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
Sierra Space Names Dan Jablonsky CEO
Sierra Space announced that longtime defense executive Dan Jablonsky will assume the role of chief executive officer on March 2, succeeding interim CEO and founder Fatih Ozmen, who will remain board chair. Jablonsky previously led Ursa Major Technologies and Maxar Technologies, bringing deep aerospace and satellite expertise. The move follows a period of leadership turnover and reflects Sierra Space’s strategic shift toward defense‑focused satellite contracts. The company also plans a 60,000‑square‑foot manufacturing facility in Centennial, Colorado, to boost production capacity.
New Airbus Jets Power Qantas HY1 Earnings
Qantas Group’s fleet renewal accelerated with Jetstar receiving two A321LRs and one A320neo, raising the share of next‑generation narrow‑body aircraft to 45 percent. The newer Airbus types deliver about 20 percent fuel‑efficiency gains and feature modern cabins that attract passengers. Jetstar’s Adjusted...
Broadband Shorts February 2026
Amazon One has asked the FCC for a two‑year extension to meet its 1,600‑satellite launch deadline, currently operating only 212 satellites, while the FCC approved an additional 4,500 satellites for its constellation. The NTIA quickly rebuffed Starlink’s push to loosen...
Superconducting Thruster Cuts Power and Mass for Space Propulsion
Chinese researchers unveiled a compact high‑temperature superconducting magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thruster, replacing bulky copper coils with YBCO superconductors. The new design slashes power consumption from 285 kW to under 1 kW and trims mass from 220 kg to 60 kg, making it viable for small...
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base: Ohio’s Tech Powerhouse Meets 3D Printing Innovation
Wright‑Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio’s largest single‑site employer, is emerging as a premier hub for additive manufacturing within the U.S. Air Force. The Rapid Sustainment Office recently awarded a $2.5 million contract to develop a nine‑foot fused filament printer, aiming to...
UK Royal Navy Notes Hybrid Air Wing Progress with Eyes on Peregrine Drone Development
The UK Royal Navy’s Maritime Aviation Transformation (MATX) programme is advancing toward a hybrid air wing by 2040, with recent progress highlighted at the Defence IQ International Military Helicopter 2026 conference. Officials confirmed ongoing discussions to expand the deployment of the Peregrine...
China’s Tianwen-2 Probe Operating Normally on Approach to Asteroid
China’s Tianwen‑2 probe is operating normally on its heliocentric transfer toward the near‑Earth asteroid 469219 Kamoʻoalewa, with a sample‑return window set for the end of November 2027. The spacecraft, launched in May 2023, will conduct multi‑altitude investigations before employing three redundant sampling techniques...
Golden Dome for America Hits One-Year Mark but Key Questions Remain on Its Progress
One year after its launch, the Pentagon’s Golden Dome for America program aims to create a layered “shield” of sensors and interceptors to protect the U.S. homeland from aerial threats. The effort, a complex system‑of‑systems, is hampered by inter‑service integration...
Aerion Recognised for Innovation at STAT Trade Times Air Cargo Awards
Aerion was awarded the Innovative Logistics Solutions in Air Cargo of the Year at the 2026 STAT Trade Times International Award for Excellence in Air Cargo. The accolade, presented by Dallas Fort Worth International Airport CEO Chris McLaughlin, acknowledges Aerion’s technology‑driven,...
U.S. Navy Fields Single-Use EW Decoy Program for Naval Aviation
The U.S. Navy has launched a market‑research effort to field single‑use Active Expendable Decoys (AED) for its F‑35 and F‑18 fighter fleets. The program targets an initial purchase of roughly 3,000 decoys per year, rising to about 6,000 units annually...
ExecuJet Haite Gains Multi‑Authority Certification for G700 Maintenance
ExecuJet Haite Aviation Services China Co., Ltd (ExecuJet Haite) has secured certifications from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) and Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) to perform line and heavy maintenance on the Gulfstream G700. The...
