Aerospace Social Media and Updates

Red Cat Lands US Air Force Black Widow Drone Contract
SocialApr 21, 2026

Red Cat Lands US Air Force Black Widow Drone Contract

Red Cat Holdins $RCAT large drone win for $RCAT accdg to The US Air Force is purchasing Black Widow drones manufactured by Teal Drones (a Red Cat subsidiary) for feeding live targeting data directly to airborne F-35 fighters. https://t.co/HJrKPkG4tr

By Mark Lehman (MarkFlowChatter)
OHB and Siemens Team up to AI‑drive Satellite Manufacturing
SocialApr 21, 2026

OHB and Siemens Team up to AI‑drive Satellite Manufacturing

Space hardware prime @OHB_SE enters 'strategic development partnership' w/ @Siemens to bring AI to volume satellite production. OHB is a major @esa contractor, a likely platform provider to @SES_Satellites for @defis_eu Iris2 constellation & prime for @bundeswehrInfo SatcomBw-4. https://t.co/27vLOt5fhT

By Peter B. de Selding
FAANews $15B NextGen Reform Plagued by Longstanding Issues
SocialApr 21, 2026

FAANews $15B NextGen Reform Plagued by Longstanding Issues

.@SecDuffy makes point that $15B @FAANews NextGen reform plan has suffered serious issues for years https://t.co/V9SaXieJXn

By David Shepardson
Artemis Suits Likely Fine; Axiom Praised for Future Bets
SocialApr 21, 2026

Artemis Suits Likely Fine; Axiom Praised for Future Bets

Actually, I think the Artemis spacesuits are probably going to be fine. Axiom deserves credit for betting on the future. https://t.co/UJmwDHUmCE

By Eric Berger
Recurring Friday Night Outages Disrupt Potomac TRACON Operations
SocialApr 21, 2026

Recurring Friday Night Outages Disrupt Potomac TRACON Operations

The two recent Friday night outages at Potomac TRACON have been cited several times (I wrote up the last one from my car outside my older son's baseball practice) https://t.co/Pa1vp5yLhF

By David Shepardson
Sununu's Letter Still Guides ATC Reform Six Months Later
SocialApr 21, 2026

Sununu's Letter Still Guides ATC Reform Six Months Later

This @GovChrisSununu letter is worth reading again six months later on ATC reform as he speaks at @USDOT event https://t.co/E3pYGHiwdL

By David Shepardson
Airline CEOs Join DOT Video on ATC Reform
SocialApr 21, 2026

Airline CEOs Join DOT Video on ATC Reform

.@JetBlue @AmericanAir @SouthwestAir @united among the CEOs that were part of @USDOT video on ATC reform

By David Shepardson
Falcon Launches Every Few Days—Watch Live in Florida or California
SocialApr 21, 2026

Falcon Launches Every Few Days—Watch Live in Florida or California

Falcon flies every few days. You can see launches in person from Florida or California.

By Elon Musk
EU Space Act Needs €125B Budget Floor, Industry Input
SocialApr 21, 2026

EU Space Act Needs €125B Budget Floor, Industry Input

.@defis_eu @KubiliusA to @Europarl_EN: EU Space Act draft still needs work, idea for industry to join assessement may be OK; need set EUR 125B floor on 2028-34 defense/space budget. France/Poland milsatcom JV @AirbusSpace @Thales_Alenia_S @WBGroup_PL.https://t.co/EXysBT0lyY https://t.co/niYzanTrvA

By Peter B. de Selding
Trump Warns Airline Consolidation Breeds Laziness, Opposes United‑American Merger
SocialApr 21, 2026

Trump Warns Airline Consolidation Breeds Laziness, Opposes United‑American Merger

"It makes them lazy." Trump comes against a possible United Airlines-American Air merger. Says Spirit should be acquired by someone, the defense base is too consolidated. https://t.co/HEddc2ZFLN

By Matt Stoller
Global Defence Surge Lifts BAE Systems 2025 Sales
SocialApr 21, 2026

Global Defence Surge Lifts BAE Systems 2025 Sales

BAE Systems lifted 2025 sales and backlog as global defence demand boosted aircraft and materials needs. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/bae-systems-defence-demand-lifts-sales.html

By The Metalnomist
Airlines Demand Ratings without Giving Attendants Proper Tools
SocialApr 21, 2026

Airlines Demand Ratings without Giving Attendants Proper Tools

Airlines don’t provide flight attendants with the tools they need to do the job, but they want passengers to rate crew performance. Tell me what’s wrong with this picture?

