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
Artemis II Launch Attempt Set
NASA’s crewed Artemis II mission is slated for a series of launch windows in early April, with the first attempt targeted for 1 April 2024 at 6:24 pm EDT and a backup on 2 April. All launch teams have signaled a GO, but officials highlighted a heightened risk profile due to the lack of a regular flight cadence. John Honeycutt suggested a rough 1‑in‑2 success probability, noting the limited data on first‑flight rockets. The discussion also touched on the Moon Gateway, which remains a lower‑priority element under the current NASA administration’s transportation focus.
Subscriber Update – Boeing 737 Production and Deliveries
Boeing recorded 16 first flights of the 737 MAX through March 11, showing the assembly line is still operating at a normal rate. However, only three MAX aircraft were delivered in March, leaving thirteen completed jets in inventory awaiting a wiring repair....
Advanced Air Mobility Takes Off Under the FAA’s eIPP, While Intellectual Property Tensions Rise
On March 9, 2026 the U.S. DOT and FAA unveiled the Advanced Air Mobility and eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP), selecting eight multi‑state projects to begin real‑world operations by summer 2026. The program gives manufacturers a structured pathway to fly in national...
NASA's Tiny Spacecraft Sends First Exoplanet Images
NASA's SPARCS CubeSat has returned its first ultraviolet images, proving the spacecraft’s camera and detectors work in orbit. The one‑year mission will continuously monitor far‑UV and near‑UV emissions from about 20 low‑mass stars, whose frequent flares influence the habitability of...
UK Confirm New Medium Helicopter Timeline for the First Time
The United Kingdom has announced a definitive delivery schedule for its New Medium Helicopter (NMH) programme, with the first Leonardo AW149 expected in summer 2030 and the final unit arriving by autumn 2033. The £1 bn contract awards Leonardo UK 23...
Pilots Tackle Information Overload in Captains Speaking
Dealing With Information Overload as a Pilot - Captains Speaking Ep. 27 #aviation #airplane #pilot #pilotsofinstagram #mentourpilot
Italy’s Leonardo Rides High on Soaring Global Defense Spending
Leonardo announced a bullish industrial plan targeting €32 billion in annual orders by 2030, up from €23.8 billion last year. The firm projects revenue to climb 50% to €30 billion, driven by a new air‑defence system, the Michelangelo Dome, and an expanded focus...
Dual-Use Autonomous Unmanned Helicopter for Long-Endurance & Heavy-Lift Missions
Swiss firm Roze Mobility has introduced the SH-917, an autonomous unmanned helicopter designed for both civilian and military missions. The platform delivers up to eight hours of endurance and can lift 250 kg, thanks to a carbon‑fiber airframe and a turbocharged...
Avianca Cargo Introduces A330F Link Between Bogota and Caracas
Avianca Cargo launched a weekly Airbus A330F freighter between Bogotá and Caracas on March 7, providing up to 60 tonnes of maindeck capacity. The service adds 7 tonnes of belly cargo on passenger flights, creating a combined 67‑tonne weekly offering. The airline also...
Fairmat to Recover Carbon Composite Panels From Airbus and Work with Several Other Fields
Fairmat announced a contract with Airbus to recycle carbon‑composite panels from the A350, using its patented Infinity cold‑plasma technology that preserves mechanical performance. The process produces virgin‑quality fibers while dramatically lowering carbon emissions compared with new material production. At JEC...
Leonardo to Launch Michelangelo Air Defense Dome Test in Ukraine
Leonardo announced that its Michelangelo air‑defence dome will undergo its first operational test in Ukraine by the end of 2026, followed by NATO‑wide trials in 2027 and full EU integration by 2030. The system, built around the MC5 plug‑in module,...
UAV Navigation-Grupo Oesía Will Ensure the Safe Cross-Domain Operation of UAS to Protect and Safeguard Lives Through Advanced Hidden Threat...
