Today's Aerospace Pulse
SpaceX IPO Valuation Hits $2 Trillion, Making Musk First Trillionaire
SpaceX went public on June 12, 2026, launching the largest IPO in history with a $2 trillion market valuation and turning founder Elon Musk into the world’s first trillion‑dollar individual. The offering priced shares at $135, closing at $160.95, and reflects a portfolio that now spans hundreds of orbital launches, the dominant Starlink broadband constellation, and expanding AI and social‑media ventures.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Eaton merges mobility business with Dana in $10B deal
A Satellite Receiver Trusted by Pentagon, ESA Has More Than 20 Security Flaws — and the Maker Never Responded
A penetration tester uncovered more than 20 critical vulnerabilities in International Data Casting Corporation's SFX2100 satellite receiver, a device deployed by the U.S. Department of Defense, the European Space Agency and other critical infrastructure operators. The flaws include hard‑coded credentials, unauthenticated remote code execution via SNMP, FTP‑based binary replacement and OS command injection, resulting in 20 new CVEs (CVE‑2026‑28769 to CVE‑2026‑29128). The manufacturer ignored multiple disclosure attempts, leaving the devices unpatched. Researchers warned that the same codebase likely affects other IDC models, demanding immediate mitigation.
ESA Has Lost Contact With One of Its PROBA-3 Spacecraft
The European Space Agency announced on 6 March that it has lost contact with the Coronagraph spacecraft of its PROBA‑3 formation‑flying mission. An anomaly on 14‑15 February caused a loss of attitude, forcing the satellite into survival mode as its solar arrays...
Advent Discloses Rejected $1.52bn Bid for UK Aerospace Supplier Senior
Advent Capital disclosed that its $1.52 billion offer for Senior, a UK aerospace components supplier, was turned down by the target's board. The rejection comes amid a competitive auction that includes Arcline Investment Management. Senior’s decision highlights valuation gaps between private‑equity...
Swan Aviation Adds Türkiye's First G700
Swan Aviation announced it has taken delivery of the first Gulfstream G700 to operate in Turkey. The G700 is Gulfstream’s flagship ultra‑long‑range business jet, capable of flying up to 7,500 nautical miles with up to 19 passengers. The acquisition marks...
Centre Ropes In Spacetech Startups To Build ‘Bodyguard’ Satellites
India’s security agencies have moved to partner with deep‑tech spacetech startups to create “bodyguard” satellites that can shield high‑value space assets. Bloomberg reports that Galaxeye, Agnikul and Dhruva Space are in advanced talks, with a test flight slated for June...
RVmagnetics, Airbus Collaborate on Sensing Mat for OOA Composite Aircraft Repair
RVmagnetics and Airbus are co‑developing an ultra‑thin sensing mat that replaces conventional thermocouples in out‑of‑autoclave (OOA) composite aircraft repairs. The mat uses RVmagnetics’ patented MicroWire technology, delivering real‑time, multi‑point temperature data up to 200 °C with a single connection. Tested through...
Schiphol Airport to Begin Renewal Works on Taxiways A & B
Schiphol Airport will commence a major renewal of taxiways A and B from March to June 2026. The project replaces roughly 65,000 m² of asphalt, upgrades drainage, installs new lighting, signage and 32 km of electrical cabling, and is split into two...
Guidance: Contractor Flying Approved Organizations Scheme (Basic Uncrewed Air Systems) (CFAOS(BU))
The Contractor Flying Approved Organisations Scheme (Basic Uncrewed Air Systems) (CFAOS (BU)) establishes a formal mechanism for approving defence‑contractor organisations that operate UK military‑registered uncrewed air systems in the Open Category and Specific S1 sub‑category. Approval follows Regulatory Article 1031 and requires organisations...
Air Charter Scotland Adds Capacity on Wick-Aberdeen Route
Air Charter Scotland has boosted capacity on the Wick‑Aberdeen Public Service Obligation route by introducing an 18‑seat Jetstream J32, adding ten seats per day from Monday to Friday and Sunday. The turboprop, wet‑leased from Dutch carrier AIS Airlines, replaces the...
BlackRock’s GIP to Acquire TCR
Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), BlackRock’s infrastructure arm, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire TCR, the world’s largest independent lessor of airport ground support equipment, from 3i Infrastructure. The deal includes a co‑investment by TCR’s management team, underscoring confidence in...