By Heather Poole
Clean Aviation Forum Highlights Competitiveness, Sustainability, Sovereignty
SocialApr 21, 2026

Clean Aviation Forum Highlights Competitiveness, Sustainability, Sovereignty

'Competitiveness, Sustainability and Technological Sovereignty' - 3 key topics at the Clean Aviation Annual Forum in Brussels. RAeS Head of Research Naomi Allen reports. #avgeek https://t.co/74ypOdKVw1 https://t.co/QAGBajr8Ps

By Tim Robinson
Possible BlueBird 7 Reentry Video, Timing Discrepancy Noted
SocialApr 21, 2026

Possible BlueBird 7 Reentry Video, Timing Discrepancy Noted

The following video by @MvCrisis was reportedly taken in the Maldives at 0355-0400 UTC Apr 20. It's possible it shows the @AST_SpaceMobile BlueBird 7 reentry, although the SpaceForce TLE says this time was 25 min too early to be BB7,...

By Jonathan McDowell
Rebar Foundations Signal America's Reindustrialization Surge
SocialApr 21, 2026

Rebar Foundations Signal America's Reindustrialization Surge

Lurking just below the surface of American reindustrialization: lots of rebar. This is the reinforced steel and concrete foundation for our supersonic engine test stand. https://t.co/knML6ytjhc

By Blake Scholl
Jet Fuel Shortage Looming; Save for Summer Flights
SocialApr 21, 2026

Jet Fuel Shortage Looming; Save for Summer Flights

Even if the Iran ceasefire holds, the world already has a months-long jet fuel shortage baked in. So, start saving for those summer vacation flights. Full Newsletter: https://t.co/RZBrtJ5Ufo #iranwar #jetfuel #geopolitics https://t.co/WaIwrgDGKI

By Peter Zeihan
Tenax and Air Industries Merge Into $210M Aerospace Platform
SocialApr 21, 2026

Tenax and Air Industries Merge Into $210M Aerospace Platform

Tenax and Air Industries plan to merge, creating a $210mn aerospace and defense manufacturing platform. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/tenax-aerospace-air-industries-merger.html

By The Metalnomist
New Vessel Dedicated Exclusively to Starship Operations
SocialApr 21, 2026

New Vessel Dedicated Exclusively to Starship Operations

The vessel will be "fully dedicated to support Starship operations going forward." Any details @TurkeyBeaver?

By Stephen Clark
Govt Has Spent $6.27 B on OCX Program
SocialApr 21, 2026

Govt Has Spent $6.27 B on OCX Program

As of January, the government had spent approximately $6.27 billion on the OCX program. https://t.co/h7T9EfpB94

By Stephen Clark
Progress MS-32 Undocks, Set for South Pacific Reentry
SocialApr 21, 2026

Progress MS-32 Undocks, Set for South Pacific Reentry

The Progress MS-32 cargo ship undocked from the aft port on Zvezda at 2208 UTC Apr 20. The deorbit burn was due to occur at 0114 UTC Apr 21 with reentry expected over the S Pacific at 0205 UTC.

By Jonathan McDowell
Northrop Grumman Unveils Tailless F/A-XX Naval Fighter Concept
SocialApr 20, 2026

Northrop Grumman Unveils Tailless F/A-XX Naval Fighter Concept

F/A-XX Next Generation Naval Fighter Concept Video Emerges From Northrop Grumman We see a lot more of Northrop Grumman's F/A-XX tailless naval fighter concept in the new video, including some interesting features. https://t.co/sHnO9dq4xC

By Tyler Rogoway
Air Force Scraps RTX GPS Control Network Amid Delays
SocialApr 20, 2026

Air Force Scraps RTX GPS Control Network Amid Delays

Just in: Air Force cancels RTX’s ground-control network for the US’s next generation of GPS satellites after years of delays and cost overruns https://t.co/fCp7EVCZtz

By Tony Capaccio
Progress MS-32 Departs ISS, Begins Destructive Re‑entry
SocialApr 20, 2026

Progress MS-32 Departs ISS, Begins Destructive Re‑entry

Progress MS-32 departed the ISS for a destructive plunge into the Earth's atmosphere. FULL HISTORY OF THE MISSION: https://t.co/enMBZ6EjHi

By Anatoly Zak
Missing Upper‑Stage Deorbit Details Highlight Risk Transparency Gap
SocialApr 20, 2026

Missing Upper‑Stage Deorbit Details Highlight Risk Transparency Gap

Hmm. No mention of the upper stage deorbit. No risk assessment. I get it. It’s corporate text, because damage mitigation, but still. Would have been nice.