UAV Navigation‑Grupo Oesía is joining the EU‑funded TICHE project to enable safe cross‑domain operation of UAV and UGV swarms for hidden‑threat detection. The consortium will integrate advanced sensors, AI‑driven data fusion and the company’s guidance, navigation and control (GNC) expertise...
UAVOS Utilizes In-House Manufactured Composite Curing Oven to Produce UAVRotor Blades with Extended Service Life
UAVOS announced the production of a new batch of high‑performance composite rotor blades for its unmanned helicopters, cured in the company’s proprietary OVEN‑500‑2000 composite curing oven. The blades, featuring a NACA 23012 airfoil and optional stainless‑steel leading‑edge insert, are rated for...
MSC Takes Delivery of Seventh B777-200F
MSC Air Cargo, the freighter arm of MSC Group, has taken delivery of its seventh Boeing 777‑200F at Boeing’s Everett facility. The new aircraft, registered in Italy, expands the carrier’s European AOC fleet to seven 777Fs and adds Rome Fiumicino...
U.S. Air Force Tests ARMD Missile Demonstrator
The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory and Ursa Major successfully flight‑tested the Affordable Rapid Missile Demonstrator (ARMD), reaching supersonic speed with the Draper liquid rocket engine. The test validated throttleable liquid propulsion and demonstrated that a complete missile system can...
Leaked Documents Show Chinese Interest in Ka-52 Helicopters
Leaked internal documents from Russia’s Progress helicopter plant show that officials evaluated a production run of up to 48 Ka‑52M attack helicopters for an unnamed foreign client coded “156.” The paperwork details component sourcing, pricing, and a three‑stage financing scheme...
ALL.SPACE Signs Viasat Partnership Deal
ALL.SPACE announced a strategic partnership with Viasat, securing Category 4 certification for its Hydra electronically steered terminal on the Viasat Global Xpress (GX) Ka‑band network. The certification enables full‑performance operation across Viasat’s high‑capacity steerable beams for on‑move, on‑pause, and halt scenarios....
Awery Becomes First Company to Integrate IATA CO2 Connect Tool for Cargo
Awery Aviation Software has become the first digital platform to embed IATA’s CO2 Connect for Cargo into its ERP system, giving users real‑time, flight‑specific emissions data within existing workflows. The calculator draws on operational inputs from over 100 airlines, delivering...
OSS Announces $10.5 Million in New Awards to Support U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon Aircraft Program
One Stop Systems (OSS) secured $10.5 million in new awards from the U.S. Navy and a prime defense contractor to supply rugged NVMe storage units for the P‑8A Poseidon aircraft. The contracts cover hot‑swappable, high‑capacity flash canisters designed for secure, rapid...
ÖAMTC Flugrettung and Airbus Sign Long-Term Framework Contract for H135, H140 and H145 Helicopters
ÖAMTC Flugrettung and Airbus Helicopters have signed a long‑term framework contract covering the H135, H140 and H145 models. The deal builds on ÖAMTC’s role as launch customer for the H140, which will enter EMS service in 2028. ÖAMTC currently operates...
Air Transport Europe Orders Airbus H135 and H140 Helicopters
Air Transport Europe (ATE), a Slovak‑Czech HEMS operator, has signed a contract with Airbus Helicopters for one H135 and one H140. The H135 will join ATE’s existing fleet equipped with the Helionix digital avionics suite and a 4‑axis autopilot, while...
DRF Luftrettung Expands Fleet with Order for Four Additional Airbus H145 Helicopters
German HEMS provider DRF Luftrettung announced an order for four additional Airbus H145 helicopters, expanding its fleet to become one of the largest H145 operators in Europe. The new aircraft complement the existing 50‑plus H135 and H145 helicopters deployed across...
ADAC Luftrettung and Airbus Sign Framework Contract for H135, H140 and H145 Helicopters
ADAC Luftrettung and Airbus Helicopters have signed a long‑term framework agreement covering the H135, H140 and H145 models. The deal expands ADAC's fleet, which already includes 60 Airbus helicopters operating from 37 stations and handling roughly 50,000 missions annually. The...
