NASA Posts Thousands More Artemis II Photos
NASA has added thousands of new photographs from the Artemis II crewed lunar flyby to its public Gateway to Astronaut Photography of Earth archive. The mission, the first human trip around the Moon in over half a century, captured high‑resolution images of the Moon’s near and far sides, Earthrise scenes, and the spacecraft exterior. The full image set is now freely downloadable, expanding the visual record of humanity’s return to lunar proximity. This release follows the mission’s successful ten‑day flight in early 2026.
ESA Awards Thales Alenia Space €26 Million Contract for LISA Telescopes
The European Space Agency (ESA) has awarded Thales Alenia Space a €26.1 million (≈$28.7 million) contract to design, build, and test six high‑precision Zerodur® optical telescopes for the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) mission. LISA, a €1.05 billion (≈$1.16 billion) flagship project, aims to...
Power Bank Fire Prompts IndiGo Evacuation as Airlines Tighten Battery Rules
An IndiGo flight from Hyderabad to Chandigarh evacuated after a passenger’s power bank ignited on the tarmac. Cabin crew extinguished the fire and used slides to evacuate all 198 occupants without injury. The incident adds to a surge of lithium‑battery...
American Airlines Pilots Union Says Takeover Talks Are Happening — “Any Path Forward” Is On The Table
American Airlines pilots union President Jim Kirby, after a no‑confidence vote against CEO Robert Isom and a board that refused to meet, is now courting merger discussions, saying any path forward—including a takeover—must be considered. The union is meeting with...
Part 1: Workforce Shortage Stunting Industry Growth, Costing Billions
The Leeham News analysis warns that a chronic workforce shortage is crippling the U.S. aerospace sector and could reduce the country's share of global air travel to roughly 10% by 2040. China is producing up to 5 million STEM graduates each...
British Airways Boeing 787 Dreamliner Grounded After It Was Impaled By Engineering Steps As Passengers Watched On From Crowded Bus
British Airways’ 787‑10 Dreamliner was grounded after yellow engineering steps left under the fuselage were impaled when the aircraft was refuelled for a Heathrow‑Chicago flight. The $355 million aircraft had a hatch opened for oxygen‑cylinder replacement, and the refuelling of roughly...
D2D
The article revisits the early failure of Iridium’s $5 billion satellite phone venture, attributing its collapse to regulatory pushback and high handset costs. It then outlines how falling launch prices, improved digital signal processing, and new business models have revived interest...
SpaceX Starship Flight 12 Likely Late May After Generator Explosion and Deluge Damaged
SpaceX’s new Orbital Launch Pad 2 suffered a methalox gas‑generator explosion during a high‑volume deluge test, sending roof panels and debris airborne. The incident was confined to the generator and overhead cover, leaving the pad’s core structure and flame trench undamaged....
Embraer Adds UAE to Growing C390 Customer Base
Embraer announced that the United Arab Emirates has placed firm orders for ten C‑390 Millennium transport aircraft, with an additional ten options. The contract, signed by the Tawazun Council, also includes a future maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) agreement with...
A Tanker Tango: India, Israel, and Boeing
India’s Air Force approved a $900‑$1.1 billion program to convert six used Boeing 767 airliners into Multi‑Mission Tanker Transports through a joint effort by Israel Aerospace Industries and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. The move follows two collapsed Airbus A330 MRTT bids and the high...
Rolls-Royce Reports Strong Defence Start as Orders Flow
Rolls‑Royce announced a more than 20% year‑on‑year rise in defence equipment deliveries, underscoring a strong start to 2026. Highlights include the AE3007 engine powering the US Navy MQ‑25 autonomous refuelling aircraft, EJ200 engines for 20 new Turkish Eurofighter Typhoons, and...
"This Is Unacceptable": Duffy Sounds Off After United Jet Clips Light Pole, Truck In New Jersey
On Sunday, United Airlines Flight UA169, a Boeing 767‑424 arriving from Venice, clipped a light pole and a delivery truck on the New Jersey Turnpike during its final approach to Newark Liberty International Airport. The incident injured the truck driver,...
The Coming Air Age that Wasn’t: How Igor Sikorsky Provided the Template for eVTOL Hype
In October 2016 Uber Elevate released a white paper promising electric vertical‑take‑off‑and‑landing (eVTOL) air taxis, igniting a wave of hype that peaked in 2021 when developers like Joby and Archer announced billion‑dollar revenue forecasts. Analysts such as McKinsey and Morgan...
