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
Sony to Showcase Advanced Drone Imaging and Sensor Technologies at Amsterdam Drone Week 2026
Sony will exhibit at Amsterdam Drone Week 2026, showcasing its imaging and sensor portfolio for commercial drones. The lineup includes the full‑frame ILX‑LR1 camera, Alpha series cameras, the FCB‑ER9500 4K/60 block camera, and the AS‑DT1 miniature LiDAR sensor. Sony also highlights integration tools such as its Camera Remote Toolkit and partnerships with drone manufacturers. Real‑world deployments, like at the Port of Hamburg, illustrate the safety and efficiency gains.
Press Release: Gilat Secures Multi-Million Dollar IFC Hardware Order
Gilat Satellite Networks announced a multi‑million‑dollar order from a leading in‑flight connectivity integrator for its AeroStream Ka‑band wideband amplifiers. The hardware, including 60 W Ka‑band block upconverters, will be delivered over the next 24 months to equip commercial aircraft. Gilat notes...
Russia Fixes Launch Pad Damaged by Thanksgiving Astronaut Launch to the International Space Station
Russia’s Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31, the only pad used for crewed Soyuz flights, was out of service after a Nov 27, 2025 launch damaged its service cabin and infrastructure. Roscosmos announced on March 3 that a 150‑person team completed extensive repairs, replacing 2,350 square meters...
Guidance: Air Safety Management System Overview (ASMsO)
The UK Ministry of Defence is offering a two‑day Air Safety Management System Overview (ASMsO) course to equip military personnel with the knowledge to develop and manage air safety management systems. The blended program covers the 16 functional elements of...
ESA to Open Call for European-Led Space Station Studies
The European Space Agency (ESA) has issued a call for tenders to conduct two Pre‑Phase A studies assessing the feasibility of a European‑led, modular space station in low‑Earth orbit. The studies will examine architecture, utilization, and technology needs, and will explore...
Telespazio Deploys LEO-Based Mobile Satcom for Brazil’s Presidential Security Office
Telespazio Brasil, a Leonardo‑Thales joint venture, has rolled out VELOCE, a low‑Earth‑orbit mobile satellite communications system for Brazil’s Institutional Security Office. The solution offers high‑speed, low‑latency voice and data links across the entire country, including the remote Amazon region where...
Press Release: SkySelect Raises $9m to Fix Aviation’s $11bn Supply Chain Crisis with AI Procurement
SkySelect announced a $9 million funding round to scale its AI‑powered aviation procurement platform, aiming to alleviate the $11 billion supply‑chain crisis highlighted by IATA. Airlines spend $60 billion annually on parts, yet manual processes generate $50 billion in excess inventory and grounding delays....
Indian Air Force Conducts Major Exercise ‘Vayu Shakti 2026’ at Pokhran
On February 27 the Indian Air Force staged Exercise Vayushakti‑26 at Pokhran, field‑testing more than 130 aircraft across fighter, transport, and helicopter fleets. President Droupadi Murmu attended and flew in an indigenously built HAL Prachand light combat helicopter. The drill featured...
Reliable Space Rescue Is a Prerequisite for Continued Economic Opportunity in Space and We Have a Long Way to Go
SpaceX Crew 11’s emergency return in January 2026 marked the first crew rescue from orbit, proving that a rapid LEO evacuation is possible. The rescue highlighted a stark gap: no reliable, on‑demand capability exists for commercial missions beyond low Earth orbit. As...
Heritage Foundation Rates Space Force ‘Marginal’
The Heritage Foundation’s 2026 Index of US Military Strength gave the U.S. Space Force a marginal overall grade, citing severe shortfalls in resources, capacity, and readiness for contested space operations. The report highlights deficiencies in communications, weather forecasting, space domain...
American Airlines Blasts United for Flooding Chicago O’Hare to Block Gates — The Employee Memo Isn’t Signed by CEO Robert...
