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
Runway Extension Groundbreaking at Kalamazoo/Battle Creek Int’l Airport Begins Monday
The Kalamazoo Battle Creek International Airport will break ground on April 27, 2026 to extend Runway 17‑35 by 450 feet. The project adds pavement, new lighting, grading, drainage and safety‑area upgrades. Construction will proceed in phases, with a planned seven‑day full closure of Runway 17‑35 while other runways stay open. The extension aims to improve pilot safety, operational reliability and the airport’s long‑term capacity for the Southwest Michigan region.
Interview: The Avionics Suite Designed to Let Anyone Fly a Plane
Airhart Aeronautics finished test flights of its redesigned Sling aircraft on April 12, 2026, showcasing a new avionics suite aimed at simplifying small‑plane operation. The system swaps traditional mechanical linkages for fly‑by‑wire controls and replaces button‑heavy panels with a 14‑inch,...
One (More) Small Step for Mankind
The Artemis II mission launched on April 1, carrying four astronauts aboard NASA’s Orion capsule, marking the first crewed flight of the program. The essay reflects on how the rise of New Space companies—SpaceX, Blue Origin, Virgin Galactic—has democratized access to space, turning...
Satellite Snaps Amazing 36th Birthday Pic of Hubble Space Telescope (Photo)
On April 24, 2026, Vantor’s WorldView Legion 4 satellite photographed NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope from just 62 km (38.4 mi) away, marking the telescope’s 36th birthday. The image shows Hubble’s cylindrical body, thermal shielding, solar arrays, and open aperture door with a ground‑sample...
Spacewalk Glove Survives Debris, Backup Tank Ready
Damaged spacewalking glove. The Space Station gets bombarded by space rocks and debris, and is covered with small, sharp impact scars. It's easy to snag your glove on one. We pause every 45 minutes (at sunrise or sunset) to inspect...
Joby Aviation and Uber Lock in Dubai eVTOL Launch by 2026
Joby Aviation and Uber have confirmed that their joint eVTOL air‑taxi service will begin operations in Dubai by 2026. The partnership aims to turn the UAE’s skyline into a commercial air‑mobility corridor, leveraging Uber’s ride‑hailing platform and Joby’s electric vertical...
Virgin Atlantic Accelerates Starlink Rollout to Create ‘Home Away From Home’ Experience
Virgin Atlantic is accelerating its rollout of SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet, beginning with free high‑speed Wi‑Fi on its Airbus A350 fleet in May. The first passenger flight, VS153 from London to New York, will showcase the service, with plans to...
Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines Transition to Shared Passenger Service System for More Seamless CX
Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines have completed a migration to a shared Sabre passenger service system, consolidating bookings, mobile apps, loyalty programs, and airport check‑in under one platform. The unified system lets travelers manage trips across both carriers through a...
We’ll Bring You Home: USAF’s Unwritten Contract with Every Combat Pilot
In early April 2026 a U.S. F‑15E was shot down over Iran, prompting a massive combat search‑and‑rescue (CSAR) effort that rescued the pilot (DUDE 44A) and later extracted the weapons‑systems officer (DUDE 44B). The joint operation deployed 21 aircraft, including A‑10s, HC‑130s...
Artemis II Broke Fred Haise's Distance Record, but He Is Happy to Pass It On
Artemis II’s crew set a new human‑distance record, traveling 252,756 miles (406,771 km) from Earth—surpassing the Apollo 13 benchmark that stood for 56 years. The record was achieved on a free‑return trajectory that took the Orion capsule farther beyond the Moon’s far side than any...
JetZero and Airplane Manufacturing Disruption
JetZero, a new aerospace venture, secured $1 billion in funding—including $235 million from the U.S. Department of Defense—to develop its Z4 blended‑wing‑body commercial aircraft. The company will build the Z4 at a $4.7 billion, 15,000‑job plant at Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro,...
Russia Fires 47 Missiles, 619 Drones; Ballistic Missiles Unblocked
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, overnight Russia launched 47 missiles and 619 OWA UAS, including: -12 Iskander-M / S-400 (R-48) ballistic missiles -29 Kh-101 cruise missiles -1 Iskander-K cruise missile - 5 Kalibr cruise missiles - 619 Shahed, Gerbera, Italmas, and...
