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
NASA Releases Report on Starliner Crewed Flight Test Investigation
NASA released the final investigation report on Boeing's CST‑100 Starliner crewed flight test, declaring the mission a Type A mishap. The test, launched on June 5 2024, was extended to 93 days after propulsion anomalies and ultimately returned without the crew, who later flew back on SpaceX’s Crew‑9. The investigation identified a mix of hardware failures, qualification gaps, leadership missteps, and cultural breakdowns. NASA and Boeing will now implement corrective actions before the next Starliner flight.
ADS‑B: Essential Real‑Time Safety Standard for All Aircraft
ADS-B is a critical aviation safety technology, which allows aircraft to broadcast their location and trajectory in realtime and see other aircraft in realtime on a map. This is essential safety technology, table stakes for all aircraft.
SpaceX and Blue Origin Abruptly Shift Priorities Amid US Golden Dome Push
SpaceX and Blue Origin have abruptly redirected their long‑term goals from Mars and sub‑orbital tourism to lunar development. SpaceX announced it will swap its planned Martian city for a moon settlement, while Blue Origin paused New Shepard flights to concentrate...
SpaceX and Blue Origin Abruptly Shift Priorities Amid US Golden Dome Push
SpaceX and Blue Origin have abruptly shifted focus from Mars and sub‑orbital tourism to lunar development, aligning with the Pentagon’s Golden Dome missile‑shield program. SpaceX announced plans for a moon city and is eyeing a potential $2 billion contract to launch...
BAE Systems Signs Framework Deal for Logistics Drone Expansion
BAE Systems FalconWorks and SURVICE Engineering have signed a framework agreement to co‑develop uncrewed air system technologies, extending the partnership that began with the T‑150 logistics drone (fielded as the TRV‑150). The deal broadens collaboration into small and tactical UAS...
SLS Core Stage Fully Fueled, Leak‑Free Progress
The SLS Core Stage is 100% full with liquid hydrogen, reaching that step without the leaks experienced in the first Wet Dress Rehearsal. Core stage LOX also full. Upper stage in progress. https://t.co/l57ViNyv7v https://t.co/osaGFUDs2r
January U.S. Travel Agency Air Ticket Sales Top $10 Billion
U.S. travel‑agency air ticket sales reached over $10 billion in January 2026, a first since ARC began tracking. The figure represents a 7 % year‑over‑year increase and a 39 % month‑over‑month surge. Passenger trips rose to 28.2 million, with domestic travel up 4 % and...
GAMA Results Positive for Businesss Jets in 2025
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) reported that its 2025 year‑end data showed a robust rebound in the business jet segment, with 300 deliveries in the fourth quarter—up 37 aircraft from the same period in 2024. Higher billings were driven...
At Air France-KLM, the Onus Is on KLM to Do Better
Air France‑KLM posted a €1.754 billion FY25 net profit, with Air France delivering a 6.7% operating margin while KLM lagged at 3.2%. The Back on Track cost‑reduction program saved €450 million, yet KLM’s expenses rose faster than revenues, pressured by higher Schiphol...
NASA Drops Surprise Starliner Update During Today's WDR
Ok, random… but amidst today’s WDR, NASA will give an update on Starliner 👀 what the heck?! That’s out of the blue 🤔 https://t.co/9E8Dzo770R
Magdrive’s Plasma Thruster Proves Its Mettle in First Orbital Test
Magdrive’s Rogue plasma thruster completed its first orbital firing test, demonstrating that a sliver of copper or aluminum can serve as propellant. The 3‑kg unit stores up to 10 kJ in commercial supercapacitors and discharges up to 200 W to create plasma...
NASA to Provide Starliner Crew Flight Test Review Findings Today
NASA will hold a live news conference at 2 p.m. EST on Thursday, Feb 19, 2026, to release the investigation findings from Boeing’s 2024 Starliner crewed test flight to the International Space Station. The briefing, streamed on NASA’s YouTube channel, will feature Administrator...
'Moon‑mentous' Moments Await at Florida’s Kennedy Space Center
Visitors to Florida’s Kennedy Space Center in February and March 2026 can see NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket on Launch Complex 39B, the vehicle slated for Artemis II. Artemis II will be the first crewed flight of the SLS and Orion,...
