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
HAECO and ANA Extend Line Maintenance Partnership Through 2030
HAECO has extended its line‑maintenance partnership with All Nippon Airways through 2030, covering technical and non‑technical support for ANA’s Boeing 787, 767 and 777 freighter fleet based in Hong Kong. The deal reinforces more than two decades of collaboration, adding cabin‑service support that underpins ANA’s reputation for comfort, safety and reliability. HAECO highlighted the extension as a testament to mutual trust and its commitment to innovative, high‑quality MRO solutions. ANA credited HAECO’s services for sustaining its SKYTRAX 5‑Star rating since 2013.
The First Artemis Lunar Landings Might Not Go to the Moon’s South Pole
NASA is reconsidering the south‑pole for Artemis’s first crewed landing, exploring alternative sites to reduce risk and accelerate timelines. Associate Administrator Amit Kshatriya said performance specs are being opened to allow different lunar orbits and constraints. Administrator Jared Isaacman pushes...
ISPTech Raises €5.5M Seed Round to Redefine How Spacecraft Manoeuvre in Orbit
ISPTech, a German spin‑off from the DLR, announced a €5.5 million seed round led by Join Capital and backed by several European venture funds. The capital will fund expanded manufacturing, critical‑infrastructure testing, and the commercial rollout of its non‑toxic propulsion suites,...
Opening of the Airhart Design & Engineering Center
Airhart announced the opening of its new Design & Engineering Center in Long Beach, featuring a tour of its hangar, flight simulator, and intelligent cockpit architecture. The event will host aviation legend Linda Sollars, who will discuss the FAA’s MOSAIC...
The Rise of the Orbital Data Center: Solving the Space Data Bottleneck
On March 16, 2026 Kepler Communications launched the first commercially operational Orbital Cloud, turning its satellite constellation into an in‑orbit data center. By embedding NVIDIA‑powered edge GPUs and optical inter‑satellite links, the Orbital Data Center (ODC) can run AI models...
Saudi Arabia Takes Indian Startup’s Help for Satellite Images
Saudi Arabia has partnered with Bengaluru‑based space startup Pixxel to embed its hyperspectral satellite data into the national UP42 geospatial platform. Pixxel’s Firefly constellation of 18 satellites captures imagery across more than 135 spectral bands, enabling detailed surface analysis. The...
Tri-Cities Airport Celebrates Arrival of New Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Vehicle
Tri-Cities Airport in Pasco, Washington, unveiled a third‑generation Oshkosh Striker Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicle in a ceremonial push‑in event. The $1.1 million unit replaces the 2009 frontline truck and carries 1,500 gallons of water, 210 gallons of fluorine‑free F3 foam,...
Indy Airport’s New Dublin Flight Marks Lucky First Year
Aer Lingus celebrated one year of nonstop service between Indianapolis and Dublin, a route launched in May 2025 that has quickly become popular with both leisure and business travelers. In its first year the airline operated over 300 flights and...
SpaceX Completes Two Launches Since Yesterday
SpaceX completed two Starlink missions within 24 hours, launching 25 satellites from Vandenberg and 29 from Cape Canaveral. Both Falcon 9 first stages were recovered, marking the 14th and 11th flights of the boosters after turn‑arounds of 32 and 27 days....
Beyond Aero Concludes Hydrogen Aircraft Design Review
Beyond Aero announced the completion of the Preliminary Design Review for its hydrogen‑electric business jet, moving the program into detailed engineering and validation planning. The review confirmed successful integration of gaseous hydrogen storage, fuel‑cell electric propulsion, and thermal‑management systems within...
South Korean Rocket Startup Innospace Pinpoints the Cause of Its First Launch Failure
South Korean rocket startup Innospace released its investigation into the Hanbit‑Nano maiden‑flight failure on December 22, 2025. The probe identified a rupture in the first‑stage combustion‑chamber assembly 33 seconds after liftoff, caused by a leakage from improperly sealed components. The leakage stemmed...
