Today's Aerospace Pulse
Icelandair to retire B757‑200 fleet by late 2026
Icelandair announced it will retire its Boeing 757‑200 aircraft in late 2026 as part of fleet modernization. In the same coverage cluster, Flexjet’s Irish subsidiary received regulatory approval to operate in the United States.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Eaton merges mobility business with Dana in $10B deal
Crossroads, Interrupted
A sudden conflict with Iran has forced the closure of Persian Gulf air traffic, curtailing more than 90% of flights for Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad. The three Gulf carriers—often called the ME3—operate the world’s busiest transit hub, moving 182 million passengers annually through Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi. The shutdown strands hundreds of thousands of travelers and underscores the fragility of a hub‑centric network. Analysts expect other airlines to scramble for the displaced traffic, reshaping global routing patterns.
Senate Bill Would Mandate APRT At Contract Towers
Senators Tim Sheehy and Jeff Merkley introduced bipartisan legislation requiring the FAA to equip more than 90 federal contract towers with Airborne Position Reference Tools (APRT). The Air Traffic Situational Awareness Enhancement Act mandates installation within a year and provides...
FACC Achieves Highest-Ever Annual Revenue, Significant EBIT Increase in 2025 Review
FACC reported record 2025 revenue of €984.4 million, an 11.3% increase over the prior year, while EBIT surged 49.4% to €42.3 million, lifting the margin to 4.3%. The gains stem from the CORE efficiency program and the newly operational Croatia plant, which...
NASA, JAXA to Cover HTV-X1 Spacecraft Departure From Space Station
NASA and Japan’s JAXA will broadcast the departure of the uncrewed HTV‑X1 cargo spacecraft from the International Space Station on March 6, 2026. The vehicle delivered roughly 12,000 lb of scientific experiments, supplies and hardware after launching on an H3 rocket from...
DXB Sees only 8‑12 Recovery Flights, Emirates Restarting
Handful of departures from DXB.... roughly 8–12 flights airborne or boarding right now, mostly recovery runs to Moscow, India and Europe while Emirates slowly restarts. https://dubaiairports.ae/flight-status?type=departures&from=2026-03-02
Amadeus Emerges as Suitor for Idemia PS, Deal Would Create Airport Biometrics Behemoth
Amadeus IT SA is in advanced talks to acquire Idemia Public Security for an estimated €2‑3 billion, a move that would combine the airline‑tech group’s travel‑focused biometric suite with Idemia’s law‑enforcement and border‑control capabilities. Idemia PS brings core biometric algorithm IP...
US Navy SPY-6 Approaches FRP with Raytheon Already Having “a Hot Production Line”
Raytheon says its SPY‑6 radar family is already operating on a hot production line and is poised to shift into full‑rate production once the U.S. Navy grants final approval. Low‑rate initial production is nearing completion after extensive testing across the...
Qatar Shoots Down Two Iranian Su-24 Fencer Attack Jets
On March 2, 2026 Qatar’s Ministry of Defense announced that its air and naval forces shot down two Iranian Su‑24 Fencer attack jets while intercepting seven ballistic missiles and five drones aimed at the peninsula. The engagement was executed without...
NASA Adds Mission to Artemis Lunar Program, Updates Architecture
NASA announced an accelerated Artemis schedule, adding a 2027 Artemis III mission and committing to at least one lunar surface landing each year. The agency will standardize the SLS‑Orion vehicle to a Block 1 configuration and test docking with commercial landers from...
Stargazing Into the Future of SSA
SpaceX unveiled Stargaze, a space situational awareness service that taps the star‑tracker cameras on its roughly 10,000 Starlink satellites to monitor LEO objects. The company claims the constellation can generate up to 30 million observations per day, delivering hundreds of detections...
Indian Rocket Startup Agnikul Completes Static Fire Test of Three-Engine Cluster
Indian private launch firm Agnikul released a 40‑second static‑fire video of its three‑engine cluster for the Agnibaan orbital rocket. The engines, fully 3D‑printed and driven by electric‑motor pumps, were calibrated to synchronize six pumps, six motors and six control algorithms....