American Airlines issued an internal memo, signed by its COO and chief commercial officer, accusing United Airlines of flooding Chicago O’Hare with flights to manipulate gate allocations under a unique lease provision. The memo’s omission of CEO Robert Isom raises...
Blue Origin’s Surprise TeraWave Constellation Jolts LEO Broadband Race
Blue Origin filed an FCC application for a hybrid LEO‑MEO broadband system called TeraWave, proposing 5,280 low‑Earth orbit satellites operating in Q‑ and V‑bands and 128 medium‑Earth orbit satellites linked by lasers. The architecture promises point‑to‑point links delivering up to...
El Al Resumes Limited Ops as Tel Aviv Reopens
El Al Israel Airlines will restart inbound services on 4 March 2026, operating a single flight per hour as Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport reopens. The limited schedule focuses on repatriating Israelis stranded in 22 European, Asian and U.S. locations, while outbound sales are...
Warp Nacelle Print Collapse Leaves Me with Spaghetti
Well dang. Bound to happen. Enterprise’s warp nacelle pylon’s fell during printing and I got spaghetti.
ADB Safegate Sells Terminal Business
Belgian‑based ADB Safegate announced the sale of its Terminal business, sharpening its focus on airside operations. The company will concentrate on next‑generation airfield lighting, intelligent power solutions, and digital platforms, while expanding R&D through its Safegate Labs initiative. Upgrades to...
India Signs $238M Deal with Russia for Shipborne Missiles
India’s Ministry of Defence signed a contract with Russia’s Rosoboronexport on March 3 to purchase ship‑borne vertical‑launch surface‑to‑air missiles for the Navy’s Shtil‑1 system. The $238 million (2,182 crore rupees) deal will provide 9M317ME missiles for four Project 11356 frigates, including the already‑operational F70 Tushil...
U.S. Air Force Conducts Minuteman III Missile Test Launch
The U.S. Air Force launched an unarmed Minuteman III ICBM from Vandenberg Space Force Base on March 3, carrying two test reentry vehicles to a target near Kwajalein Atoll. The flight, designated GT 255, is part of a long‑running reliability program that has...
Circuits Integrated Launches Ka-Band Integrated Switch Power Amplifiers
Circuits Integrated Hellas has introduced the CI-ONE family, a small‑form‑factor Ka‑band module that combines a high‑performance power amplifier with a single‑pole double‑throw switch. The integrated solution delivers 5 ns switching, up to 36 dBm output, and about 22% efficiency at the 1 dB...
U.S. Marine Corps Buys More Titan Counter-Drone Systems
The U.S. Marine Corps awarded BlueHalo Labs a $22.8 million contract modification to purchase additional Titan SV MPv3 counter‑drone systems and spare‑parts kits under its Organic‑Counter Small Unmanned Aerial Systems program. Delivery is slated for on or before July 1 2026, addressing an...
U.S. Air Force Signs $1.9B C-130J Simulator Support Deal
The U.S. Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin a $1.9 billion contract for the C‑130J Maintenance and Training System IV (JMATS IV). The deal covers production, modernization, sustainment, and support of high‑fidelity aircrew and maintenance simulators. The program will service training devices across dozens...
Russia Likely Downed Its Own Military Helicopter
Russian air defenses likely shot down their own Ka‑52 attack helicopter near Millerovo on March 3 while intercepting a massive Ukrainian drone swarm. The helicopter was reportedly misidentified as a hostile UAV, resulting in crew casualties that remain unconfirmed. Russian officials...
Breaking: Israeli F-35I Shoots Down Iranian Yak-130 Over Iran
On March 4, 2026, the Israeli Air Force confirmed that an F‑35I Adir shot down an Iranian Yak‑130 over Tehran, marking the first time an F‑35 has downed a manned fighter. The Yak‑130 was reportedly on a counter‑drone mission, equipped...
Revised UK Night Flight Policy Needed
The UK government must overhaul its night‑flight regime before 2028 as the delayed Aviation Night Noise Effects (ANNE) study pushes policy decisions into the autumn. Night flights underpin the air‑freight sector, delivering express services that 95% of businesses label essential...