AI Compute Moves to Space for Unlimited Sun Power
We just launched GPUs into orbit. Not satellites. GPUs. For the first time, NVIDIA H100 chips are being sent into space to train AI models under constant sunlight. Not as an experiment. As infrastructure. On Earth, AI is already pushing against hard physical limits: →...
U.S. Military Moves to Turn C-130J Into Drone
Merlin Labs announced the successful completion of the Preliminary Design Review for its Merlin Pilot autonomous system on the C‑130J Super Hercules, clearing a key technical hurdle with U.S. Special Operations Command. The milestone unlocks the Critical Design phase, where...
Ukrainian Troops Halt Use of AtlasPro Recon Drones
Ukrainian troops have stopped deploying Latvian‑made AtlasPro reconnaissance drones after field tests revealed persistent software glitches and reliability problems. Military analyst Taras Chmut publicly accused the manufacturer and Ukrainian procurement officers of delivering an unusable system, even suggesting fraud in the...
New AI Hub to Empower Space-Enabled Connectivity
The European Space Agency announced a new AI Hub at its ECSAT campus in Oxfordshire, backed by the UK Space Agency. The facility will provide a testbed for AI‑driven satellite and converged communications, extending the capabilities of ESA’s existing 5G/6G...
Bjorn’s Corner: Faster Aircraft Development. Part 30. Wrap-Up.
The discussion highlights that successful aircraft manufacturers typically begin with modest, proven platforms before expanding into larger families. Rising crew‑costs, amplified by a global pilot shortage, erode the economics of hybrid regional jets that carry few passengers. Without an established...
20 Space Summits Incoming March 2026: UK, US, And World
March 2026 will host more than 20 high‑profile space conferences, summits and workshops across the UK, the United States and globally. The calendar features flagship gatherings such as Space‑Comm Europe in London, the Joint Space Operations Summit in Maryland, LPSC in...
Unlucky Again? American Airlines Boeing 787 Remains Grounded 1 Month After Madrid Incident
American Airlines’ Boeing 787 Dreamliner was forced to land in Madrid on February 3, 2026 after a nose‑gear failure, then ferried to the carrier’s Tulsa maintenance hub for repairs. The incident follows a spate of recent AA mishaps, including a...
ParaZero Appoints New VP of Global Sales to Support Global Expansion
ParaZero Technologies announced the appointment of Bat‑Sheva Noy as Vice President of Global Sales, aiming to accelerate its international commercial push in the drone safety and aerospace defense arena. Noy arrives from a two‑decade tenure at Pfizer, where she led...
Agilica & DronePort Partner to Advance Autonomous Flight in GNSS-Denied Environments
Agilica and DronePort announced a strategic partnership to embed Agilica’s ultra‑wideband (UWB) positioning system into DronePort’s innovation hub, targeting autonomous drone operations where GNSS signals are unavailable. The collaboration will debut a permanent UWB installation in DronePort’s outdoor cage with...
Belgium’s Promised F-16s Are Still Missing
Belgium pledged up to 30 F‑16 fighter jets for Ukraine but has not delivered any, citing the ongoing replacement of its own fleet with F‑35s. The lack of a formal delivery timetable means the jets remain tied up in Belgium’s...
Bangkok Airways Deepens Regional Connectivity in New Strategic Direction
Bangkok Airways is shifting from its boutique airline image toward a sustainability‑focused strategy that emphasizes regional connectivity, especially through a new secondary hub in Phuket. The carrier has begun decarbonisation by using a 1% Sustainable Aviation Fuel blend on international...
A History of Entry, Descent, and Landing of Human Spacecraft
The article traces the evolution of human spacecraft entry, descent, and landing from Vostok’s ejection‑before‑touchdown to modern capsules such as Dragon, Starliner, and Orion. It highlights how early programs diverged into ocean splashdowns, land touchdowns, and runway glides, with the...
Seraphim Space Investment Trust Posts Record Results
Seraphin Space Investment Trust reported record H2 2025 results, with net asset value climbing 20% to £337.5 million and fair‑value multiples exceeding 200% of cost for the first time. The top ten holdings delivered 79% revenue growth year‑over‑year, while more than 85%...
