Space Force Components Building Up Units to ‘Surge’ Forward
Space Force leaders are preparing to double the service’s size, focusing on expanding component commands that support forward‑operating units. Lt. Gen. Dennis O. Bythewood announced the creation of Space Support Teams that will surge Guardians to combatant‑command locations during conflict. The eight global components must grow both to sustain day‑to‑day integration of space capabilities and to field new missions such as space‑based moving target indication. Input from these components will shape the upcoming “objective force” planning document outlining a 15‑year force structure.
Ukraine Wants to Reinforce Its Cooperation with Europe in the Aerospace Industry
A delegation of 15 Ukrainian aerospace and unmanned‑systems leaders attended JEC World 2026 to pitch deeper European cooperation on composite materials. Ukraine, already skilled in aerospace and rocketry, now produces 4‑4.5 million drones a year and seeks dual‑use technology that serves...
China “Intercepts” B-2 Bomber’s Signals on Return From Iran? PLA-Linked Firm Claims Radio Unlock
Chinese defence firm Jingan Technology announced it intercepted radio transmissions from U.S. B‑2 stealth bombers returning from strikes on Iran on March 1, 2026. The claim, posted on social media, includes alleged flight‑path reconstruction and an audio recording, though no independent...
Artemis 2 Set for April Lunar Launch as NASA Navigates Gateway Uncertainty
NASA gave Artemis 2 a tentative go‑ahead for an April 1‑6 launch, with the Space Launch System slated to roll out on March 19 after a successful flight‑readiness review. The crew, including NASA’s Wiseman, Glover, Koch and CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen, confirmed readiness, while...
No Refunds, Long Waits, Canceled Rebookings: Travelers Face Airline Policy Chaos
Airlines in the Middle East and Asia are grappling with a surge of flight cancellations caused by the Iran war, leading to widespread confusion over refunds and rebookings. Carriers have adopted divergent waiver policies—some, like Emirates and Qatar Airways, issuing...
European Space Agency Taps Terran Orbital Subsidiary for Defense Deal
Terran Orbital’s subsidiary Tyvak International secured a contract with the European Space Agency to build Farinella, a 6U CubeSat for the RAMSES planetary‑defense mission. The spacecraft will study near‑Earth asteroid Apophis during its close approach on 13 April 2029, providing data to...
Air India Evaluates East Asia Routes Amid West Asia Airspace Disruptions
Air India is assessing new long‑haul services to East Asian hubs such as Osaka, Jakarta and Phnom Penh, with a Boeing 787 earmarked for the Japanese capital. The move comes as the carrier activates contingency routes to bypass closed Gulf airspace caused...
Avianca Eyes Caracas, MSC Adds a 777F, SF Brings in a 747, Board Shuffle at One Air
Avianca Cargo inaugurated a weekly A330 freighter service between Bogotá and Caracas, adding 60 tonnes of capacity and supplementing it with passenger belly space. MSC Air Cargo took delivery of its seventh Boeing 777F, named Castor, to expand its Europe‑Asia...
This 300-Mile Cargo Drone Is Moving Closer to Deployment
Elroy Air has been chosen for the U.S. Department of Transportation’s eVTOL Integration Pilot Program, becoming the sole cargo‑focused participant among air‑taxi developers. Its Chaparral autonomous VTOL drone can transport up to 300 pounds over roughly 300 miles using a hybrid‑electric powertrain...
Podcast: Axiom CEO Discusses the Next Wave of Commercial Activity in LEO
In a Space News Space Minds podcast, Axiom Space CEO Jonathan Cirtain outlines the next wave of commercial activity in low‑Earth orbit (LEO). He highlights Axiom’s roadmap to launch the first fully commercial space station by 2028 and the expanding...
NASA’s Artemis II Moon Mission Daily Agenda
NASA’s Artemis II will launch aboard the Space Launch System for a ten‑day Orion test flight around the Moon. The crew—Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen—will conduct system checkouts, trajectory correction burns, a translunar injection, and a...
Safer Space Travel: Scientists Create a Cosmic Ray Simulator
An international team led by ESA has commissioned the first European galactic cosmic ray (GCR) simulator at the GSI/FAIR accelerator in Darmstadt. Using a hybrid active‑passive approach that varies iron ion beams and passive modulators, the facility reproduces the mixed...
