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
Vulcan, Ariane 64 Blast Off
On Thursday, United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket lifted off from Florida carrying the USSF‑87 payload to geosynchronous orbit, marking its second National Security Space Launch mission. The launch suffered a significant performance anomaly in one of its four solid rocket motors, prompting a post‑flight investigation. Meanwhile, Arianespace successfully debuted the Ariane 64 from French Guiana, delivering 32 Amazon Leo satellites and showcasing a payload capacity more than double that of the Ariane 6. The twin events highlighted both the challenges and advancements in the global launch market.
ULA Encounters New Issue Despite Earlier Fix
Interesting situation for ULA. Not great to see after the previous issue that we thought was fixed.
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Senate Cmrc approved the SAT Streamlining bill after RM Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Chr Ted Cruz (R-TX) reached agreement over "deemed granted" prvsn that originally meant FCC had 18 months to rule on a satellite appl or it wld be...
Germany’s Helsing, HENSOLDT Team up on Autonomous Systems for Euro CCA
Germany’s Helsing and HENSOLDT have announced a joint effort to equip Helsing’s CA‑1 autonomous aircraft with AI‑driven combat capabilities. HENSOLDT will integrate its radar, optronics, self‑protection and electromagnetic warfare sensors through its Multi‑Domain Operations Core software. The AI‑pilot, named Centaur,...
Vast Secures First ISS Private Astronaut
Vast just won its first private astronaut mission (PAM) to the ISS. Will be the 6th PAM. (Axiom's done 4 and got contract for the 5th last month.) https://t.co/wMfSkzsZTU NASA Admin Isaacman's own private astronaut missions, Inspiration4 and Polaris Dawn, didn't visit...
NASA Chooses Vast for First Non‑Axiom Private ISS Mission
NASA has selected Vast for a private astronaut mission to the ISS no earlier than mid-2027. This will be the sixth such private mission to the ISS but the first by a company other than Axiom Space. https://t.co/AXHjd7a0xH
NASA Selects Vast for Sixth Private Mission to Space Station
NASA has awarded Vast the contract for its sixth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, with a launch no earlier than summer 2027. The mission, slated for up to 14 days aboard the ISS, will be flown on...
Engine Profits Unexpectedly Fund the Airplane They Doubted
Experts: Boom will never be able to finance building an airplane and an engine. Ironic reality: The engine is so profitable it finances the airplane. (In all fairness, neither experts nor I saw this coming.)
Space Force, Aiming to Double in Size, Blows Past Recruiting Goal
The U.S. Space Force announced it plans to double its active‑duty Guardians from roughly 10,000 to 20,000 to meet expanding national‑security missions and counter threats from China and Russia. Chief Master Sergeant John Bentivegna reported the service is already at...
Overture Unveils Massive Dual‑layout Cabin Mockup
Overture has a unique cabin—larger than a 737 up front, about the size of a G650 at the back. Forward and aft cabins have different seating layouts. Team has finished the skeleton of a dimensionally-accurate mockup and will be adding walls...
Air Tahiti Nui Appoints Lionel Guérin as CEO to Lead New Strategic Transformation
Air Tahiti Nui announced Lionel Guérin as its new chief executive officer, effective February 11, 2026. Guérin, a former deputy CEO of Air France and founder of Airlinair, brings extensive airline restructuring experience to the Pacific carrier. The airline, which...
Saudi Arabia’s Aviation Diplomacy Takes Off as Future Aviation Forum Competes with Global Giants
Saudi Arabia’s Future Aviation Forum (FAF) returned to Riyadh, showcasing rapid aviation growth and Vision 2030 ambition. The 2024 edition logged more than 100 agreements worth $20 billion, positioning FAF alongside ICAO Assemblies and the Dubai Airshow. Passenger traffic rose 9.6% in...