Rheinmetall Signs Agreement for New Satellite Testing Facility in Norway
German defence and aerospace group Rheinmetall signed a Letter of Intent with Andøy municipality to develop a dedicated satellite testing facility in northern Norway. The project, called the Rheinmetall Integrated Process Facility, will occupy an exclusive plot of land pending...
Scientists Say They’ve Tested a Way to Get to Alpha Centauri in Just 20 Years
Researchers at Texas A&M University have demonstrated a laser‑propelled micro‑device called a metajet that can move in three dimensions without physical contact. The metajet’s metasurface pattern redirects incoming light, converting photon momentum into thrust, a principle the team says can...
Can Electric Air Taxis Carry Passengers? Vertical Aerospace’s VX4 Just Cleared a Key Test
Vertical Aerospace’s VX4 eVTOL completed a piloted transition test on April 14, 2026, proving it can shift from vertical lift to wing‑borne cruise and back. The flight was conducted under the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s oversight, positioning the prototype as a...
Skydio Commits $3.5 B to Build U.S. Drone Manufacturing Hub
Skydio announced a $3.5 billion investment to expand domestic drone manufacturing, targeting on‑shoring of motors, batteries and microchips. The move, backed by White House tech adviser Michael Kratsios, aims to cut U.S. reliance on Chinese supply chains and create thousands of...
Amazon to Acquire Globalstar for $11.6B, Targeting Starlink Rivalry
Amazon announced a $11.57 billion deal to buy Globalstar, securing spectrum, satellites and global licenses. The move is aimed at building a next‑generation Leo network that can compete with SpaceX’s Starlink and extend Amazon’s e‑commerce logistics into remote areas.
Astrobotic Fires 4,000‑lb RDRE Prototype, Marking First Hot‑fire of Rotating Detonation Engine
Space startup Astrobotic successfully hot‑fired its rotating detonation rocket engine (RDRE) prototype, delivering more than 4,000 pounds of thrust for a 300‑second burn and a total of 470 seconds across two engines. The test, conducted at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight...
BrahMos Production Crashes Over 50% Due to Staff Exodus, BrahMos-NG Delays, Report Claims; Will India Lose Its Missile Edge?
Production of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile has fallen to under 50% of last year’s level, a drop linked to the relocation of roughly 56 staff members and ensuing resignations. BrahMos Aerospace has warned the Indian Navy that the 220‑missile...
Magellan Aerospace: Strong Buy As Margins Expand And Valuation Gap Persists
Magellan Aerospace Corp. (MAL:CA) has been upgraded to a strong‑buy as its stock has risen 168% since initial coverage and remains undervalued relative to peers. The company posted 11% revenue growth and lifted its adjusted EBITDA margin to 11.2%, driven...
British Airways Owner to Raise Ticket Prices Amid Fuel Shortage Crisis
British Airways parent IAG announced ticket price adjustments to offset sharply higher jet fuel costs, while low‑cost rival Jet2 eliminated surcharge clauses to keep prices fixed for holidaymakers. Brittany Ferries highlighted its successful fuel‑hedging strategy at roughly $70 per barrel,...
UK Rejects Suggestion British Jets Downed Russian Drones
On 25 April 2026 the UK Ministry of Defence clarified that two RAF Eurofighter Typhoon jets scrambled from Romania’s Borcea Air Base returned without engaging any Russian drones. Romania’s defence ministry confirmed the pilots had authorization to fire but no drones...
France Pushes Mirage Deal for Ukraine – Greece Hesitates
France is urging Greece to divert part of its 24 Mirage 2000‑5 fighters to Ukraine, using the transfer as leverage to boost Rafale sales and demonstrate European support for Kyiv. Athens balks, citing operational reliance on the Mirage fleet amid ongoing...
Burt Rutan's Bold AV Comment Sparks Supersonic Startup
When I was a speaker at @smooter’s innovation conference in Idaho famous airplane designer/builder/pilot Burt Rutan also gave a speech. Started talking about autonomous vehicles. “When I get mine I am going to have sex in it,” he said in front of...