Following Congressional Rebuke, Air Force Awards E-7 Contracts
The U.S. Air Force awarded Boeing two sole‑source contracts— a $2.3 billion option and a $99.3 million radar‑source modification— pushing the E‑7 Wedgetail program’s total value above $5 billion. The awards implement the FY 2026 Consolidated Appropriations Act, which directed the service to continue...
China to Begin Construction of Its Mars Sample Return Spacecraft
China’s state‑run media announced that construction of the Tianwen‑3 Mars sample‑return spacecraft will begin this year, with a launch planned for 2028. The mission targets a return of at least 500 grams of Martian material to Earth by around 2031. Tianwen‑3...
Nominations Open for Member Advancement
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) has opened nominations for its Member Advancement program, inviting members to recognize peers who have made outstanding contributions to the aerospace sector. Eligible candidates must satisfy detailed criteria outlined on the AIAA...
Tiny NASA Spacecraft Delivers Exoplanet Mission’s First Images
NASA’s 6U CubeSat, part of the SPARCS exoplanet mission, has returned its first images of a distant planetary system. Launched in early 2025, the spacecraft captured ultraviolet and visible light data of the star Proxima Centauri and its orbiting exoplanet,...
AF Week in Photos
U.S. Air Force showcased a week of diverse operations, from F‑35A combat missions in the Middle East supporting Operation Epic Fury to Arctic F‑22 sorties defending North American airspace. Joint exercises highlighted B‑2, Navy F‑35C and F/A‑18E maritime strikes, while...
Six Confirmed Deceased in Loss of U.S. KC-135 Over Iraq
A U.S. Air Force KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft crashed over western Iraq on March 12, 2026, killing all six crew members. The loss occurred during Operation Epic Fury and was confirmed not to be the result of hostile or friendly fire. The...
Hélène Huby, CEO of The Exploration Company: ‘Only the Crazy People Change the World’
Hélène Huby, founder and CEO of The Exploration Company, leads a five‑year‑old spacetech startup that builds reusable, refillable cargo vehicles for low‑Earth‑orbit missions. The firm has already demonstrated semi‑successful cargo deliveries to and from space at a fraction of traditional...
UK Billionaire Backs Construction of World’s Largest All-Lens Telescope
British billionaire Alex Gerko is financing MOTHRA, a distributed‑aperture telescope built from 1,140 high‑end Canon telephoto lenses that together provide a 4.7 meter effective aperture. The array is being assembled at the Obstech‑El Sauce Observatory in Chile, with construction started in...
Intercepting Shahed and Other Strike UAVs — a New Stage in the Evolution of Air Defense Technologies
Drone Fight Group, Bat Drones and Ukrainian maker PG Robotics have begun serial production of the Angel Spire interceptor drone, aimed at neutralising Shahed‑type loitering munitions and other hostile UAVs. The platform can cruise between 150 and 290 km/h and reach targets up...
Eutelsat Ends Express AT1 and AT2 Capacity Deals After Satellite Disruption
Eutelsat has terminated its capacity contracts on the Russian‑owned Express AT1 and Express AT2 satellites after Express AT1 failed on March 4 and Express AT2 is being relocated from 140° East. The leases had complemented Eutelsat’s own 36° East fleet (Eutelsat 36C/36D). The company estimates the terminations will...
High-Density Thick Film Substrates
Remtec announced its high‑density thick‑film multilayer ceramic substrates, targeting military, avionics, space and industrial markets. The product line offers 6‑8 conductor layers on alumina, aluminum nitride or beryllia, with either gold or low‑cost silver interconnects delivering 1‑3 mΩ/sq conductivity. Features include...
PrSM Increment 2 Takes Flight and Advances Army’s Moving-Target and Maritime Capability
Lockheed Martin announced the successful first flight test of the Precision Strike Missile Increment 2 on March 12, 2026, launching from a HIMARS and flying 350 km. The test demonstrated a new multi‑mode seeker capable of locking moving maritime targets, expanding the missile’s mission...
Aaronia Presents High-End Solutions at Satellite in Washington
Aaronia AG will showcase its latest USB real‑time spectrum analyzers and full product line at Satellite 2026 in Washington, D.C. The company highlights the SPECTRAN™ V6 series, featuring sweep speeds over 3 THz/s and up to 450 MHz real‑time bandwidth, as well as the...