Space as a Sanctions Workaround: Financial Engineering & Shadow Procurement Networks
Iran’s civil space program is now a conduit for evading UN sanctions, channeling billions through a shadow banking network to acquire dual‑use microelectronics. FinCEN estimates the covert financial system handles over $9 billion annually, laundering oil revenues via Hong Kong, UAE and...
Chief Science Advisor Urges Canada to Double Down on Quantum as Conservatives Question Advisor Role
Canada’s new Chief Science Advisor, Dr. Mona Nemer, told parliament that the country is among the world’s top five quantum research nations and called for a renewed, amplified investment in quantum technologies. She highlighted quantum’s potential to transform sectors such...
ORF Reports January Passenger Volume
Norfolk International Airport (ORF) released its January passenger traffic figures, reporting roughly 1.2 million enplanements—a 3% increase year‑over‑year and about 5% above the five‑year average. The growth was led by a resurgence in leisure travel to Florida and a modest rebound...
Lufthansa City Airlines Launches Frankfurt Base to Expand Short-Haul Network Across Europe
Lufthansa City Airlines opened a new operating base at Frankfurt Airport on February 9, launching initial flights to Berlin, Düsseldorf, Málaga, Manchester and Valencia. The carrier will add a second aircraft in March and plans to expand the Frankfurt network...
Vulcan Launch Anomaly Reported, Payload Still Delivered
ULA statement re anomaly on this morning's Vulcan launch. Payload reached its destination nonetheless. https://t.co/J8cN2YByhj
Calian Group Expands Defence and Space Footprint in Record First Quarter
Calian Group posted a record Q1 2026 revenue of $208 million, up 12% year‑over‑year, driven by recent acquisitions and organic defence growth. The company secured $171 million of new contracts, including a November 2025 deal to build four Ka/Q/V‑band RF gateway stations for a...
Southwest Keeps Viasat Wi‑Fi on Line‑Fitted Planes
Reports quoting financial services firm William Blair suggest that Viasat’s inflight connectivity system will remain in play on linefitted aircraft at Southwest, even as it brings Starlink to aged jets. RGN has sought confirmation from Southwest. https://t.co/48cTJCGB56
ULA Labels Vulcan SRB Issue a Significant Performance Anomaly
ULA's comment on the "observation" (now "significant performance anomaly") seen on one of the Vulcan SRBs on this morning's launch: https://t.co/VePOoE0Ne4
SpaceX Adds Southwest Airlines as Starlink Customer
Southwest Airlines announced it will integrate SpaceX’s Starlink Ku‑band LEO satellite inflight connectivity across its Boeing 737 fleet. The first retrofitted aircraft are slated for revenue service this summer, with a target of 300 aircraft completed by the end of...
Ariane 64 Launches 32 Amazon LEO Satellites From Guiana
First Ariane 64 heavy-lift rocket lifts off from Europe's Guiana Space Center with 32 Amazon Leo sats. Now wait about 1h29 mins for the start of deployment, which will take 25 minutes at 465 km. @Arianespace @Amazonleo https://t.co/NbkDvLrFjn
High-Revisit CubeSats Drive Shift From Raw Imagery to Actionable Insights in 2026
The 2026 Earth Observation market is rapidly shifting from costly, large satellites to high‑revisit CubeSat constellations that deliver real‑time, actionable insights. 3U and 6U nanosatellites now provide sub‑daily coverage for weather, agriculture and maritime logistics, enabled by falling launch costs...
Defying Doubters: Engine Assembly Begins Next Month
Experts said Boom wouldn’t be able to build our own engine and we were cooked. First engine assembly starts next month. So we’ll find out pretty soon… https://t.co/HUAcBJ5BFs
Behind the Flight: Essential Roles at UAS Test Sites
The FAA’s UAS test site program now includes nine locations across the United States, two of which opened in 2026, to validate critical drone technologies such as detect‑and‑avoid, BVLOS, and UTM. Test sites serve a dual purpose: they provide manufacturers...