Flydubai Posts $531m Profit, Hits Record Passengers
flydubai posts US$531m profit after tax for FY2025, reinforcing the momentum behind its expanding network strategy. The Dubai-based carrier reported US$591m pre-tax profit on revenues of US$3.7b, up 6% year-on-year. A record 15.7 million passengers flew with the airline, with Business...
Bowersox to Retire From NASA
Ken Bowersox, a former astronaut and four‑time shuttle veteran, announced his retirement from NASA effective March 6, ending a brief stint as associate administrator for space operations. He will be succeeded on an acting basis by deputy Joel Montalbano. The announcement...
Overture's Built‑In WiFi Eliminates Bumps and Fuel Burn
Fun fact: we are designing WiFi into Overture, so there will be no bump at all and no fuel burn impact.
World-First Gigabit-per-Second Laser Link Between Aircraft and Geostationary Satellite
European Space Agency, Airbus Defence and Space, TNO and TESAT have demonstrated the world’s first gigabit‑per‑second laser link between a moving aircraft and a geostationary satellite. During test flights over Nîmes, the UltraAir optical terminal maintained an error‑free 2.6 Gbps connection...
UKAEA to Help Pulsar Fusion with Shielding for Nuclear Propulsion System
Pulsar Fusion announced that the UK Atomic Energy Authority will assist its Sunbird Migratory Transfer Vehicle with neutron shielding and activation modelling. Sunbird’s Dual Direct Fusion Drive generates thrust and onboard electricity, promising to halve Mars transit times and reach...
ESA Selects Venturi Space for a Study on Future Lunar Rover Technologies
The European Space Agency (ESA) has commissioned Venturi Space to lead a study on next‑generation lunar rover technologies, focusing on mobility, power supply, and thermal regulation. Using its MONA LUNA test platform, Venturi will evaluate hyper‑deformable wheels, high‑performance batteries, advanced...
SkyGrid, TAMU-CC to Research Cooperative Separation of AAM Traffic in FAA Programme
SkyGrid has been awarded Task Order One under the FAA’s Center for Advanced Aviation Technologies, partnering with Texas A&M‑Corpus Christi to evaluate cooperative separation for advanced air mobility. The multi‑year effort, running through February 2027, will develop and validate a...
U.S. Army Moves Toward Plug-and-Play Drone Munition Architecture
The U.S. Army issued a sources‑sought notice to find industry partners capable of delivering a standardized munition payload interface for uncrewed aerial systems, based on the Picatinny Common Lethality Interface Kit (CLIK) and the smaller Universal Payload Interface (sUPI). The...
U.S. Air Force Initiates Program to Replace LC-130H Polar Aircraft
The U.S. Air Force has launched the Polar Modernization LC‑130J program to replace its aging LC‑130H fleet with a digitally upgraded, ski‑equipped variant of the C‑130J. The initiative will study structural reinforcements, avionics integration, and thermal protections needed for Arctic...
Boeing Defects and Rework Fell Due to Better Supplier Relations: Exec
Boeing reported a 40% drop in quality rework hours over the past year, attributing the improvement to stronger collaboration with its 1,200‑plus suppliers. Senior Vice President Ihssane Mounir highlighted expanded engineering support and a heightened focus on defect prevention as...
Boeing Secures U.S. Special Operations Command MH-47G Deal
Boeing received a $19.4 million contract modification from U.S. Special Operations Command to continue procurement of MH‑47G special‑operations helicopters. The funding extends production at Boeing’s Ridley Park facility through November 2030, sustaining the heavy‑lift, long‑range capability essential for special‑operations missions. The MH‑47G variant...
JetEffect Marks 25 Years in Business with 900 Transactions Completed
JetEffect celebrates 25 years, having completed more than 900 aircraft transactions. The U.S.-based broker handles turboprop, light, midsize, super‑midsize and long‑range business jets. Over half its workforce has been with the firm for more than two decades, enabling senior‑level advisory...
Aerobits Launches TR-10 Transponder Pre-Sale & Enhances Drone Visibility for Controlled Airspace
Aerobits has opened a pre‑sale for its TR‑10 transponder, a 10‑W low‑power Mode A/C/S unit with optional ADS‑B extended squitter designed for small drones operating in Transponder Mandatory Zones. The 75‑gram, 53.5 × 43.5 × 18 mm device delivers +40 dBm output, a dynamic range of...