Kazakhstan Must Choose: Be Eurasia’s Tech Broker or Become a Pawn in the New Global Space Race
Kazakhstan stands at a crossroads, deciding whether to leverage its Baikonur launch site and AI capabilities to become Eurasia’s trusted broker of space and deep‑tech, or to remain a passive host for rival powers. The global space economy is projected...
NASA Begins Building Nuclear-Powered Dragonfly Drone for 2028 Launch to Saturn Moon Titan
NASA’s Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory has started building and testing the Dragonfly rotorcraft, a nuclear‑powered drone destined for a 2028 launch to Saturn’s moon Titan. The car‑sized craft will use a radioisotope power system, marking a shift from solar‑driven...
Around the Commercial Drone Industry: Public Safety Partnership, Updates to Blue UAS List, and GrubHub Drone Delivery
DRONERESPONDERS signed a national operations agreement with the National Real‑Time Crime Center Association to fast‑track Drone‑as‑First‑Responder (DFR) programs across U.S. emergency agencies. The Defense Contract Management Agency took over the Blue UAS Cleared List from the Defense Innovation Unit, aiming...
Deutsche Aircraft Appoints Nils Heuer as Director of Global Sales
Deutsche Aircraft has named Nils Heuer Director of Global Sales, tasking him with leading the civil regional and multi‑role/special‑mission markets for the D328eco program. Heuer brings three years of direct D328eco sales experience and a background at Lufthansa Technik, blending...
Nordic Air Cargo Symposium Comes to Latvia
The Nordic Air Cargo Symposium returns on 27‑28 April 2026 in Riga, Latvia, serving as the sole regional gathering for Northern Europe’s air freight sector. The two‑day event combines a networking reception, a full‑day conference and, for the first time,...
Quito Announces Airport Expansion and New Routes
At ACI Airport Day in Quito, global aviation experts discussed the emerging "airport city" model and its economic potential. Corporación Quiport announced a 5,000 sq m expansion of Mariscal Sucre International Airport’s cargo terminal, a new cargo aircraft stand and upgraded truck staging,...
Who’s Working With China on Space?
China is rapidly expanding its international space network, now engaging with over 60 countries across Africa, Latin America and beyond. The strategy relies on low‑cost, turnkey packages that bundle satellite design, launch, financing and training, often delivered through state‑owned Great...
Hawaii’s Surf Air Mobility Order 25 BETA Technologies ALIA eCTOL Aircraft
Surf Air Mobility has placed a firm order for 25 all‑electric ALIA CTOL aircraft from BETA Technologies, with an option for up to 75 more. The partnership will integrate BETA’s electric planes and charging infrastructure into Surf Air’s regional platform,...
Airbus Prepares Valkyrie Combat Drone for German Air Force
Airbus is preparing flight tests of a Kratos XQ‑58A Valkyrie‑based uncrewed combat aircraft equipped with its European‑developed MARS mission system for the German Air Force. The two Valkyrie prototypes, being readied at Airbus’ Manching facility, are slated for maiden flights...
U.S. Army Tests APEX Counter-Drone Round for Apache
The U.S. Army conducted live‑fire trials of a new 30 mm Aviation Proximity Explosive (APEX) round on AH‑64 Apache helicopters at Yuma Proving Ground. Over the course of the evaluation, crews fired roughly 1,200 rounds, pitting the APEX munition against the...
UAE’s First Combat Use of M-SAM II Could Raise Export Prospects for South Korean Air Defence
South Korea’s M‑SAM II missile, part of the Cheongung II air‑defence suite, was employed by the United Arab Emirates to intercept Iranian projectiles launched after the U.S. Operation Epic Fury. The engagement, beginning on 28 February, marks the first overseas combat use of...
Q&A: Rebecca Evernden on UK Space Strategy
Rebecca Evernden, the newly appointed director of the UK Space Agency, outlined a four‑pillar strategy—satellite communications, launch capability, in‑orbit servicing and manufacturing, and space domain awareness—to drive economic growth and national security. She emphasized that the agency’s launch ambitions remain...
China Ends Month-Long Launch Hiatus with Separate Guowang and Shiyan-30 Satellite Missions
China resumed orbital launches after a month‑long pause, lifting off a Long March 8A carrying the 20th batch of Guowang internet satellites and a Long March 2D launching the Shiyan‑30 technology demonstrators. The Guowang batch adds to a constellation targeting 13,000 satellites,...