By Felix Schlang
Low‑Thrust BE‑3U May Extend
SocialApr 20, 2026

Low‑Thrust BE‑3U May Extend

Question for those more expert on rocket engines than me: if the BE-3U fires at low thrust, does the stage try to fire longer to compensate? How plausible that it fired the normal amount and had prop left over for...

By Jonathan McDowell
Reusability, Not Fuel, Drives Falcon 9 Cost Savings
SocialApr 20, 2026

Reusability, Not Fuel, Drives Falcon 9 Cost Savings

The fuel for a Falcon 9 launch costs only a few hundred thousand dollars, a tiny fraction of a roughly $70 million mission. The expensive part used to be throwing away the rocket. Reusability is what changed the economics and drove...

By Peter H. Diamandis
Stopping Routine Projects Sparks Unprecedented Rapid Innovation
SocialApr 20, 2026

Stopping Routine Projects Sparks Unprecedented Rapid Innovation

Today is Innovation Week Demo Day at Boom Last week we stopped all regularly scheduled projects and everyone worked in small teams to build whatever they thought most important. The result is unhinged. I’ve never seen this pace of good, important work....

By Blake Scholl
Progress MS-34 Cleared, Prepped for Soyuz Launch April 22
SocialApr 20, 2026

Progress MS-34 Cleared, Prepped for Soyuz Launch April 22

Progress MS-34 cargo ship went through final inspection and was rolled inside payload fairing, ahead of its integration with the Soyuz rocket on April 22, according to Roskosmos. Context: https://t.co/7CRrXKhOEn https://t.co/L5U5JOljRS

By Anatoly Zak
Space Force Confirms BlueBird 7 Reentry on April 20
SocialApr 20, 2026

Space Force Confirms BlueBird 7 Reentry on April 20

DEORBIT - Space Force just issued a decay notice for BlueBird 7, saying it reentered on Apr 20 (with no further details)

By Jonathan McDowell
Sat in Christina Koch’s Chair at NASA Quarantine
SocialApr 20, 2026

Sat in Christina Koch’s Chair at NASA Quarantine

The Astronaut Crew Quarters at Kennedy Space Center and got to sit in the chair that THE Christina Koch sat. What a day 🤩 The ACQ is the place where the astronauts quarantine right before a launch. They start their quarantine...

By Joan Marie (YourFemaleEngineer)
DOD FY2027 Budget Briefings Scheduled for Tomorrow
SocialApr 20, 2026

DOD FY2027 Budget Briefings Scheduled for Tomorrow

DOD will hold bfgs on the FY2027 budget request tmrw (Apr 21) that will air on https://t.co/tVXSOxBvtY and DVIDS (https://t.co/uhZDZ6OWxF). The bfg on DOD's overall budget is at 10:00 am ET. The Department of the Air Force (which includes the...

By Marcia Smith
NASA Suit Report Highlights Commercial LEO Destination Debate
SocialApr 20, 2026

NASA Suit Report Highlights Commercial LEO Destination Debate

This line in the new OIG report on NASA's next-generation spacesuits is interesting in light of the recent debate about commercial LEO destinations. https://t.co/xWmu75FG2y https://t.co/Z6Zzd7s7em

By Eric Berger
Panasonic Avionics Targets 202
SocialApr 20, 2026

Panasonic Avionics Targets 202

Panasonic Avionics in 2027 plans to offer a “truly global” multi-network LEO satellite-powered IFC solution — including across G7 and BRICS countries — by pairing two LEO-only ESAs atop aircraft fuselages to support service from OneWeb and China’s Spacesail. https://t.co/lKUdtEPHvt

By Mary Kirby
Space Force Releases Likely Bogus BB7 Search Orbit Data
SocialApr 20, 2026

Space Force Releases Likely Bogus BB7 Search Orbit Data

Well this is REALLY WEIRD. Space Force just issued another BB7 orbit with an epoch of 1235 UTC yesterday and a nominal orbit of 455 x 462 km x 49.5 deg. I suspect this orbit is BOGUS and is a...