‘It’s a Pretty Substantial Disaster’: More Flight Cancellations Likely as Fuel Crisis Bites
European airlines are scrambling as jet‑fuel prices surge past $2.50 per gallon, driven by the Red Sea crisis and oil futures above $100 a barrel. Lufthansa cancelled 20,000 short‑haul flights, while KLM grounded 150 flights, citing financial infeasibility. Carriers such...
Canadian Space Industry Companies: The Complete Guide to Every Major Player
The guide maps Canada’s rapidly expanding space sector, noting that MDA Space generated C$499 million (~$370 million) in 2025 revenue with a C$4 billion backlog, while satellite communications, Earth observation and launch services see strong growth. Start‑ups such as GHGSat, Kepler and Wyvern...
This Is Who's Developing Golden Dome's Orbital Interceptors—If They're Ever Built
The U.S. Space Force announced a roster of 12 companies—including SpaceX, Lockheed Martin, Anduril, and Booz Allen—receiving up to $3.2 billion in OTA contracts to develop Space‑Based Interceptors (SBIs) for the Golden Dome missile‑defense program. The awards target early‑stage prototypes and aim...
U.S. Navy Pays Castelion $105M to Test Blackbeard Hypersonic Weapon
On April 24, 2026, the U.S. Navy awarded small‑business defense firm Castelion Corp. a $104.9 million contract modification to advance its Blackbeard hypersonic weapon toward early operational capability. The firm‑fixed‑price SBIR Phase III effort will fund live‑fire testing in the Indo‑Pacific area...
Shield AI’s V‑Bat Joins US Navy $800 Million ISR Competition
Shield AI was chosen to compete in the U.S. Navy’s contractor‑owned, contractor‑operated (COCO) ISR program, giving the company a shot at up to $800 million in task orders for its V‑Bat drone. The selection marks a major step toward autonomous, round‑the‑clock...
Leidos Secures $617 Million Army Contract to Build Over 100 IFPC Increment 2 Launchers
Leidos has been awarded a $617 million U.S. Army contract to deliver over 100 launchers for the Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2 (IFPC Inc 2) system. The award brings the company's total IFPC production contracts to nearly $1.2 billion and supports the Army’s push...
JAXA’s OrigamiSat‑2 Expands 25‑Fold in Orbit, Showcasing Deployable CubeSat Tech
Japan’s space agency launched OrigamiSat‑2 on April 23, and the 10‑cm CubeSat unfurled a reflectarray antenna 25‑times larger in orbit. The demonstration validates Miura‑fold mechanisms for low‑cost, high‑performance small satellites, a potential game‑changer for commercial and scientific missions.
U.S. Space Force Awards up to $3.2 Billion to 12 Firms for Golden Dome Orbital Interceptor Program
The U.S. Space Force announced contracts worth up to $3.2 billion for 12 companies to build prototypes of space‑based interceptors under the Golden Dome program. The awards, made via Other Transaction Authority agreements, aim to demonstrate an initial capability by 2028...
NASA Deploys Modified Boeing 777 as Its Largest Research Aircraft for Earth Science
NASA has taken delivery of a Boeing 777, extensively re‑engineered by L3Harris, to replace its aging DC‑8 fleet. The aircraft can carry 75,000 pounds of scientific gear, stay aloft for 18 hours at 43,000 feet, and host up to 100...
FAA Grounds Blue Origin’s New Glenn After Satellite Mis‑orbit
The Federal Aviation Administration has grounded Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket after its upper stage placed AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 7 satellite into an off‑nominal orbit on April 19, 2026. The incident cancels the first reuse of a New Glenn booster and triggers a mandatory...
Boeing's 777-9 Deliveries Delayed to 2027 After Massive Rework
Boeing just admitted they have to rework ~30 already-built 777-9s before delivery. Some were built years ago and have been sitting in storage since ~2020. Certification delays mean major updates are now required. First deliveries now pushed to 2027... 7 ...
