Know What's Happening in Aerospace
Know What's Happening in Aerospace
Artemis II crew prepares for historic lunar flyby
NASA’s four‑person Artemis II crew has passed the mission’s halfway point and is set for a five‑hour lunar flyby on April 6, skimming 4,000‑6,500 miles above the Moon’s far side to capture high‑resolution images of the Orientale basin and test Orion’s life‑support and navigation systems. The Space Launch System placed Orion into Earth orbit with 99.92% trajectory accuracy, and the crew will target a splashdown around April 10‑11.
Also developing:
MSC Air Cargo, the freighter arm of MSC Group, has taken delivery of its seventh Boeing 777‑200F at Boeing’s Everett facility. The new aircraft, registered in Italy, expands the carrier’s European AOC fleet to seven 777Fs and adds Rome Fiumicino as a gateway alongside Milan Malpensa. MSC says the addition strengthens long‑haul capacity amid sustained Europe‑Asia cargo demand, supporting time‑critical shipments such as pharmaceuticals and high‑tech goods. The carrier also operates four additional 777Fs through an ACMI deal with Atlas Air.
The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory and Ursa Major successfully flight‑tested the Affordable Rapid Missile Demonstrator (ARMD), reaching supersonic speed with the Draper liquid rocket engine. The test validated throttleable liquid propulsion and demonstrated that a complete missile system can...
Leaked internal documents from Russia’s Progress helicopter plant show that officials evaluated a production run of up to 48 Ka‑52M attack helicopters for an unnamed foreign client coded “156.” The paperwork details component sourcing, pricing, and a three‑stage financing scheme...
ALL.SPACE announced a strategic partnership with Viasat, securing Category 4 certification for its Hydra electronically steered terminal on the Viasat Global Xpress (GX) Ka‑band network. The certification enables full‑performance operation across Viasat’s high‑capacity steerable beams for on‑move, on‑pause, and halt scenarios....
Awery Aviation Software has become the first digital platform to embed IATA’s CO2 Connect for Cargo into its ERP system, giving users real‑time, flight‑specific emissions data within existing workflows. The calculator draws on operational inputs from over 100 airlines, delivering...
One Stop Systems (OSS) secured $10.5 million in new awards from the U.S. Navy and a prime defense contractor to supply rugged NVMe storage units for the P‑8A Poseidon aircraft. The contracts cover hot‑swappable, high‑capacity flash canisters designed for secure, rapid...
ÖAMTC Flugrettung and Airbus Helicopters have signed a long‑term framework contract covering the H135, H140 and H145 models. The deal builds on ÖAMTC’s role as launch customer for the H140, which will enter EMS service in 2028. ÖAMTC currently operates...
Air Transport Europe (ATE), a Slovak‑Czech HEMS operator, has signed a contract with Airbus Helicopters for one H135 and one H140. The H135 will join ATE’s existing fleet equipped with the Helionix digital avionics suite and a 4‑axis autopilot, while...
German HEMS provider DRF Luftrettung announced an order for four additional Airbus H145 helicopters, expanding its fleet to become one of the largest H145 operators in Europe. The new aircraft complement the existing 50‑plus H135 and H145 helicopters deployed across...
ADAC Luftrettung and Airbus Helicopters have signed a long‑term framework agreement covering the H135, H140 and H145 models. The deal expands ADAC's fleet, which already includes 60 Airbus helicopters operating from 37 stations and handling roughly 50,000 missions annually. The...
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) unveiled three AI‑focused initiatives aimed at modernising air cargo operations. The first is AI Subject Matter Expert (AI SME), a mobile and web app that lets users query IATA cargo and safety manuals in...
Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW) has secured a contract to convert an Airbus A330‑300 into a freighter for Hong Kong‑based lessor Asia Pacific Aviation Leasing Group (APAL), marking their first passenger‑to‑freighter (P2F) collaboration. The conversion will start in the second quarter of 2026...
Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket completed its first flawless propulsive landing in November 2025, cementing the company’s entry into the operational, partially reusable heavy‑lift market. The launch delivered NASA’s ESCAPADE probes and demonstrated a rapid test‑fix cycle after a failed first attempt...
Joby Aviation announced the first flight of its FAA‑conforming eVTOL, N547JX, to begin Type Inspection Authorization (TIA) testing. The aircraft, built to FAA‑approved designs, will later host FAA pilots at Joby’s Marina, California facility for rigorous certification flights. The launch...
Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s flagship carrier aligned with Vision 2030, has submitted an initial network for the 2026 summer season, outlining 15 prospective routes across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. The airline already operates daily non‑revenue flights to London...
The U.S. Navy resumed electromagnetic railgun testing at White Sands Missile Range in February 2025 after years of budget‑driven pauses. The three‑day trial, conducted by Naval Sea Systems Command and the Dahlgren Division, collected data on high‑velocity projectile launches. The...
Norwegian Air Force F‑35 fighters intercepted a Russian Ilyushin Il‑20M “Coot‑A” reconnaissance plane flying in international airspace off Finnmark on two consecutive days. The missions occurred while NATO conducted its Cold Response 2026 exercise, prompting Quick Reaction Alert sorties from Evenes...
iGA Istanbul Airport has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Airbus, becoming the aircraft maker’s first direct training partner among airport operators. The deal creates the iGA Academy, a dedicated training and development centre that will deliver regional programmes blending...
NASA’s ESCAPADE mission has activated its twin science instruments to study how the solar wind stripped Mars of its atmosphere, turning a once‑wet world into a barren desert. Launched on 13 Nov 2025, the dual‑orbiter pair is the first to operate together...
SunExpress unveiled a Crystal Palace‑themed Boeing 737 MAX 8, dubbed “The Eagle,” at London Gatwick, with the livery selected by 87 percent of fan votes. The aircraft joins SunExpress’s network as the airline prepares to operate from twelve UK and Irish airports by...
China’s premier Li Qiang has elevated satellite broadband to a national priority, placing it alongside semiconductors and cloud‑computing in the government work report. The National Development and Reform Commission will treat satellite Internet as a "large‑scale major project," unlocking hundreds...
Air India launched domestic in‑flight Wi‑Fi in January 2025, positioning itself as a tech‑forward carrier. A year later, the article questions whether the service truly adds value for business travelers. It argues that the enforced disconnection of a flight provides a...
PTC secures an aerospace-grade titanium ingot order for ISRO and scales VAR and PAM capability. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/03/aerospace-grade-titanium-ingot-order.html
The FAA withdrew a 2023 proposal that would have forced commercial launch providers to remove upper‑stage rocket debris within 25 years, after industry pushback over cost and authority concerns. The rule aimed to curb a growing orbital junk problem that...
Malaysia Airlines has extended the temporary suspension of its Doha flights until 20 March 2026 due to continued security developments in the region. The route was initially suspended from 28 Feb due to airspace closures. The airline said it is...
Here’s a peek at the recovery vessel. She’s not especially yar, but is very wide of beam, with clean spaces and, definitely, ship shape and in Bristol fashion https://t.co/pP9vklQCLt
The article revisits alternative‑propulsion aircraft, contrasting serial and parallel hybrid concepts. It argues that serial hybrids increase both production and operating costs without delivering meaningful efficiency gains. By highlighting that aircraft lack the regenerative‑braking cycles that make automotive hybrids valuable,...
Saw this ad on the Metro this morning and thought for a second that Relativity Space had made a very sharp pivot. https://t.co/MWdZhHXmrq
This does get to the question of what is a “lunar base”. Is one CLPS lander the first element of a lunar base? Two, near each other? Do they have to survive the lunar night??
The United States faces renewed munitions shortfalls after intensive use in Iran, Ukraine and other theaters, prompting officials to stress that stockpile depth alone will not ensure resilience. Recent Pentagon initiatives, including the 2025 Munitions Acceleration Council and $25 billion FY‑2026...
D.C. Memo: In an Unusual Move, @FCC Chairman @BrendanCarrFCC Drops the Package at @Amazon’s Front Door; Carr reacted negatively to Amazon’s attack on @SpaceX’s effort to build a massive data center satellite constellation in low Earth orbit https://t.co/HSMxGLeUuw
The narrative on $FTAI is starting to change - Leading MRO franchise for CFM56 engines - Transforming into a capital-light, high-visibility model - Yet still valued like a cyclical lessor - Perception began to shift in Q4 - Time to take a closer look Pitch by...
U.S. airlines largely skip premium‑economy on domestic flights because the class is tied to wide‑body, long‑haul aircraft and retrofitting costs run into millions. Instead they sell upgraded‑economy products like Comfort+, Economy Plus, and Main Cabin Extra that add legroom with minimal...