Kratos Secures Contract to Support Hypersonic Materials Evaluation
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions has secured a U.S. Department of Defense contract from the Joint Hypersonics Transition Office to support testing and evaluation of thermal‑protection systems for hypersonic vehicles. The agreement tasks Kratos with analyzing mission scenarios, creating standard...
Indra Group and ELT Group Sign Multi-Domain Defence Framework
Indra Group and Italy’s ELT Group have signed a strategic framework agreement to cooperate across land systems, space technologies and uncrewed aerial vehicles. The partnership merges Indra’s multi‑domain integration, radar, space and cyber expertise with ELT’s electromagnetic spectrum operations capabilities....
NASA's Award-Winning Camera Reveals Invisible Shock Waves
Award-Winning NASA Camera Revolutionizes How We See the Invisible https://t.co/4l8gHwzgAN 4 Min Read Award-Winning NASA Camera Revolutionizes How We See the Invisible A shock wave interacting with a thin layer of fluid at Mach 10 in a … https://t.co/upxwqHYGvJ
FAA, EASA Qualify Boeing 777-9 Flight Simulator
The FAA and EASA have issued initial qualification certificates for the Boeing 777‑9 flight simulator, a joint effort by Boeing and CAE. The simulator, housed at Boeing's Gatwick training campus, will now be used by regulators to validate training courseware before...
Engine Problems for Japan’s Lunar Lander Company Ispace
Japanese lunar lander firm ispace announced delays in its third mission after encountering development problems with the VoidRunner engine, a joint effort with Agile Space Industries. The engine replacement forced redesigns, pushing the NASA‑backed CLPS mission from 2026 to 2027....
Archer Chooses Bristol as Its UK Engineering Hub
Archer announced that Bristol will host its new UK Engineering Hub, a centre designed to accelerate both commercial eVTOL and defence programmes. The company has already received hundreds of applications and begun hiring engineers to tap the city’s deep aerospace...
Crystals Grown in Space
NASA released an image of lysozyme protein crystals cultivated aboard the International Space Station using Redwire’s PIL-BOX hardware. The experiment is part of a broader study examining how microgravity influences crystal formation across various compounds. Lysozyme, a common immune protein,...
The Space Company in the Grey Zone: How TEC’s Network Blurs Europe’s Sanctions Lines
The Exploration Company (TEC) is building the reusable Nyx capsule while its CEO Hélène Huby chairs the Karman Project, a Berlin‑based fellowship that brings together European space actors and Russian‑linked researchers. The network includes participants from sanctioned entities such as...
MTorres, Airbus Enable Next-Gen Composites via Thin-Ply AFP
MTorres has redesigned its automated fiber placement (AFP) heads to reliably handle ultra‑thin, low‑weight composite tapes, addressing twisting, wrinkling and misalignment issues. The company also upgraded its TorFiber CAM software—integrated with Dassault Systemes’ CATIA—to generate closed‑geometry and self‑intersecting tow paths automatically....
Airbus Posts Record Year — but Washington Still Prefers the Boeing 'Home' Team
Airbus announced a record 2025, delivering 793 commercial jets, boosting revenue 6% to €73.4 bn and posting €7.1 bn adjusted operating profit. The company closed the year with a €619 bn order book and a backlog of 8,754 aircraft, underscoring robust demand. However,...
High-Precision Combustion Analysis & DAQ Solutions for UAV Engines
DC Inc. has joined Unmanned Systems Technology’s supplier network, offering its Plex PCA‑2000Plus combustion analysis and data‑acquisition system for UAV internal‑combustion and hybrid engines. The portable, IP67‑rated unit delivers cycle‑by‑cycle, per‑cylinder data across up to 16 high‑speed analog channels and integrates...
Space Umbrella Project Maps Earth's Magnetic Shield
Map the Earth’s Magnetic Shield with the Space Umbrella Project https://t.co/aiHqSahTBZ 2 min read Map the Earth’s Magnetic Shield with the Space Umbrella Project A stream of charged particles known as the solar wind flows from the Sun toward Earth. … https://t.co/IJcDr37NCK
Navy Seeks New Anti-Radar Missile Compatible with F-18, F-35 Aircraft
The U.S. Navy issued a Sources‑Sought notice for the Advanced Emission Suppression Missile (AESM), a next‑generation anti‑radiation weapon with longer range than the AGM‑88 HARM. The missile must be compatible with existing F‑18, EA‑18G and F‑35 platforms and be fielded...
