Know What's Happening in Aerospace
Know What's Happening in Aerospace
China tests 7.5‑tonne hydrogen‑turboprop cargo plane
China’s Aero Engine Corporation flew a 7.5‑tonne unmanned cargo aircraft powered by a 1‑megawatt hydrogen turboprop for 16 minutes, covering 36 km at 220 km/h and 300 m altitude. The test demonstrates the engine’s reliability and the country’s claim of a fully domestic hydrogen‑engine supply chain.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that Operation Epic Fury has severely damaged Iran’s military capability, claiming the Iranian Air Force is eliminated and 20 Navy vessels—including a frigate—were destroyed in international waters. The Pentagon pledged to intensify pressure on Tehran by deploying additional forces, equipment, and ammunition. This statement marks a shift toward a broader, sustained campaign against Iran’s ability to threaten US bases and regional allies. The claims, if verified, represent a significant escalation in the ongoing US‑Iran confrontation.
Blue Skies Space’s privately owned telescope Mauve has achieved its first‑light observation, capturing a five‑second ultraviolet exposure of the bright star eta Ursae Majoris. Although its 5‑inch mirror is far smaller than Hubble’s, the space‑based platform delivers clarity beyond any ground‑based instrument....
Canadian astronaut Jenni Gibbons has been appointed Capsule Communicator (Capcom) for NASA’s Artemis II mission, the first crewed lunar flight in over five decades. As the sole voice from Mission Control to the four‑person crew, she will translate complex flight‑control data...
Mutable Tactics, a British AI startup, secured $2.1 million in pre‑seed funding to build software that lets swarms of military drones operate autonomously when satellite navigation and communications are unavailable. The round was led by Seraphim Space, with participation from the...
RMT Global Partners introduced the Collapsible ATLAS Drawer, a lightweight galley drawer that folds flat when not in use. Designed with input from caterers and cabin crews, the drawer features snap‑open and quick‑collapse mechanisms that speed loading and reduce handling...
The Iran‑Israel conflict has effectively shut down the airspace over the Persian Gulf, halting normal operations for the Gulf’s three largest carriers—Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad. Only a minimal trickle of repatriation flights to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha is...
In this episode, host explores the growing problem of orbital debris and its potential as a springboard for asteroid mining. Joel Sercel, CEO and founder of TransAstra, explains how his company’s capture technology can safely remove defunct satellites and repurpose...
Former investment banker Raphael Roettgen revived a space‑focused SPAC in early 2026 after a four‑year hiatus, raising about $230 million in trust to seek a merger with a space‑related company. The new vehicle, Space Asset Acquisition Corp., reflects a broader revival...
Global Industrial & Defence Solutions (GIDS) showcased its expanded munitions and drone lineup at the 2026 World Defense Show in Riyadh, signalling a focused push into Saudi Arabia’s booming defence market. CEO Asad Kamal emphasized the company’s willingness to transfer...
The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) outlined a strategic plan to manage rapid air‑traffic growth in the Asia‑Pacific region. CAAS provides navigation services over 670,000 km², with 400 controllers handling 676,000 movements annually, including 374,000 at Changi Airport in 2025—a...
GomSpace announced a €7.6 million contract with Rome‑based VirtuaLabs to deliver a satellite cluster for space‑based RF environment monitoring. The partnership blends GomSpace’s modular satellite platforms with VirtuaLabs’ electronic‑warfare payload expertise, targeting institutional‑grade ISR capabilities. Delivery of the fully integrated cluster...
In this episode, host Ashley Vance talks with Will Wilson, co‑founder of Antithesis, about the chronic unreliability of software and why traditional example‑based testing fails. Wilson explains how Antithesis uses deterministic simulations and property‑based (autonomous) testing to expose unknown‑unknown bugs...
Sony will exhibit at Amsterdam Drone Week 2026, showcasing its imaging and sensor portfolio for commercial drones. The lineup includes the full‑frame ILX‑LR1 camera, Alpha series cameras, the FCB‑ER9500 4K/60 block camera, and the AS‑DT1 miniature LiDAR sensor. Sony also...