Planet Labs Imposes 96‑hour Delay on Middle East Imagery
Just got this from Planet Labs, they are delaying posting imagery from specific areas in the Middle East 96 hours due to operational security concerns: Reads in part: As part of Planet’s commitment to responsible data practices and the safety of personnel...
US Ignored Ukraine’s Drone‑War Expertise Before Middle East Conflict
Strange that the US did not consult Ukraine, whose army knows how to counter attacks from thousands of cheap drones, before starting a war in the Middle East From @shustry and Nancy Youssef https://t.co/coBQlEyvzU
American Airlines’ ‘Premium Push’ Now Sees It Serving Boxed Wine On Flights From Its Biggest International Premium Destination
American Airlines’ high‑profile premium push has hit a snag as boxed wine appears in Flagship Business Class on flights to and from London Heathrow, its biggest international premium market. The change follows a week‑long catering meltdown that forced the airline...
U.S. Admiral Calls Kamikaze Drones Indispensable in Iran Conflict
LUCAS Kamikaze Drones Lauded As “Indispensable” By U.S. Admiral In Charge Of Iran War Cloned from the Iranian Shahed-136, CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper praised the drones and their performance so far. https://t.co/1jrLntEJUb
Engineering‑Manufacturing Collaboration Cuts Engine Blade Lead Time
The magic happens when engineering and manufacturing work together to solve a problem. Today Boom team shaved six+ weeks off our engine blade manufacturing schedule. https://t.co/6fsH5k9odj
Video of the Week: Asia Pacific’s Talent Test - Staffing Growth in a Constrained Labour Market
Asia‑Pacific airlines face a decade‑long talent crunch as passenger traffic surges, requiring over 400,000 additional aviation professionals by the mid‑2030s. The shortage spans pilots, engineers, cabin crew and digital specialists, creating a structural mismatch between demand and supply. Recruitment struggles...
Rocket Lab Launches BlackSky Gen3 Imaging Satellite
LAUNCH of Rocket Lab Electron from Mahia at 2353 UTC Mar 5 carrying a BlackSky Global Gen3 imaging satellite
How Iran Defied Sanctions To Build A Secret Boeing Fleet
Iran has built a clandestine fleet of roughly 60 Boeing and Airbus jets by exploiting shell companies, forged documents, and mid‑flight diversions that skirt international export controls. The network sources used parts through a global broker chain, reverse‑engineers components, and...
Poland-Based Liftero Will Provide Chemical Propulsion for Indian Firm OrbitAID’s In-Orbit Servicing Mission
Polish startup Liftero has signed a contract with India’s OrbitAID to provide two multi‑thruster BOOSTER configurations for an in‑orbit servicing mission slated for the fourth quarter of 2026. The boosters use nitrous‑oxide (N₂O) chemical propulsion to deliver six‑degree‑of‑freedom (6‑DOF) maneuvering,...
Helios Laser Claims Debunked: It’s Actually ODIN Dazzler
I don't believe any of this is true. I have seen on big outlets and influencers hyping this up. I don't believe HELIOS is even deployed to the region nor has it downed a drone in combat nor would it...
Toward Practical Laser-Driven Light Sails Using Photonic Crystals
Researchers have created a photonic‑crystal light sail (PCLS) that uses a three‑dielectric nanostructure of germanium pillars, air holes, and polymer matrix to achieve high reflectivity at a propulsion‑specific wavelength. Simulations and electron‑beam fabricated prototypes demonstrate about 90 % reflectivity at 1.2 µm...
The Boeing Company (BA): Our Calculation of Intrinsic Value
Each week we run a DCF model on Boeing, arriving at an intrinsic share price of roughly $85, far below the current market level near $230. The analysis uses a 10% discount rate, 2.5% terminal growth, and forecasts free cash...
Kuala Lumpur–Wuhan Air Link Returns As AirAsia Schedules Four Weekly Flights
AirAsia announced the reinstatement of its Kuala Lumpur‑Wuhan service, slated to begin on 22 May 2026. The carrier will operate four weekly flights using Airbus A320neo aircraft, reviving a route that was suspended in 2020. The connection links Malaysia’s capital...
Travel Turmoil at Barcelona International Airport as Emirates, Qatar Airways, El Al, Blue Bird, and Etihad Cancel 21 Flights and...