Gulfstream G700 Receives India Certification
Gulfstream Aerospace secured certification from India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation for its G700 jet, clearing the way for deliveries within the country. The approval follows earlier certifications of the G600 and G500 models earlier in 2025, underscoring growing market...
Rocket Lab Completes In-Space Commissioning of Two Escapade Mars Orbiters
Rocket Lab has finished in‑space commissioning of the twin ESCAPADE Mars orbiters, now operating at Earth‑Sun Lagrange Point 2. The company will hand operational control to the University of California Berkeley Space Sciences Laboratory, which will conduct science activities before the...
New Space-Based Photovoltaics Industry Growth Driven by Commercial Aerospace, AI Power
Space‑based photovoltaics are poised for rapid expansion as commercial aerospace launches and AI‑driven data centers create new demand. Triple‑junction GaAs cells dominate today, but their reliance on scarce gallium, germanium and indium drives costs sky‑high. Industry leaders, especially in China,...
Geopolitical Scrutiny: The Strategic Implications of APT Satellite’s Chinese State Ownership
APT Satellite Holdings Limited is directly linked to China Satellite Communications Corp., a state‑owned subsidiary of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. This ownership places the commercial operator at the heart of the sovereign‑commercial nexus, raising concerns that Chinese...
Sweden Leads NATO Air Policing Over Iceland
Here in Iceland, where 4 the first time, Sweden has taken command of a NATO Air Policing deployment. 6 x Gripens, 100 personnel plus counter drone and fighter controllers to protect airspace. "Need to make sure we are ready to...
SpaceX Lunar Manufacturing Proposal Triggers Surge in APT Satellite Shares
On March 2, 2026, APT Satellite Holdings shares jumped more than 7% after reports that SpaceX is planning a permanent lunar manufacturing facility. The proposed moon‑based plant would use a multi‑kilometer electromagnetic catapult to launch satellites, potentially reducing launch costs...
Only 67% Full: Icelandair's 10 Emptiest US Routes Revealed
Icelandair carried 1.6 million round‑trip passengers between Europe and the United States in the 12 months to September 2025, a 7 % increase that outpaced overall market growth. Across its 15 US‑focused routes the airline posted an average load factor of 81.2 %, but...
SolidSail Mast Factory Starts Production of CFRP Masts for Wind Propulsion
SolidSail Mast Factory (SMAF) in Lanester, France, launched full‑scale production of carbon‑fiber‑reinforced polymer (CFRP) masts on 12 February 2026. The plant, a joint venture between Chantiers de l’Atlantique and five regional composite specialists, will fabricate masts up to 70 metres long, supporting sails...
Three USAF F-15E Strike Eagles Shot Down By Friendly Fire (Updated)
Three U.S. Air Force F‑15E Strike Eagles were lost over Kuwait in an apparent friendly‑fire incident during Operation Epic Fury. All six crew members ejected safely and were rescued. CENTCOM confirmed the jets were shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses,...
Lufthansa Unveils Airbus A380 in Striking 100th Anniversary Livery
Lufthansa has added an Airbus A380 to its centennial fleet, unveiling a bold blue livery featuring a 47‑meter crane motif and the dates 1926 | 2026. The aircraft was repainted over 34 days by 35 specialists at Shannon Airport, covering more than...
Teledyne FLIR Defense Signs Memorandum of Understanding with STORM Adapt Group at EnforceTac 2026
Teledyne FLIR Defense and Norway’s STORM Adapt Group signed a Memorandum of Understanding at EnforceTac 2026 to integrate FLIR’s SkyCarrier quadcopter and Black Recon micro‑UAS with STORM’s Rapid Adapt and Deploy System (RADS). The MoU creates a vehicle‑mounted, modular platform that...
March 2, 2004: Rosetta Launches
On March 2, 2004 the European Space Agency launched the Rosetta‑Philae mission from French Guiana to rendezvous with comet 67P/Churyumov‑Gerasimenko. The spacecraft spent a decade traveling, using three Earth and one Mars gravity‑assist flybys to reach its target. In August 2014 Rosetta entered orbit,...