Gilat Satellite Networks announced a multi‑million‑dollar order from a leading in‑flight connectivity integrator for its AeroStream Ka‑band wideband amplifiers. The hardware, including 60 W Ka‑band block upconverters, will be delivered over the next 24 months to equip commercial aircraft. Gilat notes...
Russia’s Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31, the only pad used for crewed Soyuz flights, was out of service after a Nov 27, 2025 launch damaged its service cabin and infrastructure. Roscosmos announced on March 3 that a 150‑person team completed extensive repairs, replacing 2,350 square meters...
The UK Ministry of Defence is offering a two‑day Air Safety Management System Overview (ASMsO) course to equip military personnel with the knowledge to develop and manage air safety management systems. The blended program covers the 16 functional elements of...
The European Space Agency (ESA) has issued a call for tenders to conduct two Pre‑Phase A studies assessing the feasibility of a European‑led, modular space station in low‑Earth orbit. The studies will examine architecture, utilization, and technology needs, and will explore...
Telespazio Brasil, a Leonardo‑Thales joint venture, has rolled out VELOCE, a low‑Earth‑orbit mobile satellite communications system for Brazil’s Institutional Security Office. The solution offers high‑speed, low‑latency voice and data links across the entire country, including the remote Amazon region where...
SkySelect announced a $9 million funding round to scale its AI‑powered aviation procurement platform, aiming to alleviate the $11 billion supply‑chain crisis highlighted by IATA. Airlines spend $60 billion annually on parts, yet manual processes generate $50 billion in excess inventory and grounding delays....
On February 27 the Indian Air Force staged Exercise Vayushakti‑26 at Pokhran, field‑testing more than 130 aircraft across fighter, transport, and helicopter fleets. President Droupadi Murmu attended and flew in an indigenously built HAL Prachand light combat helicopter. The drill featured...
SpaceX Crew 11’s emergency return in January 2026 marked the first crew rescue from orbit, proving that a rapid LEO evacuation is possible. The rescue highlighted a stark gap: no reliable, on‑demand capability exists for commercial missions beyond low Earth orbit. As...
The Heritage Foundation’s 2026 Index of US Military Strength gave the U.S. Space Force a marginal overall grade, citing severe shortfalls in resources, capacity, and readiness for contested space operations. The report highlights deficiencies in communications, weather forecasting, space domain...
American Airlines issued an internal memo, signed by its COO and chief commercial officer, accusing United Airlines of flooding Chicago O’Hare with flights to manipulate gate allocations under a unique lease provision. The memo’s omission of CEO Robert Isom raises...
Blue Origin filed an FCC application for a hybrid LEO‑MEO broadband system called TeraWave, proposing 5,280 low‑Earth orbit satellites operating in Q‑ and V‑bands and 128 medium‑Earth orbit satellites linked by lasers. The architecture promises point‑to‑point links delivering up to...
El Al Israel Airlines will restart inbound services on 4 March 2026, operating a single flight per hour as Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport reopens. The limited schedule focuses on repatriating Israelis stranded in 22 European, Asian and U.S. locations, while outbound sales are...
Well dang. Bound to happen. Enterprise’s warp nacelle pylon’s fell during printing and I got spaghetti.
We're about to see a duopoly in space internet: Starlink vs Amazon's LEO constellation. We also have competitors in China and elsewhere. This drives Abundance.
Belgian‑based ADB Safegate announced the sale of its Terminal business, sharpening its focus on airside operations. The company will concentrate on next‑generation airfield lighting, intelligent power solutions, and digital platforms, while expanding R&D through its Safegate Labs initiative. Upgrades to...
"Today, the star [in DC] is Starlink," says Alpine Group's Rhod Shaw at the ACA Connects Summit. #Summit2026
Senate Commerce Committee favorably reported the NASA authorization act on a voice vote. Lots of amendments included in it, which were not discussed during the brief markup.
India’s Ministry of Defence signed a contract with Russia’s Rosoboronexport on March 3 to purchase ship‑borne vertical‑launch surface‑to‑air missiles for the Navy’s Shtil‑1 system. The $238 million (2,182 crore rupees) deal will provide 9M317ME missiles for four Project 11356 frigates, including the already‑operational F70 Tushil...
Data centers in space are the stepping stone to everything. Mars, O'Neill colonies, Dyson swarms. It all starts with compute in orbit.