How Rare Earths Sustain Space Habitats For Brave Astronauts
Space habitats rely on rare‑earth elements (REEs) to turn life‑support functions into lightweight, high‑efficiency systems. NdFeB and SmCo magnets power pumps, fans, and reaction wheels, while europium‑based phosphors provide LED lighting that mimics natural sunlight. The article traces REEs from...
Oberpfaffenhofen’s Mini Aero Cluster
Oberpfaffenhofen, a historic German airfield 30 km west of Munich, is re‑emerging as a European hub for niche commercial aircraft. The Airtech Campus now hosts around 8,000 staff and offers full‑cycle design, manufacturing, testing and MRO services. Two legacy Dornier turboprops—the...
Air Canada Suspends Several More US Routes as Network Adjustments Continue
Air Canada announced the suspension of four U.S. routes—Toronto to Sacramento (effective August 1), Vancouver to Raleigh (effective July 29), Toronto to Charleston (effective September 6) and a temporary pause on Montreal to Austin (September 5‑October 19). The cuts follow the airline’s earlier decision to...
RAF Phantom Pilot Recalls Intercepting a Soviet Il-62 Classic Spy Plane Disguised as an Aeroflot Airliner
In the late 1980s a Royal Air Force Phantom on Quick Reaction Alert scrambled to intercept an Ilyushin Il‑62 flying with Aeroflot markings over the Shetland Islands. The Soviet aircraft was equipped with large cameras to photograph a U.S. carrier...
70th E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Delivered to the US Navy
Northrop Grumman delivered the 70th E-2D Advanced Hawkeye to the U.S. Navy, marking the 82nd aircraft produced for both the Navy and Japan's air force. The milestone underscores a flawless, on‑time production line and the platform’s growing role in joint...
Satellite Frenzy: Show Me the Money
The satellite communications industry is accelerating, with more than 120 telco partnerships and capital expenditures topping $100 billion as firms race to dominate Low Earth Orbit (LEO) broadband. While the broader satellite market generates roughly $293 billion in annual revenue, the LEO...
Lockheed ASTOVL Art
Lockheed unveiled an early short‑takeoff/vertical‑landing (STOVL) fighter design that served as a precursor to the JAST/F‑35 program. The concept, illustrated in the author’s book “US Stealth Fighter Projects,” showcases nascent stealth shaping and vertical‑flight ideas from the Cold War era....
L3Harris Wins Trident Flight Test Instrumentation Deal
L3Harris Technologies, via its Interstate Electronics subsidiary, won a $59.6 million contract modification to provide flight‑test instrumentation for the U.S. Trident II strategic missile system. The work, slated for completion by February 2029, will be performed mainly in the United States, with 55%...
Singapore Airlines Chooses Ultra-Fast Starlink Wi-Fi But Passengers Could Be Left Disappointed… Here’s Why
Singapore Airlines announced a partnership with Elon Musk’s Starlink to provide ultra‑fast, free Wi‑Fi on its long‑haul fleet. The airline will equip only three aircraft types – the Airbus A350‑900 LR, A350‑900 ULR and the A380 – and the retrofit...
The Spirit Is Gone
Spirit Airlines, the pioneer of the ultra‑low‑cost carrier model in the United States, ceased operations in the early hours of May 2, 2026 after a series of bankruptcies, failed merger attempts, and a blocked $500 million bailout. The airline, once celebrated for its...
ESA Considers Shifting Harmony From Vega C to Ariane 6
The European Space Agency (ESA) awarded OHB a €280 million (~$300 million) contract to build two Harmony satellites that will track Earth‑surface deformation from earthquakes and volcanoes. Initially slated for a single Vega C Block 2 launch in 2029, ESA has now issued an...
Boeing’s Long Arc From Disciplined Rework to Distributed Chaos
Boeing’s change‑incorporation process, which pushes pre‑production aircraft into the line before FAA certification, has repeatedly backfired. A 30‑airplane cockpit rework on the 767 and a supplier‑driven configuration scramble on the 787 illustrate how rushed integration drives costly delays. The company’s...