Exclusive: Starpath Unveils New Ultra-Thin Space Solar Panels
Starpath Space introduced Starlight Air, an ultra‑thin space solar panel that weighs just 73 g per square meter and sells for about $15 per watt. The panel uses a nanometer‑scale crystalline photovoltaic layer printed on a fabric substrate, delivering the same...
CCC Awarded Contract to Supply RAST Systems to US NAWC
The Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) secured a four‑year contract with the U.S. Department of Defense to supply Recover Assist Securing and Traversing (RAST) systems to the Naval Air Warfare Centre. Curtiss‑Wright’s Mississauga plant will manufacture the equipment and provide field...
UK Civil Aviation Authority Outlines Electronic Conspicuity Plans for Uncrewed and Crewed Aircraft
The UK Civil Aviation Authority released a Technical Concept of Operations detailing electronic conspicuity (EC) requirements for integrating BVLOS unmanned aircraft into shared airspace. Uncrewed systems must broadcast a 978 MHz ADS‑B signal and carry ADS‑B IN receivers, while crewed aircraft face...
Austria Commissions Its First Military Sat
Austria has commissioned BEACONSAT, its first military‑operated satellite, slated for launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 in February 2027. The one‑year mission will monitor GNSS signals to detect jamming and spoofing, addressing growing navigation interference threats. The project is financed by a...
World Space Week 2025 Set Record With 50,000 Events in 102 Countries
World Space Week 2025 set a participation record with nearly 50,000 activities in 102 countries. The surge reflects a shift from a niche sector to a global priority, as educators, governments and industry rally to prepare the next generation for...
U.S. Space Force Pushes to Put Airborne Target Tracking Sensors in Orbit
The U.S. Space Force is advancing the Airborne Moving Target Indicator (AMTI) program to place space‑based sensors that can track aircraft, drones and missiles in orbit. Early prototype demonstrations have delivered detailed on‑orbit data, and the service is leveraging technology...
First Confirmed US One‑way Drone Strike on Iran Sharpens Pentagon UAV Expansion
The United States confirmed its first combat use of low‑cost, one‑way attack drones against Iranian targets during Operation Epic Fury. footage released by CENTCOM shows the drones deployed by Task Force Scorpion Strike alongside precision munitions. The Pentagon is accelerating a program...
Russian Forces Report Strikes by German HX-2 Drones
Ukrainian forces have begun fielding German‑made HX‑2 one‑way strike drones across multiple front‑line sectors, targeting Russian rear‑area support units such as repair brigades and road‑network crews. The HX‑2, introduced in late 2024, can travel up to 220 km/h and strike targets...
Space Force Rethinks Satellite Ground Station Strategy
The U.S. Space Force has halted the $1.4 billion Satellite Communications Augmentation Resource (SCAR) program and is drafting a new acquisition strategy that moves away from a cost‑plus, single‑source contract. The original BADGER phased‑array ground terminals, awarded to BlueHalo/AeroVironment, were placed...
The Ghost in the Orbit: How Hybrid Surveillance Reshapes Risks
With the New START treaty expiring in February 2026, the United States lost its primary mechanism for on‑site nuclear verification, prompting a shift toward space‑based monitoring. The Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit has launched the GHOST‑R program, a hybrid procurement effort...
3 F-15s Shot Down by Kuwait in Friendly Fire Incident, Pilots Safe, US Says
Three U.S. F‑15E Strike Eagle jets were shot down by Kuwait’s air defenses in a friendly‑fire incident on Sunday. All six aircrew ejected, were recovered and are in stable condition. The loss occurred while the aircraft supported Operation Epic Fury,...
Gala Time! The Chinese New Year Narratives of the Space Program
China’s Spring Festival Gala, Chunwan, remains the world’s most‑watched TV event, drawing over a billion simultaneous viewers and serving as a flagship soft‑power platform. Since 2009 the program has woven the nation’s space achievements into its performances, from the first...
Review: Becoming Martian
Scott Solomon’s *Becoming Martian* examines how long‑duration spaceflight could reshape human bodies and minds, from microgravity‑induced vision changes to speculative reproductive research. The book arrives as U.S. space policy pivots from Mars to lunar priorities, keeping its relevance despite shifting political...