"We are just getting started...more bombers and more fighters are arriving just today.. we will be using 500 lbs, 1000 lbs, 2000 lbs gps and laser guided precision gravity bombs of which we have a nearly unlimited stockpile."
The U.S. Air Force launched an unarmed Minuteman III ICBM from Vandenberg Space Force Base on March 3, carrying two test reentry vehicles to a target near Kwajalein Atoll. The flight, designated GT 255, is part of a long‑running reliability program that has...
Will the schedule stick this time? @AST_SpaceMobile forecasts 12 launches between March and Dec, all but the first carrying multiple BlueBird Block 2 sats. Goal: at least 45 in orbit by year's end. Commercial service would start in in H2....
Several Russian Telegram and media sources say that a Russian Mi-8AMTSh helicopter was shot down last night by Russian air defenses.
Circuits Integrated Hellas has introduced the CI-ONE family, a small‑form‑factor Ka‑band module that combines a high‑performance power amplifier with a single‑pole double‑throw switch. The integrated solution delivers 5 ns switching, up to 36 dBm output, and about 22% efficiency at the 1 dB...
Video from the Ukrainian National Guard Lasar’s Group of bomber UAS strikes on a Russian S-400 TEL in Belgorod oblast that was located by the 429th Achilles Brigade. https://t.co/JQeQ980VPP https://t.co/X5MSQYsK1D
The U.S. Marine Corps awarded BlueHalo Labs a $22.8 million contract modification to purchase additional Titan SV MPv3 counter‑drone systems and spare‑parts kits under its Organic‑Counter Small Unmanned Aerial Systems program. Delivery is slated for on or before July 1 2026, addressing an...
The U.S. Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin a $1.9 billion contract for the C‑130J Maintenance and Training System IV (JMATS IV). The deal covers production, modernization, sustainment, and support of high‑fidelity aircrew and maintenance simulators. The program will service training devices across dozens...
Today at RAeS HQ! As part of #RAeSCivilAviationWeek - Tony Lucking Fireside Chat 2026 - Tasos Michael - CEO, Inception Aviation Holdings Limited #avgeek https://t.co/nDuunYNrFf https://t.co/KXoTZlU6Aj
Russian air defenses likely shot down their own Ka‑52 attack helicopter near Millerovo on March 3 while intercepting a massive Ukrainian drone swarm. The helicopter was reportedly misidentified as a hostile UAV, resulting in crew casualties that remain unconfirmed. Russian officials...
On March 4, 2026, the Israeli Air Force confirmed that an F‑35I Adir shot down an Iranian Yak‑130 over Tehran, marking the first time an F‑35 has downed a manned fighter. The Yak‑130 was reportedly on a counter‑drone mission, equipped...
The UK government must overhaul its night‑flight regime before 2028 as the delayed Aviation Night Noise Effects (ANNE) study pushes policy decisions into the autumn. Night flights underpin the air‑freight sector, delivering express services that 95% of businesses label essential...
Vista America has earned the Federal Aviation Administration’s Diamond Award of Excellence, the highest U.S. distinction for maintenance training. The award required every eligible technician to finish a year‑long curriculum covering advanced aircraft systems, regulations and safety procedures. The company...
Saxon Air has expanded its managed fleet with a 2025‑built Agusta AW139, registration G‑MCFC, now available for charter services. The medium‑twin helicopter seats seven in an executive layout and offers increased payload, range, and flexibility for UK and European missions, including...
Kuwaiti AF Hornet pilot promotion board, 20 years hence "30-plus years of service. Combat medals. Citations. Only man to shoot down three planes in the last 40 years. Why are you still a Captain?" https://t.co/1mfw8xqxRz
PLD Space announced a €180 million Series C round, the largest European space funding this year, to accelerate serial production of its Miura 5 launch vehicle. The round was led by Japan’s Mitsubishi Electric, which will receive priority launch access for its satellite...
Kairos launch scrubbed, as Space One and Firefly Aerospace continue their battle of the launch delays.
Kuwaiti F/A-18 Hornet Responsible For Shooting Down Three USAF F-15E Strike Eagles: Report The bizarre friendly fire incident resulted in the total loss of all three Strike Eagles, but their crews survived. https://t.co/CRnKlnLVDa