Vista America Receives FAA Diamond Award of Excellence
Vista America has earned the Federal Aviation Administration’s Diamond Award of Excellence, the highest U.S. distinction for maintenance training. The award required every eligible technician to finish a year‑long curriculum covering advanced aircraft systems, regulations and safety procedures. The company...
Saxon Air Adds Agusta AW139 to Managed Fleet
Saxon Air has expanded its managed fleet with a 2025‑built Agusta AW139, registration G‑MCFC, now available for charter services. The medium‑twin helicopter seats seven in an executive layout and offers increased payload, range, and flexibility for UK and European missions, including...
PLD Space Raises $209 Million to Shift Into Serial Rocket Production
PLD Space announced a €180 million Series C round, the largest European space funding this year, to accelerate serial production of its Miura 5 launch vehicle. The round was led by Japan’s Mitsubishi Electric, which will receive priority launch access for its satellite...
Book Review: Space Shock
The review of *Space Shock: 18 Threats That Will Define Space Power* examines China’s surge in space capabilities in 2025, from asteroid sampling to lunar lander tests, and frames them as strategic challenges for the United States. The authors, Garretson...
Aircraft Interiors Industry Development Summary: Jan/Feb-2026 - A321XLR Lavatory Headaches
CAPA’s latest bi‑monthly analysis flags growing passenger backlash over the lavatory design on the Airbus A321XLR. The aircraft’s extended range and flexible cabin layouts have prompted airlines to experiment with new interior configurations, but cramped restroom spaces are sparking complaints....
F-15E Deploys Massive Counter‑Drone Arsenal in Epic Fury
USAF F-15E in full counter drone loadout for Epic Fury. 4 X AIM-120, 4X AIM-9, 28 FALCO APKWS laser-guided rockets + the 20mm. Jet is clean aside from that, so likely has nearby tanker support and can get to...
Space Data Centers: Foundation for Mars, Colonies, Dyson Swarms
Data centers in space are the stepping stone to everything. Mars, O'Neill colonies, Dyson swarms. It all starts with compute in orbit.
ATN International Inc (ATNI) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
ATN International reported fourth‑quarter 2025 revenue of $1.2 billion and full‑year revenue of $4.6 billion, the strongest top line since 2012. Adjusted EBITDA reached $232 million in Q4 and $859 million for the year, lifting the margin to 19.7% and surpassing guidance. Management guided...
Unlimited Precision Bombs Arrive with New Bombers and Fighters
"We are just getting started...more bombers and more fighters are arriving just today.. we will be using 500 lbs, 1000 lbs, 2000 lbs gps and laser guided precision gravity bombs of which we have a nearly unlimited stockpile."
12 Launches Aim for 45 Satellites by Year‑end
Will the schedule stick this time? @AST_SpaceMobile forecasts 12 launches between March and Dec, all but the first carrying multiple BlueBird Block 2 sats. Goal: at least 45 in orbit by year's end. Commercial service would start in in H2....
South Australia Chosen for HAMR Energy’s First Australian Methanol-to-Jet SAF Plant
South Australia has been chosen as the site for HAMR Energy’s $700‑800 million methanol‑to‑jet sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) plant, the first of its kind in the country. The facility will use Honeywell technology to convert 300,000 tonnes of low‑carbon methanol into about...
Russian Sources Say Own Mi‑8AMTSh Downed by Friendly Fire
Several Russian Telegram and media sources say that a Russian Mi-8AMTSh helicopter was shot down last night by Russian air defenses.
Ukrainian UAVs Destroy Russian S‑400 Launcher in Belgorod
Video from the Ukrainian National Guard Lasar’s Group of bomber UAS strikes on a Russian S-400 TEL in Belgorod oblast that was located by the 429th Achilles Brigade. https://t.co/JQeQ980VPP https://t.co/X5MSQYsK1D
Southwest Faces Pushback on Assigned Seating One Month In
Southwest Airlines abandoned its 53‑year open‑seating model on Jan. 27, becoming the last U.S. carrier to switch to assigned seating. Within a month, passengers voiced strong dissatisfaction, citing standby assignments and family separations despite available seats. In response, Executive Vice President...