SEEING FIRST, WINNING LATER THE RISE OF SPACE IN U.S. WARFARE
Benjamin Moseman's analysis traces the evolution of U.S. space assets from the limited satellite reconnaissance of Operation Linebacker II to the fully integrated, real‑time intelligence that powered the 2025 Operation Midnight Hammer. The article shows how early shortcomings in space‑based situational...
China Masks Taiwan Drill Drones as Belarus Cargo Plane
Interesting read: How China is masking drone flights in potential Taiwan rehearsal -including as a Belarusian cargo plane on aircraft tracking sites https://t.co/1kOmwyYslj
F-47 Still ‘Doing Exceptionally Well,’ on Track for 2028 Flight
The U.S. Air Force says the sixth‑generation F‑47 fighter remains on schedule for its first flight in 2028, just three years after Boeing won the contract. Gen. Dale White praised Boeing’s rapid personnel ramp‑up and highlighted the aircraft’s projected combat...
Space Force in Final Test Phase for Second GBOSS Radar Upgrade
Space Force is moving the upgraded Ground‑Based Optical Sensor (GBOSS) into operational testing at its second site in Maui, Hawaii, after the first configuration at White Sands Missile Range was approved. The modernized telescope doubles field of view, scans faster,...
World First Non-Stop Flights Between Australia and Las Vegas Set For Take Off in December 2026
Qantas will inaugurate the world’s first non‑stop scheduled service between Sydney and Las Vegas, launching on 29 December 2026 and operating through 12 March 2027. The seasonal route targets peak events such as the Consumer Electronics Show and leverages the...
Key Questions About a Potential US Air War on Iran
The Massive Questions Surrounding A Major American Air War Against Iran With the U.S. at the precipice of war with Iran, we break down the glaring questions surround such an operation and the reasoning for it. Feature: https://t.co/rvgr7kX92g
Bipartisan House Leaders Urge FCC to Drop Overreaching Space Rule
Bipartisan House SS&T leadership has sent a ltr to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr asking him to rescind the "Space Modernization" Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) bc it goes beyond the FCC's regulatory authority over radiofrequency licenses. https://t.co/NHrYyotwoH
U.S. Air Force C-146 Wolfhound Damaged During Exercise in the Philippines
A U.S. Air Force C‑146A Wolfhound collided with a concrete barrier while attempting a road take‑off during a joint training exercise in Laoac, Pangasinan, injuring all five crew members. The drill, conducted with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, was...
New Drone Factory Opens in Suffolk to Boost Ukraine's Armed Forces Against Russia's War
Ukraine’s leading drone maker Ukrspecsystems opened a £200 million production and testing facility in Suffolk, creating up to 500 British jobs. The plant will manufacture SHARK, Mini‑SHARK and PD‑2 drones that have already inflicted nearly $3 billion of damage on Russian forces....
TriMas Corp (TRS) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
TriMas Corp reported third‑quarter 2025 net sales of $269 million, a 17% year‑over‑year increase driven by 16% organic growth and strong aerospace performance. Operating profit rose 34% to $30.3 million and adjusted EBITDA climbed 25% to $48 million, while adjusted EPS jumped 42%...
Thai AirAsia Pins Growth Hopes on China, Long-Haul Markets
Thai AirAsia is targeting 6‑9% year‑on‑year revenue growth in 2026, driven by an expected 23.5 million passengers and an 85% load factor. The carrier will add five Airbus A320s to launch new China‑Chiang Mai services and expand fifth‑freedom routes. It is also...
How Aerospace, Federal Contractors Can See Real CMMI Readiness
Aerospace and federal contractors are struggling with traditional, snapshot‑based CMMI assessments that leave evidence collection to the last minute. The Defense Contract Audit Agency issued over 2,400 audits in FY2024, highlighting the growing demand for continuous, evidence‑driven process management. Momentum...