Solving Asteroid Bennu’s Mysteries
NASA released X‑ray computed tomography scans of asteroid Bennu samples on March 17, 2026, revealing intricate crack networks inside the material. The scans show that Bennu’s boulders are highly porous, a property that accounts for the low thermal inertia measured...
Unilode and SATCO Boost Partnership with New LAX MRO Facility and Net Supply Deal
Unilode Aviation Solutions and cargo‑equipment maker SATCO have launched a joint MRO facility at Los Angeles International Airport, providing on‑site ULD maintenance and repair. The partnership also includes a long‑term agreement for Unilode to source SATCO’s fire‑resistant cargo nets, bolstering...
How Congress Can Grow the Space Supply Chain
Demand for satellite constellations, lunar missions and private launches is surging, but the space supply chain lags behind, creating costly delays. The Aerospace Industries Association and PwC released a report outlining gaps and policy fixes, including a two‑way demand‑signaling system...
Top Aces Wins $33.2m Contract for Argentina F-16 Pilot Training
Top Aces’ U.S. subsidiary won a $33.2 million contract to train Argentine Air Force pilots on the newly acquired F‑16 fleet. The two‑year program, managed by the U.S. Air Force Security Assistance Training Squadron, includes classroom instruction, simulator work and live‑fly...
UK Open Skies Network to Create UK’s First Droneport, AAM Test-Flight Hub
Open Skies Network has partnered with ASONE Park to build the United Kingdom’s first DronePort at St Merryn Aerodrome in north Cornwall. The aviation campus will host eVTOL, eSTOL and BVLOS drone operations, creating a multi‑use environment where traditional and emerging aircraft...
Press Release: National Airlines Selects Viasat IFC for A330s
Viasat Inc. announced that its in‑flight connectivity solution has been selected for National Airlines’ three new Airbus A330 aircraft. The airline equipped the jets with Viasat’s GM‑40 Ka‑band terminal, delivering high‑capacity Wi‑Fi capable of HD video streaming and AI‑driven applications...
March 17, 1958: Vanguard 1 Blasts Off
On March 17, 1958 the United States launched Vanguard 1, its second satellite and the world’s first solar‑powered spacecraft. The 3‑pound metal sphere, only 6.5 inches across, entered a high‑altitude orbit that has kept it aloft for more than six decades, making...
Real-Time Operational Alignment and Predictive Optimisation Unlock Airport Capacity
Airports are increasingly constrained by fragmented decision‑making rather than runway or gate capacity. SITA’s Total Airport Management platform connects data, teams, and partners in real time, applying predictive analytics to optimise operations and pre‑empt disruptions. Early adopters such as Abu...
Doncaster Airport Celebrates ‘Key Milestone’ in Reopening Process
Doncaster Sheffield Airport has reached a key milestone in its reopening plan as the UK Civil Aviation Authority published the initial findings of its Airspace Change Proposal, moving the process to public consultation. The airport’s preferred “Option 3” reduces the volume...
Inside JAL123: How Routine Turned Tragedy
Revisiting one of the most haunting aviation stories I’ve ever covered: Japan Airlines Flight 123 — the deadliest single-aircraft crash in history. Part 1 of my series with Lars Perkins explores how a routine flight became an unimaginable tragedy — and...
StrikeMaster to Remain in Europe Following Strong International Interest
KONGSBERG announced that its StrikeMaster missile launch vehicle will remain in Europe, citing strong interest from international partners. The system pairs Thales Australia’s Bushmaster protected mobility vehicle with a twin‑pack Naval Strike Missile (NSM) launcher, delivering rapid, land‑based precision strike...
Better Airline Data Has Arrived
The U.S. Department of Transportation has upgraded its Origin & Destination Survey from the legacy DB1B to DB1C. The overhaul expands the sample size to 40% of tickets, shifts reporting from quarterly to monthly, and adds advance‑purchase buckets, tax inclusion,...