China Upgrades BeiDou Navigation Birds In-Orbit
China's Satellite Navigation Office announced an in‑orbit, over‑the‑air upgrade program for the 50‑satellite BeiDou constellation. The initiative will optimise satellite performance, strengthen joint debugging, and improve user‑experience across sectors such as transport, agriculture and disaster response. The upgrades are part...
IndiGo Dominates Pilot Count, but SpiceJet Stands Out on Pilot-to-Aircraft Ratio
India’s airline sector shows divergent crew dynamics as IndiGo maintains the largest pilot pool with 5,200 pilots but a modest 7.6 pilot‑to‑aircraft ratio, while SpiceJet boasts the highest ratio at 9.4 despite a small crew of 375. Cancellation rates improved...
Lockheed Martin Delivers Second Shipment of ASEV Shipsets and AN/SPY-7(V)1 Equipment to Japan
Lockheed Martin announced on March 12, 2026 that it has delivered the second Aegis System Equipped Vessel (ASEV) shipset, featuring the AN/SPY-7(V)1 solid‑state radar, to Japan’s Ministry of Defense. The shipment, executed through Mitsubishi Corporation under a Direct Commercial Sale,...
Senate Committee Advances NASA Deputy Administrator Nominee
The Senate Commerce Committee voted 23‑5 on March 12 to advance Matt Anderson’s nomination as NASA deputy administrator, sending it to the full Senate for final approval. Anderson, a retired Air Force officer, was first nominated in May and renominated after...
FAA Replaces Decades-Old Tower at XNA
On March 13, 2026, the FAA unveiled a new 140‑foot air traffic control tower at Northwest Arkansas National Airport, replacing the temporary 1998 structure. The tower is 2.5 times taller, offering controllers an improved line‑of‑sight and housing advanced weather‑monitoring, digital...
How Kyle Clark Got BETA’s Air Taxis Ready for Takeoff
Kyle Clark, CEO of BETA Technologies, is steering the electric‑aircraft maker toward commercial operations after securing a $1 billion New York listing and a cash pile of $1.7 billion. The FAA recently approved eight advanced‑air‑mobility trial programs, opening the door for flying‑taxi...
Leonardo Plans to Fly Uncrewed Fighters Alongside M-346 Aircraft by Mid-2026
Leonardo announced that its M‑346 light‑attack trainer will act as a crewed "mother" aircraft to control two uncrewed fighter prototypes, with the first flight demonstrations slated for May 2024 and a public rollout by mid‑2026. The program, dubbed crewed‑uncrewed teaming...
ICEYE Smashes Its Own Revenue Projections
ICEYE, the Finnish synthetic‑aperture radar (SAR) satellite operator, posted 2025 revenue above €250 million, more than doubling its 2024 sales and beating its own forecast by 25%. EBITDA topped €100 million and cash on hand exceeded €350 million, underscoring strong profitability and liquidity....
Q&A With Laurent Jaffart, ESA’s Director of Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity
The European Space Agency has launched a new Directorate for Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity (RNC) under Laurent Jaffart, following a historic €22.3 billion budget and a €1.2 billion defense allocation. The RNC will oversee the European Resilience from Space (ERS) programme, aiming...
New British Airways Status Changes Make Silver and Gold Even Easier for High Spenders
British Airways is overhauling its tier‑point system to reward flexible and semi‑flexible ticket purchases more heavily than cheap, non‑refundable fares. Starting 1 April, base fares, carrier surcharges, seat and baggage fees, and a new bonus table will determine points, effectively doubling...
U.S. Launches Rescue Efforts After Military Refueling Plane Crashes over Iraq
The U.S. Central Command confirmed that a KC‑135 aerial refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq during Operation Epic Fury, stating the loss was not caused by hostile fire. A second KC‑135 landed safely, and rescue teams are searching for survivors....
Japan Set to Join U.S. “Golden Dome” Defense Shield; PM Takaichi Could Announce at Trump Summit: Reports
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is expected to announce Tokyo’s participation in the United States’ “Golden Dome” missile‑defence program during her March 19 meeting with President Donald Trump. The Golden Dome initiative envisions a layered shield of space‑based interceptors and sensors...