RAF Hosts Allied Drone Knowledge-Sharing Event at Waddington
The Royal Air Force hosted its first Protector RPAS knowledge‑sharing event at RAF Waddington from 16‑27 March 2026, bringing 12 personnel from Canada, Denmark and Norway together for intensive briefings. Attendees received insight into aircrew and engineer training, weapons, intelligence support and...
Gone But Not Forgotten: The Rise and Fall of America’s Lost Airlines
Spirit Airlines’ recent bankruptcy highlights a long‑standing pattern of airline failures in the U.S. The article reviews historic carriers—Pan Am, TWA, Braniff, Eastern, People Express, ValuJet, and others—showing how deregulation, oil shocks, labor disputes and thin margins led to their demise...
United Airlines Clips Truck Outside Airport Perimeter While Landing at Newark, Upending Vehicle in Bizarre Accident
On May 3, United Airlines Flight UA‑169, a Boeing 767‑424 arriving from Venice, clipped a bakery truck on the New Jersey Turnpike and a light pole just outside Newark Liberty International Airport’s runway before landing safely. The low‑altitude approach caused the truck to...
Delta Cancels Hundreds Of Flights — Executives Say The Problem Could Last All Summer
Delta Air Lines has been cancelling hundreds of flights each day, citing crew‑scheduling constraints amplified by recent weather events. Executives trace the root cause to a flawed pilot contract and an over‑reliant ARCOS automated call‑out system that struggles to match...
The U.S. Navy Declares IOC for P-8A Poseidon Increment 3 Block 2
The U.S. Navy announced that the P‑8A Poseidon Increment 3 Block 2 has achieved Initial Operational Capability (IOC) after successful flight testing by VX‑1 and support from PMA‑290. The upgrade, applied to seven airframes at Boeing’s Jacksonville facility, introduces a new combat...
Could The X-BAT Stealth Fighter Drone Change The Air Combat Game?
Shield AI unveiled an updated X‑BAT stealth fighter drone at Sea‑Air‑Space 2026, showcasing a tail‑sitting VTOL design controlled by its proprietary “Hivemind” artificial‑intelligence pilot. The drone’s internal payload bays are sized like those of the F‑35, allowing it to carry...
After Spirit Shutdown, Budget Airlines Seek $2.5 Billion Bailout — DOT Says They’re Taking Advantage
Spirit Airlines' collapse has spurred rival low‑cost carriers—including Frontier, Allegiant, Sun Country and Avelo—to request a $2.5 billion federal bailout. Their plan calls for suspending the 7.5% domestic airfare excise tax and the $5.30 per‑segment air‑traffic‑control levy. DOT Secretary Sean Duffy...
Southwest Airlines Puts On Special Surprise For Spirit Airlines Captain Who Was Due to Retire On Day Carrier Went Bust
Southwest Airlines arranged a surprise retirement celebration for Spirit Airlines Captain Jon Jackson, who was slated to fly his final shift on the day Spirit filed for liquidation. After Spirit’s $500 million bailout request failed, Southwest ferried stranded crew to Baltimore...
Belgium Shows Testing of F-16 with FZ275 Laser-Guided Rockets in C-UAS Trial
Belgium’s air force released footage showing F‑16 Fighting Falcons firing inert Thales FZ275 70 mm laser‑guided rockets at medium‑size target drones during a Counter‑UAS trial at Lomardsijde. The test, conducted with the land component, navy and Thales Belgium, demonstrated an affordable,...
1985 Zolochiv Mid-Air Collision and the Perils of Soviet Aviation
On May 3 1985, Aeroflot Flight 8381, a Tupolev Tu‑134A, collided head‑on with a Soviet Air Force Antonov An‑26 near Zolochiv, Ukraine. The crash killed all 94 occupants—79 passengers and crew on the jet and 15 on the military transport. Investigators blamed local air‑traffic controllers...
Airlines Tighten Rules on Onboard Filming as YouTube Reviewers Face New Reality
Airlines are tightening onboard filming rules, with carriers such as British Airways, Qantas, KLM and Virgin Australia prohibiting recording crew members without consent. Violations can lead to removal from the aircraft, travel denial or legal action, while passengers may still...
British Airways Will Pay Pilots $100,000 a Year Just to Taxi Planes On the Ground Around Chicago O’Hare
British Airways is hiring experienced Boeing 777 and 787 pilots to taxi its aircraft between Terminal 5 and Terminal 3 at Chicago O’Hare, offering a base salary of $90,000‑$100,000 per year. The role targets recently retired pilots who can no longer fly...