Abu Dhabi Airport Restarts Flights, Sign of Slow Recovery
Abu Dhabi Airport... roughly ten flights are now open for booking at Zayed International Airport, including services to Moscow. it’s a sign that things are slowly getting back to normal after the chaos, but we’re not fully out of the...
EchoStar 10‑K Reveals Limited Non‑European Satellite Assets
Lots of useful detail in EchoStar 10-K on foreign assets transferred (see pp415-418). Outside Europe there's just SIRION-1 Australian filing plus licenses in Brazil, Chile & Mexico (but Brazil is specific to Lyra, Chile is non-exclusive, Mexico is GEO) https://t.co/mHJqFgkMzd
Thailand Adopts “Regulate First” Approach to AAM, Discusses Cooperation with Japan
Thailand’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAT) announced a “Regulate First” strategy for Advanced Air Mobility, committing to a full regulatory framework before commercial operations begin. The move follows a high‑level meeting with Japan’s Civil Aviation Bureau, where both sides examined airworthiness...
Swedish AF Chief Discusses NATO Air Policing in Iceland
Great to chat to Swedish AF chief Maj Gen Jonas 'Shaft' Wikman about Sweden's NATO Air Policing Mission in Iceland here at Keflavik AB. #avgeek https://t.co/KUhgWv1XcN
Iceland Showcases NATO Air Policing History on Wall
Cool display wall of previous NATO Air Policing missions and visitors here in Iceland. #avgeek https://t.co/qzXPxJ75NE
Three U.S. F-15 Fighter Jets Shot Down Mistakenly By Kuwait; All Strike Eagle Pilots Safe: CENTCOM
Three U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle jets were shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses in a friendly‑fire incident during Operation Epic Fury, the U.S. campaign against Iran. All six crew members ejected and survived, prompting Kuwait to acknowledge the...
Middle East Handles 13% of Global Flight Capacity
Iraq, Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, UAE & Jordan make up a staggering 13.2% of scheduled flying capacity globally and the sheer volume flowing through the ME underscores its centrality to human transportation. https://t.co/yvNyuskXyH
Starlink Hints at Extended Viasat/EchoStar 2GHz Licenses
Starlink is effectively confirming (or at least treating as a fait accompli) what I've been told previously, that the incumbent Viasat and EchoStar 2GHz licenses will be extended for a period of time beyond 2027
US: SFO to Close Runway 1 to Facilitate Improvement Works
San Francisco International Airport will close Runway 1 from March 30 to October 2 2026 for a six‑month repaving and taxiway upgrade. All arrivals and departures will be shifted to Runways 28 Left and 28 Right, while Runway 1 will serve as an auxiliary taxiway. The airport projects less...
All Six Aircrew Safely Ejected, Recovered and Stable
“All six aircrew ejected safely, have been safely recovered, and are in stable condition.” 🙏
PLA Rocket Force Poised to Overwhelm Regional Missile Defenses
While I share some concerns about key munitions being pulled out of INDOPACOM, folks should understand that even with full stocks of interceptors, the PLA Rocket Force is highly likely to be able to overwhelm U.S. and allied BMD in...
Heathrow Airport Chaos: 15 Middle East Jets Grounded As Airspace Remains Shut
Middle East airspace closures have left 15 Gulf carrier jets grounded at London Heathrow, the continent’s busiest hub for the region. Emirates and Etihad each have three aircraft on the tarmac, while Qatar Airways accounts for six, including multiple A380s....
Three F-15Es Downed by Friendly Fire in Kuwait
3 F-15Es shot down by friendly fire over Kuwait We continue to update our original story: https://t.co/bRgLdhX3sx
FlyOnE to Debut eVTOLs on Existing Route
FlyOnE will commence electric vertical take‑off and landing (eVTOL) operations on the busy Perth‑to‑Rottnest Island corridor, adding to its existing schedule of up to 25 daily legacy flights. The company has already completed a proof‑of‑concept with electric test flights and...