IATA Announces New AI Initiatives to Support Air Cargo Operations
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) unveiled three AI‑focused initiatives aimed at modernising air cargo operations. The first is AI Subject Matter Expert (AI SME), a mobile and web app that lets users query IATA cargo and safety manuals in...
EFW to Convert A330 to Freighter for APAL
Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW) has secured a contract to convert an Airbus A330‑300 into a freighter for Hong Kong‑based lessor Asia Pacific Aviation Leasing Group (APAL), marking their first passenger‑to‑freighter (P2F) collaboration. The conversion will start in the second quarter of 2026...
New Glenn Vs. Nova
Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket completed its first flawless propulsive landing in November 2025, cementing the company’s entry into the operational, partially reusable heavy‑lift market. The launch delivered NASA’s ESCAPADE probes and demonstrated a rapid test‑fix cycle after a failed first attempt...
Joby Starts Flight Tests of Its FAA-Conforming Aircraft
Joby Aviation announced the first flight of its FAA‑conforming eVTOL, N547JX, to begin Type Inspection Authorization (TIA) testing. The aircraft, built to FAA‑approved designs, will later host FAA pilots at Joby’s Marina, California facility for rigorous certification flights. The launch...
Riyadh Air Reveals 15 New Global Routes: See All Flights Now
Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s flagship carrier aligned with Vision 2030, has submitted an initial network for the 2026 summer season, outlining 15 prospective routes across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. The airline already operates daily non‑revenue flights to London...
U.S. Navy Restarts Railgun Firing Trials in New Mexico
The U.S. Navy resumed electromagnetic railgun testing at White Sands Missile Range in February 2025 after years of budget‑driven pauses. The three‑day trial, conducted by Naval Sea Systems Command and the Dahlgren Division, collected data on high‑velocity projectile launches. The...
Norwegian Jets Shadow Russian Coot-A Spy Plane
Norwegian Air Force F‑35 fighters intercepted a Russian Ilyushin Il‑20M “Coot‑A” reconnaissance plane flying in international airspace off Finnmark on two consecutive days. The missions occurred while NATO conducted its Cold Response 2026 exercise, prompting Quick Reaction Alert sorties from Evenes...
IST and Airbus Team up for Training
iGA Istanbul Airport has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Airbus, becoming the aircraft maker’s first direct training partner among airport operators. The deal creates the iGA Academy, a dedicated training and development centre that will deliver regional programmes blending...
NASA ESCAPADE Will Study Space Weather From Earth to Mars
NASA’s ESCAPADE mission has activated its twin science instruments to study how the solar wind stripped Mars of its atmosphere, turning a once‑wet world into a barren desert. Launched on 13 Nov 2025, the dual‑orbiter pair is the first to operate together...
SunExpress Unveils Crystal Palace ‘Eagle’ Livery Aircraft at London Gatwick
SunExpress unveiled a Crystal Palace‑themed Boeing 737 MAX 8, dubbed “The Eagle,” at London Gatwick, with the livery selected by 87 percent of fan votes. The aircraft joins SunExpress’s network as the airline prepares to operate from twelve UK and Irish airports by...
China Designates Satellite Broadband as Top Priority
China’s premier Li Qiang has elevated satellite broadband to a national priority, placing it alongside semiconductors and cloud‑computing in the government work report. The National Development and Reform Commission will treat satellite Internet as a "large‑scale major project," unlocking hundreds...
Make 'No Wi-Fi' An Airline Sales Pitch
Air India launched domestic in‑flight Wi‑Fi in January 2025, positioning itself as a tech‑forward carrier. A year later, the article questions whether the service truly adds value for business travelers. It argues that the enforced disconnection of a flight provides a...
PTC Lands ISRO Titanium Ingot Order, Expands VAR/PAM Capability
PTC secures an aerospace-grade titanium ingot order for ISRO and scales VAR and PAM capability. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/03/aerospace-grade-titanium-ingot-order.html
Amid Crowded Skies, FAA Kills Rule Aimed at Regulating Space Junk
The FAA withdrew a 2023 proposal that would have forced commercial launch providers to remove upper‑stage rocket debris within 25 years, after industry pushback over cost and authority concerns. The rule aimed to curb a growing orbital junk problem that...