Change Incorporation on Boeing 777-9s Will Take “Years”, CEO Said
Boeing has more than 30 unfinished 777‑9 jets stored at Everett that must undergo a lengthy change‑incorporation process before they can be delivered. CEO Kelly Ortberg said the effort, which updates each aircraft to the latest FAA‑approved configuration, will take...
Breeze Airways Expands in Atlantic City With New Routes Following Spirit’s Exit
Breeze Airways announced a phased rollout of new leisure routes from Atlantic City International Airport (ACY) to replace the service void left by Spirit Airlines. The airline will start daily flights to Orlando on July 3, add Myrtle Beach and Fort...
United’s CEO Is a Card Counter, JetBlue Sued over Surveillance Pricing, and How Easy Is It to Get Banned From...
United Airlines chief Scott Kirby, a former card‑counter, remains banned from several Las Vegas casinos, a quirk that highlights the personal histories of airline executives. JetBlue is confronting a class‑action lawsuit alleging it uses "surveillance pricing" to raise fares based on...
Government Moves to Safeguard Summer Travel with Proposed Airport Slot Flexibility
The UK government has opened a rapid consultation to temporarily relax airport slot rules ahead of the peak summer travel period. The proposal would let airlines hand back a limited share of their allocated take‑off and landing slots without forfeiting...
Spirit in the Sky
Spirit Airlines announced its liquidation on May 2, 2026, ending operations for a fleet of 130 aircraft and 17,000 employees. The ultra‑low‑cost carrier, the nation’s seventh‑largest airline, had struggled with repeated bankruptcies and never recovered from the COVID‑19 downturn. Its...
Norway Upgrades Military Simulation with BAE Systems VBS4
The Norwegian Armed Forces have entered a four‑year enterprise licence agreement with BAE Systems OneArc to upgrade its VBS4 virtual training environment. The upgrade adds VBS Builder Edition, Blue IG high‑fidelity rendering, and terrain generation tools, expanding capabilities for mission...
Ryanair to Close Berlin Base and Withdraw Seven Aircraft From October 2026
Ryanair announced it will close its Berlin Brandenburg base on 24 October 2026, withdrawing seven aircraft. The decision follows a recent 10% airport fee hike that pushes total charges up 50% since 2019, making the German market unsustainable for the low‑cost carrier....
The First Domino
Spirit Airlines filed for bankruptcy and ceased operations after its final flight landed, citing a cash‑burn crisis triggered by jet fuel prices that doubled following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The closure resulted from the unauthorized war launched...
Which Airline Do They Fly Now
Spirit Airlines abruptly halted operations at 3 a.m. Eastern on May 2, 2026, after a failed bailout, instantly terminating 17,000 jobs and stranding roughly 60,000 daily passengers. The shutdown exposed the fragile role of low‑cost carriers that serve predominantly working‑class, Black, Latino,...
China Eastern Airbus A350 Collides With Jet Bridge in Shanghai
China Eastern Airlines’ Airbus A350‑941 collided with a jet bridge while taxiing at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport on May 2, 2026. The aircraft, arriving from Chengdu, struck the structure twice, damaging the left wing, engine cowling and a door. All...
Spirit Airlines Ceases Operations, Flights Cancelled
Spirit Airlines announced an immediate wind‑down on May 2, 2026, cancelling all scheduled flights. Passengers who booked directly with the carrier will receive automatic refunds, while those who used third‑party sites must pursue claims with the sellers. Southwest, United and...
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy Says Feds Are Working With Airlines to Help Stranded Spirit Passengers and Crew
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that the Department of Transportation has coordinated with U.S. airlines to assist passengers and crew stranded after Spirit Airlines abruptly ceased operations. American Airlines is repatriating Spirit crew for free and launching a recruitment portal,...
Listen: Final Spirit Airlines Flight Asked Tower, “Are We The Last One?” — Then Said Goodbye
Spirit Airlines ceased operations on May 2, 2026, with its final commercial flight touching down at Dallas‑Fort Worth after the crew asked whether any other Spirit aircraft were inbound. The carrier ran out of cash, rejected a proposed taxpayer bailout, and could not...