Travel turmoil at Barcelona‑El Prat saw 21 flights cancelled and more than 300 delayed, involving Emirates, Qatar Airways, El Al, Blue Bird and Etihad. The disruptions affected major international routes to Dubai, Doha, Tel Aviv and Abu Dhabi, stranding thousands of passengers....
New Webb Data Says Asteroid 2024 YR4 Will Miss the Moon in 2032
New James Webb Space Telescope observations collected on Feb. 18 and 26 refined the orbit of near‑Earth asteroid 2024 YR4, eliminating any chance of a lunar impact on Dec. 22, 2032. The asteroid is now projected to miss the Moon by about 13,200 miles (21,200 km)....
New AI‑Driven Weapons Define Future Warfare
AI-enabled kill chains, swarming drones, high-energy lasers and stealth clusters...the weapons pummeling Iran," my latest @DailyMail https://t.co/5DPTssFCRC World War I introduced the tank and large-scale air combat. World War II debuted radar, jet aircraft, and the atomic bomb. The Gulf War...
Senate Commerce Committee to Vote on NASA Deputy Nominee Thursday
Following today's nomination hearing for Matt Anderson to be NASA Deputy Admin, the Senate Commerce Cmte will vote on his nomination (and several others) next Thursday, Mar 12, at approx 11:30 am ET. It's in the Capitol (S-216) so likely...
Terran Orbital Appoints Kwon Park as Senior Director of Manufacturing Operations
Terran Orbital, a Lockheed Martin company, announced Kwon Park as senior director of manufacturing operations. Park brings more than 20 years of aerospace and defense manufacturing experience, including leadership of a $300 million aerospace site. He will oversee manufacturing execution, production...
CENTCOM Calls LUCAS Drones Indispensable Amid Inquiry
Our Howard Altman asking about the use and efficacy of LUCAS drones at the CENTCOM presser today.
Boom Launches 200k‑sqft Denver Plant for 1‑2 GW/Year Turbines
Boom is building a 200,000sqft factory in Denver where we will build 1-2GW/year of turbines from raw materials. First equipment arrived today. https://t.co/HijqLgjsBL
Branson Talks Virgin Galactic Return to Flight and Government Backing at Space-Comm Europe
Virgin Galactic announced that its next‑generation Delta Class suborbital vehicle will begin commercial flights by the end of 2026, targeting a rapid 48‑hour turnaround between missions. The move follows Blue Origin’s decision to suspend New Shepard flights, positioning Virgin as...
Total Air Supremacy over Iran Not yet Achieved
The Misconception That Air Supremacy Has Been Achieved Over Iran While there are areas where air superiority exists over Iran, total air supremacy has not been achieved, which should be no surprise. https://t.co/jOLoFEFr1r
Grateful for a Privileged Flight on a Special Aircraft
What a privilege to fly this special aircraft this afternoon. Many thanks to Matt Jones and the team at @spitfiresdotcom for inviting me to join you today. https://t.co/Wfv0WW0GYH
Antalya Selected to Host Routes Europe 2027
Antalya was announced at ITB Berlin on March 4 2026 as the host city for Routes Europe 2027, the 20th edition of the continent‑wide aviation summit. The event will be staged at Fraport TAV Antalya Airport, which completed a €865 million expansion in April 2025, boosting...
Globalstar Posts Record 2025 Revenue, Targets Two SpaceX Launches
.@Globalstar: Record 2025 rev, hoping for 2 @SpaceX launches this yr, only certain of one. @Apple @MDA_space @RocketLab @ITU.https://t.co/SDDwWZZM9C https://t.co/Cr479jj1du
Interceptors Primarily Target Missiles, Not OWA Drones
It’s an important point to raise. Most of the interceptors folks are concerned with are likely used on ballistic missiles not OWA drones.
NORAD Intercepts 2 Russian Maritime Patrol Aircraft Near Alaska, Canada
NORAD detected and tracked two Russian Tu‑142 maritime patrol aircraft operating within the Alaskan and Canadian Air Defense Identification Zones on Wednesday. The command scrambled a mixed force of U.S. F‑35 Lightning II and F‑22 Raptors, KC‑135 tankers, an E‑3 AWACS,...