How Sustainable Aviation Fuel Is Reshaping the Industry’s Path to Net Zero, One Gallon at a Time
Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is moving from niche to mainstream in business aviation, offering a drop‑in replacement that cuts lifecycle carbon emissions by 75‑80%. At NBAA‑BACE 2025, Avfuel and Bombardier highlighted that a 30:70 SAF‑jet fuel blend delivers significant emissions...
BBGA Launches Future Flight Working Group in 50th Anniversary Year
British Business and General Aviation Association (BBGA) announced a new Future Flight working group during its 50th‑anniversary conference. The group will focus on urban and regional air mobility, providing member consultation, regulator outreach, and technology integration. Led by BBGA vice‑chair...
That Time Clint Eastwood Almost Drowned After Crashing in a US Navy Skyraider Off the Coast of Northern California
In September 1951 a US Navy AD‑1 Skyraider ran out of fuel and was forced to ditch off Point Reyes, Northern California. The aircraft’s pilot, Lt. F.C. Anderson, and his passenger, a 21‑year‑old Army private named Clint Eastwood, survived the...
Video Shows NATO Fighter Jets Soaring Through the “Greek Mach Loop” During Exercise Iniochos 2026
During Exercise Iniochos 2026, NATO fighter jets—including French Mirage 2000s, Greek F‑4 Phantoms, Slovenian PC‑9s and Hellenic F‑16s—flew low‑level through the famed Greek Mach Loop. The multinational air drill, hosted at Andravida Air Base from 2 March to 23 March, featured a full...
BBGA and EBAA to End Dual Membership Agreement
The British Business and General Aviation Association (BBGA) and the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) will terminate their dual‑membership agreement on August 7, 2026, after ten years. The split stems from an inability to align subscription‑fee structures. Members will no longer have...
Airhub Aviation Signs Base Maintenance Agreement with AerCap
Airhub Aviation has secured a base‑maintenance agreement with AerCap, the world’s largest aircraft lessor, to service AerCap’s fleet at its Siauliai International Airport facility in Lithuania. The contract covers a full suite of MRO tasks, including avionics upgrades, cabin reconfigurations,...
Capstone Jet Charter Launches Advisory-Led Brokerage Backed by Guardian Jet
Capstone Jet Charter has launched an on‑demand charter brokerage that emphasizes advisory evaluation over a simple aircraft marketplace. Led by veteran Victoria Reina‑Duffy and backed by Guardian Jet, the firm vets operators, maintenance records, and mission suitability before recommending flights....
Signature Aviation Opens New Private Terminal at Glasgow Airport
Signature Aviation inaugurated a 433 sq m private aviation terminal at Glasgow Airport on March 16, featuring an expanded lounge, VIP area, meeting space, showers and a dedicated screening room. The opening ceremony included senior executives from both companies and highlighted charitable donations...
Mars Missions Hinge on 26‑month Launch Windows
𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗯𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀. 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴. One thing that always fascinates me about space missions is this: SpaceX’s Starship does not fly to Mars in a straight line. It follows a Hohmann transfer orbit, an elliptical path around the Sun that...
Iran War Threatens Boeing in More Ways than Just Airliner Orders
Recent hostilities in the Middle East, highlighted by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, have exposed a hidden vulnerability in Boeing’s supply chain. The disruption threatens the petro‑chemical feedstock needed for carbon‑fiber composites that underpin the 787 Dreamliner and...
Asian Airlines Hike Fuel Surcharges as Prices Surge
Malaysia Airlines and Firefly rolled out fuel surcharges in phases from March 11 and March 25, while Batik Air Malaysia and AirAsia X have followed. Across Asia, carriers such as Cathay Pacific and IndiGo are taking similar steps, although Air...
Most KZ-11 Payloads
Seven of the eight payloads from the KZ-11 launch cataloged in a 528 x 541 km x 97.5 deg sun synch orbit with 1030LT plane. The upper stage is in a 284 x 1059 km x 97.3 deg...