Malaysia Airlines Extends Doha Suspension Through March 2026
Malaysia Airlines has extended the temporary suspension of its Doha flights until 20 March 2026 due to continued security developments in the region. The route was initially suspended from 28 Feb due to airspace closures. The airline said it is...
Lynk Architecture Cuts Costs by Splitting Functions
“we like the Lynk architecture. It’s a unique design which puts certain functions up in the satellite, certain functions on the ground and this will deliver an overall lower-cost business case,” via @malleven33 https://t.co/QPfqnMP3XF
Avio Posts Record 2025 Earnings, Fuels US Defense Expansion
Space-launch, defense propulsion manufacturer @Avio_Group reports record rev, profit, EBITDA for 2025 w/ Vega-C & Ariane 6 rocket successes . Launcher profit to fund buildup of US defense business. @esa @ASI_spazio @ArianeGroup @Arianesace.https://t.co/pdVgkR5CeO https://t.co/xHn1y6vHnp
SAC's Finest Hour: 60 B‑52s over Soviet Borders
SACs finest hour - Cuban Missile Crisis - 60(!) B-52s circling off the coast/borders of Soviet Union, notes Robert Hopkins. #avgeek https://t.co/AqRTUfjI3n
Ukraine’s $1,000 Drones Inspire Global Defense Innovation
"These are Ukraine’s $1,000 interceptor drones the Pentagon [and now many countries] wants to buy." https://t.co/UK44ifiKp8 Through surviving daily Russian attacks / war crimes from missiles and drones with whatever means they could acquire comes an innovation that will save many...
Firefly Alpha Launch Successful, Satellite Placed in Precise Orbit
The Firefly Alpha launch appears to have been fully successful. The LM-400 test satellite is being tracked in a 401 x 405 km x 123.0 deg orbit, and the Alpha second stage made a perigee lowering burn at about...
Wide-Beamed Bristol
Here’s a peek at the recovery vessel. She’s not especially yar, but is very wide of beam, with clean spaces and, definitely, ship shape and in Bristol fashion https://t.co/pP9vklQCLt
Metro Ad Suggests Relativity Space's Unexpected Strategic Pivot
Saw this ad on the Metro this morning and thought for a second that Relativity Space had made a very sharp pivot. https://t.co/MWdZhHXmrq
Defining a Lunar Base: Landers, Proximity, Night Survival
This does get to the question of what is a “lunar base”. Is one CLPS lander the first element of a lunar base? Two, near each other? Do they have to survive the lunar night??
FCC Chair Delivers Package to Amazon After SpaceX Spat
D.C. Memo: In an Unusual Move, @FCC Chairman @BrendanCarrFCC Drops the Package at @Amazon’s Front Door; Carr reacted negatively to Amazon’s attack on @SpaceX’s effort to build a massive data center satellite constellation in low Earth orbit https://t.co/HSMxGLeUuw
FTAI's Narrative Shifts Toward Capital‑Light Model
The narrative on $FTAI is starting to change - Leading MRO franchise for CFM56 engines - Transforming into a capital-light, high-visibility model - Yet still valued like a cyclical lessor - Perception began to shift in Q4 - Time to take a closer look Pitch by...
Key Takeaways From RAeS Commercial Aviation Summit 2026
New on the @AeroSociety YouTube channel -'Highlights from the RAeS Commercial Aviation Summit 2026' #avgeek https://t.co/KpdnfYbYlA
Ukrainian Drones Hit Russian Radars, Ammo Depots
Videos from Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces, SSO, and GUR’s Prymary unit of FP-2 and other UAS middle strikes on 64N6E, 48a6-K1 Podlet, Sopka-2, P-18 Terek, RSP-6 M2, and Kasta-2 radar; Geran ground relay; Tor-M2, S-300V, ammunition depots, and other targets....