From Parts to Power: XB-1 Mirrors Symphony Engine
Not that long ago, XB-1 was a bucket of parts—just like the Symphony engine is now. When you’re in the first pic you get to be in the second. https://t.co/db7DTz4CNL
Lockheed Martin Reaffirms FY26 Outlook as Shares Jump 4.6%
Lockheed Martin Corp. (LMT) reaffirmed its full‑year 2026 earnings and sales guidance, prompting a 4.6% rise in its shares during pre‑market trading. The company kept FY2025 earnings forecasts at $29.35‑$30.25 per share on $77.5‑$80.0 billion in net sales, offering a rare...
Air Service Agreements Trim Top Airlines Emissions by 3%
For airlines in the top segment — whether defined by revenue (top 25) or service quality (Skytrax top 50) — air service agreements lead to a decline in total emissions of about 3%, along with a comparable reduction in emissions...
White House Eyes Defense Production Act for Spirit Takeover
Sheer lunacy: "White House mulls using Defense Production Act in Spirit Airlines takeover" https://t.co/xHfxXgFtIF https://t.co/LzPhwvAMIU
Air Force Plans to Keep B-1s Through 2037, Fly B-2s Longer
The U.S. Air Force will invest roughly $1.7 billion over the next five years to modernize its B‑1B Lancer and B‑2 Spirit bombers, extending the B‑1’s service life to 2037 and keeping the B‑2 in operation indefinitely. The plan revises earlier...
First Cyclorotor Aircraft Achieves Successful Takeoff
BlackBird Breakthrough: The First Cyclorotor Aircraft Successfully Takes Off by @spaceandtech_ #Aviation #EmergingTech #Technology #Innovation https://t.co/7qz0pcmKnF
SpaceX IPO Rumor Sparks $20 B Funding Questions
I heard SpaceX was going public within the next two months. Why do they need to borrow $20b? Seems odd?
Blanke Textech Unveils Advanced Textile Laminated Cabin Panel at AIX 2026
Blanke textech GmbH, a Mattes & Ammann Group division, unveiled TE‑PAC—an advanced textile‑laminated cabin panel—at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg. The panel bonds a high‑quality textile directly to a lightweight honeycomb composite, eliminating seams and folded edges. This design promises...
Upgraded Marine F/A‑18s Become Lethal Drone Hunters
USMC F/A-18C/Ds pushed to the Middle East are extremely capable drone hunters. Now significantly upgraded w/APG-79V4 AESA and APKWS air-to-air rockets. Good targeting pod etc. Marines better at dispersed ops. Expect them forward and working in counter air screen over...
Hubble’s Legacy Spotlighted on NBC’s Stay Tuned Now
I'll be on Stay Tuned Now on NBC tonight with host Morgan Chesky tonight. I'm talking about the Hubble Space Telescope and all it's amazing contributions. Fun Fact: Across it's 5 servicing missions, HST was visited by all 4 shuttles....
Australia: Satellite-Enabled Communications Strengthens Disaster Resilience
Australian researchers at Swinburne University, funded by SmartSat CRC, have created a low‑power satellite‑enabled communication terminal designed for disaster zones. The system combines a minimalist beacon, software‑defined radio, and LoRa‑satellite hybrid links to deliver text and voice messages when terrestrial...
Industry Shortsightedness Ignoring China’s Long‑Term Threat
This is a good example from the aerospace (Boeing/Aerospace/Bombardier) industry. Such examples are happening right now in automotive, energy, robotics, defensetech, and more… We are being short-sighted on internal competition, and on the long term threat from China.
Lufthansa’s Queen of the Sky Soars From SFO To
MyPOV - Always good to see a Queen of the Sky in active service. Few left today @Lufthansa #455 en route to @Airport_FRA from @flySFO ... https://t.co/rBYjPPNrd3
What the Gulf Conflict Means for Airlines
Thai airlines are slashing flight capacity for May, with low‑cost carrier AirAsia cutting up to 15% as jet‑fuel costs have more than doubled since the US‑Iran conflict began. Jet fuel, which normally accounts for about 30% of operating expenses, now...
White House Plan To Bail Out Spirit Airlines Is Illegal
The White House is preparing to purchase 90% of Spirit Airlines for roughly $500 million, using the Defense Production Act (DPA) as the legal justification. The plan involves a loan that would place the Treasury as the senior creditor in Spirit’s...