India's Potential Record Defense Deal: 114 Rafales
India purchasing 114 Rafale jets. The biggest defense deal in India's history if it full goes through.
China’s New Maritime Combat Drone Poised for Global Success: Analysts
China unveiled the Wing‑Loong X maritime combat drone at the Singapore Airshow, marking its first regional display. The UAV, designed for surveillance and strike missions, builds on the proven Wing Loong family and targets buyers unable to afford Western systems....
Southwest Unfazed by Antenna Drag, Mirrors Ryanair
Southwest not bothered by antenna drag or passenger take-up numbers as per Ryanair's dismissal of Starlink? #avgeek
Lockheed Martin, Fujitsu Sign Initial Contract for SPY-7 Radar Power Supply Units for Japan’s ASEV
Lockheed Martin and Fujitsu signed a contract on Feb. 12 to supply the Power Supply Line Replaceable Unit for the SPY‑7 radar’s Subarray Suite on Japan’s Aegis System Equipped Vessels (ASEV). The PS LRU provides regulated power to the radar modules,...
New Hampshire Airmen Sharpen Strategic Deterrence in Readiness Exercise
The 157th Air Refueling Wing of the New Hampshire National Guard conducted a four‑day nuclear operational readiness exercise from Feb. 5‑8. The drill simulated strategic deterrence missions, testing the wing’s ability to generate and sustain aerial refueling for nuclear‑focused operations. Central to...
Taiwan Completes Integration Test of Jointly Developed Mighty Hornet IV Drone
Taiwan announced on February 6 that the National Chung‑shan Institute of Science and Technology and Kratos successfully completed a systems integration test of the Mighty Hornet IV drone, a Taiwan‑specific variant of the US‑made Firejet. The test proved the platform can carry a...
Vulcan Launch Shows Possible Solid Booster Nozzle Failure
🚨 Vulcan Problems: Today’s ULA Vulcan launch from SLC 41 seems to have had some sort of solid booster problem. Possibly a nozzle burning through. The only official word from ULA is that they’ve made an “observation”. The sparks are clearly visible in...
Animation Reveals Design of O’Hare International Airport Concourse D
Chicago released a two‑minute animation unveiling the $1.3 billion Concourse D, part of the ORDNext terminal redevelopment. The new concourse, designed by SOM, Ross Barney, Juan Gabriel Moreno Architects and Arup, will feature 19 flexible gates, skylit multi‑level spaces, lounges, retail and landscaped views of...
Soft Power and the Race to the Moon: Why Cislunar Norms Are the Next Hill to Hold
The United States is positioning cislunar space as the next geopolitical arena, leveraging NASA’s Artemis program and the Artemis Accords to set soft‑power norms. Cislunar real estate near the lunar south pole is scarce, and early standards for communications, navigation,...
Air Canada’s Choice of the A350-1000 Makes Perfect Sense in Various Ways
Air Canada has placed an order for eight Airbus A350‑1000 aircraft, with purchase rights for another eight, targeting deliveries between the second half of 2030 and 2032. The new jets will replace the airline’s aging 777‑300ER fleet, offering comparable three‑class...
The A-6’s Worst Day of the Vietnam War and the Story of the Two US Navy Intruders Shot Down by...
On August 21, 1967, VA‑196’s A‑6 Intruder squadron suffered its worst day of the Vietnam War when four aircraft attacked the Duc Noi railway yard under heavy clouds and intense SAM/AAA fire. Two planes were hit by surface‑to‑air missiles and three...
ABM Boosts LHR Accessibility
Heathrow has appointed ABM to run its assistance service for passengers with access needs across Terminals 2‑5, deploying a team of more than 1,600 staff. The contract leverages ABM’s proprietary, Disability Rights UK‑accredited training programmes and a technology‑enhanced service model. ABM will...