Airbus Space Rebounds 16% Revenue, Eyes Merger
.@AirbusSpace, after annus horribilis in 2024, reports 16% increase in revenue and return to profitability in 2025. Parent @Airbus says preparations for space merger with @Thales_Alenia_S @LDO_Space continue. @defis_eu @esa @EutelsatGroup. https://t.co/hqR8FTeOcS https://t.co/R22dQJ3mJk
Ovzon Reports Record 2025 Results Driven by NATO and Defense Breakthroughs
Ovzon AB posted record 2025 results, with EBITDA climbing to over 290 MSEK and a 42% margin in Q4, driven by the full‑scale launch of its Ovzon 3 satellite. The company secured a 240 MSEK NATO contract and a 58 MSEK supplemental order from...
GomSpace Achieves Record Q4 Performance and Profitable Full-Year 2025 Growth
GomSpace Group AB reported record fourth‑quarter revenue of 145.6 million SEK, a 75% year‑over‑year jump, and delivered its first full‑year of profitable growth in 2025. Total 2025 revenue rose 72% to 441.8 million SEK, while adjusted EBITDA reached 17.5 million SEK and EBIT turned positive at...
India Approves a $1.1 Billion Deal with Russia for 288 S-400 Missiles
India’s Defence Acquisition Council has approved a $1.1 billion purchase of 288 Russian S‑400 missiles, comprising 120 short‑range and 168 long‑range interceptors. The order fast‑tracks replenishment after heavy missile expenditure during the 2025 air clash with Pakistan. The missiles will augment...
Press Release: Sun PhuQuoc Airways Orders up to 40 Boeing 787s
Sun PhuQuoc Airways, a Vietnam‑based carrier owned by Sun Group, announced an order for up to 40 Boeing 787‑9 Dreamliners, the largest widebody purchase in the country’s history. The aircraft will form the core of the airline’s long‑range fleet, linking...
Cellphone‑sized Lab Device Set to Revolutionize NASA Research
Small But Mighty Lab Device Could Transform NASA Research https://t.co/L2sIZEY89N The International Space Station orbits above the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Portugal. A small but mighty piece of lab equipment, about the size of a cellphone, has … https://t.co/ebhTde8Kon
India-France to Set up National Centre of Excellence (NCoE) in Kanpur
India and France announced a joint National Centre of Excellence (NCoE) in Kanpur to deliver advanced aeronautics and defence skill training. The centre will operate under the PM‑SETU scheme, which earmarks Rs 60,000 crore to modernise 1,000 ITIs across India. It will...
American Doubles Down on CFM; P&W Hammered
American Airlines announced it will power its expanding Airbus A321neo fleet with CFM International’s LEAP‑1A engines, extending a partnership that began two years ago. The deal includes long‑term maintenance and support services for the engines throughout their service life. By...
Feb. 19, 1994: Clementine Enters Lunar Orbit
Clementine was launched in January 1994 on a 22‑month, under‑$80 million development cycle and became the United States' first spacecraft to orbit the Moon in over two decades. During its 71‑day lunar phase the probe transmitted 1.6 million images, mapped the entire...
Webb Maps Uranus's Mysterious Upper Atmosphere
An international team led by Paola Tiranti used JWST’s NIRSpec to produce the first three‑dimensional map of Uranus’s upper atmosphere, extending to 5,000 km above the cloud tops. The observations reveal temperature peaks of about 426 K between 3,000 and 4,000 km and...
US Navy to Deploy UAVs with Standard Munitions in Long-Range Strikes
The U.S. Navy’s Runway Independent Maritime & Expeditionary Strike (RIMES) program is seeking unmanned aerial vehicles capable of launching standard 1,000‑lb class munitions from ships or austere shore sites. The Department of Defense’s Defense Innovation Unit has issued a solicitation,...