Inception Aviation CEO Discusses Future at RAeS Fireside
Today at RAeS HQ! As part of #RAeSCivilAviationWeek - Tony Lucking Fireside Chat 2026 - Tasos Michael - CEO, Inception Aviation Holdings Limited #avgeek https://t.co/nDuunYNrFf https://t.co/KXoTZlU6Aj
Decorated Kuwaiti Pilot
Kuwaiti AF Hornet pilot promotion board, 20 years hence "30-plus years of service. Combat medals. Citations. Only man to shoot down three planes in the last 40 years. Why are you still a Captain?" https://t.co/1mfw8xqxRz
Singapore Airlines Newark–Singapore Flight Clips a Spirit Jet at the Gate — One of the World’s Longest Routes Sits for...
Singapore Airlines Flight 21, a 19‑hour‑10‑minute non‑stop Newark‑Singapore service, clipped the tail of a Spirit Airlines aircraft while departing the gate. The low‑speed contact prompted a six‑and‑a‑half‑hour delay while the A350‑900 underwent mandatory structural checks. FAA officials classified the event as...
Kairos Launch Scrubbed Amid Ongoing Space One‑Firefly Delays
Kairos launch scrubbed, as Space One and Firefly Aerospace continue their battle of the launch delays.
Kuwaiti Hornet Shoots Down Three U.S. F‑15
Kuwaiti F/A-18 Hornet Responsible For Shooting Down Three USAF F-15E Strike Eagles: Report The bizarre friendly fire incident resulted in the total loss of all three Strike Eagles, but their crews survived. https://t.co/CRnKlnLVDa
Space Force Modernization Push Runs Into Acquisition Workforce Shortfall
The Space Force’s push to modernize its space capabilities is being hampered by a critical shortage of contracting officers and financial managers. As the service moves from buying discrete hardware to fielding integrated warfighting systems, it needs acquisition professionals with...
First Symphony Engine Prototype Enters Production with 3,000lb Aluminum Frame
As the first prototype Symphony engine approaches assembly, we've launched manufacturing for the first production unit. Here is 3,000lbm of cast aluminum, which will be HIP'd and then machined into an inlet frame. https://t.co/8yiGkixeJ6
US Sinks Iranian Fleet as Iran’s Missile Barrage Falters
A few notable details here. Adm. Cooper says: - The U.S. is sinking "the entire" Iranian navy, including 17 ships so far - Iran has launched 500 ballistic missiles and 2,000 drones so far - U.S. combat power still building as Iran's is...
Launch Tower Upgrades Needed for Rapid Artemis Missions
Problem with more rapid SLS launces in my mind is the ability to turn around the launch tower work quick enough. There was big damage after Artemis 1 to the tower and it took a lot of time (and $$$)...
Add Backup Launch Tower to Boost Launch Frequency
Can't it be used as a second launch tower for when the other is being repaired? Seems reasonable to have a few of them if they really want that launch frequency to rise.
NASA Officially Drops EUS and ML‑2 From Roadmap
This NASA press release is the first time I've seen them say explicity that EUS and ML-2 are no longer part of the plan. It was implied before, but not stated. https://t.co/dszeLdwLOG https://t.co/M5G9X3Kejl
Russia Deploys Cheaper, Faster, More Powerful Cruise Missile
New Russian Air-Launched Cruise Missile Appears In Ukraine The Izdeliye 30 is likely cheaper, faster to produce, and harder-hitting than previous Russian air-launched cruise missiles. https://t.co/sRc5Dz3PJ0
SLS Fixed, New Rollout Begins April 1
SLS repaired ✅ New rollout in the coming weeks ✅ Launch window: starts April 1st ✅