Alpha Unmanned & Parallel Flight Partnership Targets Long-Endurance Heavy-Lift UAV Operations Using Heavy Fuel
Alpha Unmanned Systems and Parallel Flight Technologies have teamed up to convert Parallel Flight’s Firefly Group 3 UAV to heavy‑fuel operation. The effort leverages Parallel Flight’s Parallel Hybrid Electric Multirotor (PHEM) architecture, aiming for long‑endurance, heavy‑lift missions in naval and expeditionary...
Air Canada’s Airbus A350 Order Signals Geopolitical Shift Away From Boeing as Trump Policies Reshape Global Aviation
Air Canada announced a firm order for eight Airbus A350‑1000 wide‑body jets, citing the aircraft’s 9,000‑nautical‑mile range and 25% lower fuel burn as key efficiency drivers. The purchase enables new nonstop routes to Southeast Asia, India and Australia. It arrives...
Proton Rocket Launches Elektro‑L5 Weather Satellite From Baikonur
Proton rocket lifts off from Baikonur, Kazakhstan, with the Elektro-L5 weather satellite. DETAILS, UPDATES: https://t.co/XRGzszk0qi https://t.co/3ZESECT8GH
Spain Becomes Fourth Country to Join Aero Excellence Initiative to Improve Supply Chain
Spain has become the fourth nation to join the European Aero Excellence International initiative, a collaborative program aimed at boosting aerospace supply‑chain resilience. The scheme, originally launched by France’s GIFAS in 2023 and expanded with Germany’s BDLI and the UK’s...
DJI Lands Game-Changing Drone Approval in Brazil
Brazil’s aviation regulator ANAC granted Design Authorization for DJI’s Matrice 3D series and Dock 2, clearing a major regulatory hurdle for beyond‑visual‑line‑of‑sight (BVLOS) operations. The approval validates the system‑level safety architecture, hardware redundancy and software design, allowing enterprises to bypass lengthy certification...
Mars to Table
NASA is back for seconds with a new food system design challenge.
![New Zealand and Dyess Fly Together in Arizona [Image 4 of 5]](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://d1ldvf68ux039x.cloudfront.net/thumbs/photos/2602/9518680/250w_q95.jpg)
New Zealand and Dyess Fly Together in Arizona [Image 4 of 5]
The U.S. Air Force 40th Airlift Squadron and the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s No. 40 Squadron flew their C‑130J Hercules aircraft together during a training sortie at the Advanced Tactics Aircrew Course near Fort Huachuca, Arizona, on August 21, 2025. The sortie was part...
![New Zealand and Dyess Fly Together in Arizona [Image 5 of 5]](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://d1ldvf68ux039x.cloudfront.net/thumbs/photos/2602/9518681/250w_q95.jpg)
New Zealand and Dyess Fly Together in Arizona [Image 5 of 5]
On August 21, 2025, a U.S. Air Force C‑130J Hercules of the 40th Airlift Squadron and a Royal New Zealand Air Force C‑130J of No. 40 Squadron landed together at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, after completing the Advanced Tactics Aircrew Course. The course, run...
Farewell to ZA004: 787's Final Flight Marks End of Era
Had a chance to see ZA004 off this morning from BFI on her final flight to retirement. This 787 has seen a thing or two. What a journey. https://t.co/tcL4rZlLKH
Uncoordinated Counter‑Drone Laser Closes El Paso Airspace
Confirming earlier reporting: Airspace was closed by the FAA near El Paso late Tuesday after CBP personnel launched a counter-drone laser weapon without full inter-agency integration, officials say. That weapon had recently been transferred temporarily by the Pentagon to DHS. Airspace...
ESA Will Engage Global Leaders at the Munich Security Conference 2026
The European Space Agency will attend the 62nd Munich Security Conference (MSC) from 13‑15 February 2026, with Director General Josef Aschbacher joining heads of state, industry CEOs and security experts. ESA aims to showcase how space systems underpin Europe’s competitiveness,...