures long‑term supply stability and technical continuity...
CNES Publishes Call for Drone Swarm to Monitor Launch Operations
CNES has launched a call for proposals to create an autonomous drone swarm that will monitor perimeter security and support launch‑operation activities at the Guiana Space Centre. The initiative is funded under the Flexible, Digital and Sustainable (FDS) programme, a...
Qatar Airways Dominates Aircraft Storage Surge at Teruel Airport
Qatar Airways has parked a fleet of 22 aircraft at Spain’s Teruel Airport between March 18 and 24, marking a sharp surge in storage activity. The influx follows the escalation of the Iran‑Gulf conflict, which prompted widespread airspace closures and...
Protecting Aircraft and Ground Assets at High-Traffic UK Airports
UK airports are increasingly adopting smart security technologies to protect aircraft, workers, passengers, and cargo amid rising traffic volumes. Biometric ID cards, mobile access apps, and connected cameras enable real‑time credential updates and granular tracking of staff across airside and...