HTV‑X1 Leaves ISS for Three‑Month Free‑Flight Experiments
HTV-X1 will depart the ISS on Mar 6, 12:05 pm EST (Mar 7, 2:05 am JST) and then spend 3 months in free flight conducting several experiments as described in this JAXA press release.
Small But Mighty Lab Device Could Transform NASA Research
NASA has delivered a cellphone‑sized microplate reader to the International Space Station aboard SpaceX Crew‑12, marking the first use of off‑the‑shelf lab equipment in low‑Earth orbit. The device will perform in‑situ biochemical assays, starting with interleukin‑6 measurements for the MABL‑B...
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Alloyed Ltd secured a £1 million grant from the UK ATI Programme to fast‑track the development of ABD®‑1000AM®, a nickel‑based superalloy engineered for laser powder‑bed fusion additive manufacturing. The project, run with ITP Aero and Cranfield University, aims to produce 3D‑printed jet‑engine...
Lockheed Martin to Provide C-130J Training Devices and Upgrades to RAAF
Lockheed Martin has won a contract to supply the Royal Australian Air Force with a suite of C‑130J training devices, including two Weapon Systems Trainers, a Loadmaster Part‑Task Trainer, an Enhanced Integrated Cockpit Systems Trainer, and upgrades to existing virtual...
US Chamber Fighting For Licensing, ITAR Reform in 2026
The US Chamber of Commerce’s Space Leadership Council secured a key win in its first year by helping embed spaceports in the One Big Beautiful Bill, unlocking municipal‑bond financing and contributing to a $10 billion NASA budget increase. The council also...
Pakistan’s GIDS Begins Promoting SMASH Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile for Export
Pakistan’s Global Industrial and Defence Solutions (GIDS) unveiled the SMASH hypersonic anti‑ship ballistic missile (ASBM) at the 2026 World Defense Show in Riyadh. The system, derived from the army’s Fatah‑2 600 mm guided rocket, offers a 290 km range and an active...
Delta Pilot Reports Attempted Cockpit Breach, Passenger Restrained—But Airline Claims It Never Happened
Delta Air Lines Flight 2557 from Houston to Atlanta reported a passenger attempting to breach the cockpit shortly after take‑off, prompting the captain to alert air‑traffic control. The Boeing 717 returned to Houston, where the individual was restrained and handed over...
Exercise Hyperion Storm Validates RAF Spec Ops Readiness
Exercise Hyperion Storm, a two‑week drill at RAF Leeming in January 2026, confirmed the Royal Air Force Special Operations Air Task Group’s (SOATG) readiness to lead NATO’s Allied Reaction Force Special Operations Component from July 2026. The exercise tested more...
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions: Additive Manufacturing Powers the Future of Defense and Space
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions is accelerating its defense and space programs by investing heavily in additive manufacturing, highlighted by the acquisition of a Velo3D Sapphire metal 3D printer and the launch of a CAMM materials‑characterization program. The company uses...
Welcome to AirInsight — Take a Test Flight
AirInsight launches as a subscription‑based platform delivering daily, data‑driven aviation analysis for industry professionals. The service combines veteran analysts' insights with a library of live Power BI dashboards covering aircraft deliveries, OEM performance, and airline schedules. For a $1, seven‑day trial...
Embraer and Mahindra Eye India MRO Hub if C-390 Wins IAF Contract
Embraer and India’s Mahindra Group announced a joint plan to establish a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility for the C‑390 Millennium, contingent on the aircraft winning the Indian Air Force’s Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) contract. The two firms have...
KSAT Prepares Hyperion in Orbit Relay Test for Satellite Data
KSAT is moving its HYPER concept from design to an on‑orbit demonstration with the Hyperion satellites, which will act as space‑based relays to shorten data latency for customer spacecraft. Announced at the SmallSat Symposium, the mission will validate S‑band telemetry...
Airbus Taps Synspective SAR Radar Network for Expanded Earth Imaging
Airbus Defence and Space has signed a framework agreement with Japan’s SAR specialist Synspective to integrate its satellite constellation into Airbus’s existing radar portfolio. The combined fleet, including TerraSAR‑X, TanDEM‑X and PAZ, will improve revisit times and expand coverage, especially...