New on the @AeroSociety YouTube channel -'Highlights from the RAeS Commercial Aviation Summit 2026' #avgeek https://t.co/KpdnfYbYlA
Videos from Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces, SSO, and GUR’s Prymary unit of FP-2 and other UAS middle strikes on 64N6E, 48a6-K1 Podlet, Sopka-2, P-18 Terek, RSP-6 M2, and Kasta-2 radar; Geran ground relay; Tor-M2, S-300V, ammunition depots, and other targets....
Aerowash has been awarded a multi‑year leasing contract by International Airlines Group to provide aircraft‑washing robots for British Airways at London Heathrow. The deal follows a competitive tender and will see several automated washers deployed across BA’s Heathrow operations. CEO...
Embention has integrated its Veronte Autopilot 1x with Gotonomi SATCOM terminals, creating a plug‑and‑play BVLOS solution that leverages Viasat’s L‑Band satellite network. The new hardware version 4.12 adds a native Ethernet port, removing RS485‑to‑Ethernet converters and reducing UAV weight. VeronteLink...
Air New Zealand will cancel over 1,100 flights by early May 2026, affecting roughly 40,000 passengers, as soaring jet‑fuel prices strain its finances. The price surge stems from geopolitical tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, which have disrupted global oil supply...
Joby Aviation has begun flight testing its first FAA‑conforming eVTOL, N547JX, marking a critical step toward Type Inspection Authorization and eventual type certification. The aircraft meets FAA‑approved design standards and will undergo final TIA tests at Joby’s Marina, California facility...
Honeywell Aerospace secured a U.S. Air Force prototype contract to design a propulsion system for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) using its new SkyShot 1600 engine. The SkyShot 1600 can operate as a turbojet or turbofan, delivering 800‑2,800 pounds of...
Airport Coordination Limited (ACL) announced it will not penalize airlines for cancellations caused by the Iran‑related war and will provide slot relief for up to six weeks after hostilities cease. The conflict has already forced the cancellation of more than...
Loft Orbital, a San Francisco‑based space startup, announced plans to launch an AI‑processing satellite constellation later this year. The fleet will run a lightweight, low‑power AI model directly on board, sidestepping the energy demands of large terrestrial models. By analyzing...
Robinson’s R66 Turbinetruck is an autonomous cargo helicopter that replaces the traditional cockpit with clamshell doors, leveraging Sikorsky’s MATRIX autonomy suite. Powered by a single Rolls‑Royce RR300 engine, it weighs 2,900 lb gross and can carry up to 1,200 lb of payload,...
U.S. Central Command released video showing airstrikes that set fire to an Iranian Lockheed C-130 Hercules, a P-3F Orion maritime patrol aircraft, and an Ilyushin Il-76 freighter. The footage, posted on X, confirms the destruction of several legacy American-made planes...
Breeze Airways announced the termination of nine routes across its network, including under‑performing services from Manchester to Orlando, Tampa to Orange County, and several Westchester County connections. The airline will introduce a single new route, offering twice‑weekly flights between Raleigh‑Durham...
Delta TechOps announced it is now licensed to maintain both CFM LEAP‑1A and LEAP‑1B engines, becoming the only North American carrier with full LEAP MRO capability. The certification covers the A320neo and 737 MAX families, the world’s best‑selling narrow‑body aircraft. Delta recently...
Taiwan's government agency announced that Far Eastern Air Transport's McDonnell Douglas MD‑83 will be auctioned, marking the third attempt to sell the aircraft after the carrier’s bankruptcy and legal entanglements. The narrow‑body jet, grounded since 2025, is being offered to...
Building a circular economy in space: European Space Agency studies pave the way “orbit refurbishment, manufacturing, and recycling are not just technological experiments but are viable options to form the foundation of a future circular economy in space" https://t.co/Zc2mH5u3fB
The Tenkoh-2 satellite was deployed at 0934 UTC Mar 11 from the HTV-X1 cargo ship, which left the ISS on Mar 6
SpaceX's massive redeployment of its higher orbit (~550 km) Starlink sats to a lower (~480 km) orbital shell continues. 652 sats have completed orbit lowering while 972 are currently on the way down https://t.co/BFtdccOGvs