NASA Safety Panel Report Delayed by Government Shutdown
NASA's Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel's annual report is out today. Usually comes out in January but they said in December it would be late because of the Oct-Nov government shutdown. https://t.co/rUxrgbxucG
Press Release: Delta Supports New Georgia Tech Aero Engineering Building
The Delta Air Lines Foundation has pledged $5 million to support the construction of Georgia Tech’s new Aerospace Engineering Building. The state‑of‑the‑art facility will expand research in advanced aircraft design, propulsion, materials, cybersecurity, autonomy, hydrogen and eVTOL technologies. Georgia Tech’s Daniel...
Rheinmetall Showcases Integrated Attack and Counter-Drone Stack at Enforce Tac 2026
Rheinmetall unveiled an integrated asymmetric‑warfare stack at Enforce Tac 2026, combining the RCWS320C‑UAS counter‑drone weapon station, the 40 mm SSW40 squad support gun, and the portable FV‑014 loitering munition. All systems are tied into a unified command‑and‑control layer that fuses Gladius...
Senate Commerce to Mark Up NASA, NOAA Bills March 4
Senate Commerce will mark up the NASA authorization bill and the NOAA Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act on March 4, 10:00 am ET. (The latter was introduced today by Cruz & Cantwell: https://t.co/SOlKIgluOl)
Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel 2025 Annual Report Released
NASA's Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel released its 2025 annual report, spotlighting a new recommendation that NASA craft a comprehensive 20‑year strategic vision for space exploration and operations. The guidance stresses risk‑based decision‑making, clear communication, and defined criteria for make‑manage‑buy choices....
Iran Could Field ICBM‑class Missile Within 2‑3 Years
We estimated the Zoljanah would have a 4,000-5,000 km range as a missile so yeah ... US and Soviet experience would suggest they are 2-3 years from an ICBM-class system following a decision to go for it.
Iran May Field 60 ICBMs by 2035, Not Just SLVs
There is a widespread misunderstanding about the @DefenseIntel claim that Iran could develop an ICBM on the basis of SLVs by 2035. The same document also says that by 2035, it could have 60 (SIX-OH) ICBMs. https://t.co/cEpVUZ7I5Y
Who’s Watching for Human Trafficking in Aviation?
Former FAA rotorcraft director David Downey has petitioned the agency to amend Parts 121 and 135 so that airline and charter employees receive mandatory human‑trafficking recognition and response training, a requirement he says Congress already mandated but the FAA has not codified....
FAA Mandates Fix for Boeing 737 Overheating Circuit Breaker
FAA issues directive to address Boeing 737 circuit breaker issue that could cause excessively high temperatures in flight deck and cabin https://t.co/N9GmxmYtLu
Anduril Fury Echoes T‑38/F‑5 Hybrid Design
Anduril's Fury has major T-38/F-5 vibes from the underside. Sort of like if an F-16 had too many drinks with an F-5E while on deployment and this thing popped out 9 months later. (Anduril photo) https://t.co/dI5yXAf6JZ
Miami-Dade County Mayor and American Airlines Unveil Plans for MIA’s Concourse D Expansion
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and American Airlines CEO Robert Isom announced a $1 billion expansion of Concourse D’s Gate D60 at Miami International Airport. The three‑level project will convert the existing area into 17 new contact gates, upgraded boarding lounges, retail,...
Sentinel ICBM Warhead Count Remains Unclear Amid New Features
Number Of Nuclear Warheads New Sentinel ICBMs Will Carry Now An Open Question We now know much more about the USAF's sprawling plans for new Sentinel ICBM silos with features not found on Minuteman III. https://t.co/AY6pVLb4xg
Space Data Navigator Adds Guided Tours and Shareable Charts
I added some new features to the Space Data Navigator tool, including a guided tour to show what it allows you to do and the ability to share links (like this) to custom charts you make. NRO Starshield Satellites https://t.co/LdKE7c3qtr
New Hypersonic Missiles Unveiled for Fighter Planes, Ground Systems
Ursa Major unveiled the HAVOC hypersonic missile system, a medium‑range weapon that can be launched from fighter jets, bombers, ground platforms and even from space. Powered by a liquid‑rocket engine, the missile can vary its speed in flight and be...