Watch: Fireball that Streaked Across Hawke’s Bay Sky Likely to Be Burning Space Junk
A bright fireball streaked across the sky over Hawke’s Bay early Thursday morning, prompting witnesses to think it was a plane or meteor. Observers from Wairoa to Napier reported a slow‑moving white object leaving a lingering contrail lasting up to...
World's Ugliest Airplane Flies First, Kawasaki EC-2 Stands Out
The World’s Ugliest Airplane Just Flew For The First Time In a world of increasingly homogeneous- looking military aircraft designs, the platypus-like Kawasaki EC-2 is a radical outlier. https://t.co/m5g28IKfLn
Unmanned Airship Patrols NATO Borders, Reviving Lighter‑Than‑Air Trend
An uncrewed airship is now patrolling NATO's borders - is lighter than air back in fashion? #avgeek #aerospace #airships https://t.co/RYT6aotR7P https://t.co/F0PhTCX93d
Fuel Shock From Regional War Forces SAS Flight Cancellations
A regional conflict with a global impact. Scandinavian Airlines has been forced to make multiple of short-term flight cancellations, including domestic flights within Norway, as “the entire European aviation system is now feeling the pressure from a sudden fuel shock”
SpaceX Valuation Soars Toward $30‑50 Trillion by 2035
SpaceX valuation then: $200B SpaceX valuation today: $1.25T SpaceX proposed IPO valuation: $1.7T My 2035 target? $30-50T.
Green Rocket Glow Meets Moonrise in Desert Launch
For Saint Patrick’s Day, one of my favorite rocket launch photos… Black Rock Desert, NV The green glow comes from barium chloride mixed into the AP propellant. I planned the camera location in advance to bisect the moonrise, and then...
FAA Adopts Part 450 for Commercial Space Launches
The FAA has transitioned to the new Part 450 licenses for commercial space launch/reentry. https://t.co/HjK7RLvyJQ
Former PLA J‑6 Drones Now Stored as China Advances
In this case, I think it is more likely that these are J-6 drones formerly used by the PLA that have since been withdrawn and are now stored. Chinese drones have moved on…
Airship Revival: 21st‑Century Renaissance Takes Flight
A 21st century Renaissance in lighter-than-air vehicles? Mark Piesling examines progress in airships #avgeek https://t.co/UvkccWNHnw https://t.co/LIzyTaTGGt
ASTS Clears Technical Hurdle, Targets Six Satellites Monthly
$ASTS just crossed the Rubicon With the largest commercial antenna ever deployed now operational, the technical risk is gone. Focus shifts to a production cadence of 6 satellites per month. Pitch by @CrossroadsOnX https://t.co/djAsgaqhct
EVTOL Preliminary Design and Validation Case Study Released
New on the @AeroSociety YouTube channel - #eVTOL Aircraft Preliminary Design & Validation – A Case Study #avgeek https://t.co/gZ2cUoDiih https://t.co/2eFUq9flrb
British Airways Revives Melbourne Service After 20 Years
After roughly 20 years, British Airways will be returning to Melbourne, Australia, thanks to a new fifth freedom Dreamliner route. https://t.co/LHsAw9hksw
Falcon 9 Reaches Parking Orbit, 10,020 Starlinks Deployed
Falcon 9 now in parking orbit. There are now 10020 Starlinks in orbit (although 25 of them are still attached to the Falcon 9 for another 50 min or so, until the stage's circularization burn and satellite deployment).
Yaogan 50‑02 Adjusts Orbit After Launch
Yaogan 50-02 cataloged in a 731 x 945 km x 142.0 deg orbit; upper stage did an orbit lowering burn to 573 x 836 km.
New Tech Mimics Birds for Ultra‑slow Takeoff
Cracking the Code of Slow Flight: Engineering Bird-Style Takeoff via @ZappyZappy7 #EmergingTech #Innovation #Technology #Tech https://t.co/NJlmpkZBdY