By Jonathan McDowell
Air Force Extends Three A‑10 Squadrons Through 2030
SocialApr 20, 2026

Air Force Extends Three A‑10 Squadrons Through 2030

The Air Force will extend three A-10 squadrons, the service announces today. One Moody active duty squadron and one Whiteman reserve squadron to 2030, plus another Moody squadron to 2029, according to the service. https://t.co/pNrdLnWk15

By Brian Everstine
El Salvador Launches World's Largest Dual‑type Aircraft Hangar
SocialApr 20, 2026

El Salvador Launches World's Largest Dual‑type Aircraft Hangar

El Salvador just opened the biggest airplane maintenance hangar in the world.. They cut the ribbon on Hangar 7 at AEROMAN last week. Now the place has 65 lines and can work on both narrowbodies like A320s and proper widebodies...

By Fahad Naim
From Wagons to Starships: Private Wealth Drives Space
SocialApr 20, 2026

From Wagons to Starships: Private Wealth Drives Space

The difference today vs. 1972: we built the Conestoga wagon with Starship, and there is now enough wealth in the hands of single individuals to keep space exploration going, independent of any government.

By Peter H. Diamandis
Ultra‑thin 3D‑printed Astronaut Suit Dazzles at Festival
SocialApr 20, 2026

Ultra‑thin 3D‑printed Astronaut Suit Dazzles at Festival

3D Printed Astronaut suit buy it is so thin 😂🫣 work by hueforge spotted at @rockymountainreprapfestival #3dprinting #artemis #astronauts

By Osman Dogan Yirmibesoglu Threads
Artemis II Unites Global Audience Through YouTube Live
SocialApr 20, 2026

Artemis II Unites Global Audience Through YouTube Live

When @NASA's Artemis II crew splashed down in the Pacific, they not only completed a 10-day historic mission, but also captured the world’s imagination and united a global community on @YouTube. Over the course of their journey, NASA's official YouTube broadcast...

By Neal Mohan
Southwest Sells “Window” Seats that Have No Windows
SocialApr 20, 2026

Southwest Sells “Window” Seats that Have No Windows

Southwest Is Now Charging For Window Seats That Don’t Have Windows - View from the Wing https://t.co/9X0pmiwzdU

By Gary Leff
Boeing Exec Discusses Supply Chain, AI, Future Pilot Training
SocialApr 20, 2026

Boeing Exec Discusses Supply Chain, AI, Future Pilot Training

Great to catch up today with @Boeing Global Services Chief (and proud @Aerosociety Fellow) Chris Raymond to talk everythibg fron supply chain crunches, navigating AI hype and next gen pilot training. #avgeek https://t.co/rcOrsIXkz2

By Tim Robinson
New Wings, New Firepower: H‑60 Black Hawk Upgrade
SocialApr 20, 2026

New Wings, New Firepower: H‑60 Black Hawk Upgrade

The H-60 Black Hawk Gunship Evolves With New Wings And Weapons We get a close-up look and tour of the next H-60 armed Black Hawk evolution. Check out the video: https://t.co/pOKDMPODHO

By Tyler Rogoway
Hubble Already Turns Its Lens Toward Earth
SocialApr 20, 2026

Hubble Already Turns Its Lens Toward Earth

What if NASA aimed Hubble at the Earth? Well they kind of already do… #space #nasa #hubble #astronomy #astrokobi

By Kobi Brown
Navy Admiral Announces F/A-XX Fighter Selection by August
SocialApr 20, 2026

Navy Admiral Announces F/A-XX Fighter Selection by August

CNO gave us an answer to our question this AM: F/A-XX Stealth Fighter Selection To Finally Come By August: Navy’s Top Admiral After being stalled in procurement purgatory, the Navy is set to move forward with its carrier-based 6th generation fighter. https://t.co/RiYA3Valtp

By Tyler Rogoway
MDA Space Secures Major Airbus Antenna Order for OneWeb Refresh
SocialApr 20, 2026

MDA Space Secures Major Airbus Antenna Order for OneWeb Refresh

.@MDA_space, which supplied 2,000 antenas for @EutelsatGroup 650 Gen 1 OneWeb satellites, has won repeat order from @AirbusSpace for more than 880 Ka-band steerable antennas and 440 Ku-band user replacement antennas as part of 440-sat OneWeb Gen 1 refresh. https://t.co/Qm92DFyItN

By Peter B. de Selding
Jet‑Powered JDAM Gives Super Hornets Low‑Cost Standoff Strike
SocialApr 20, 2026

Jet‑Powered JDAM Gives Super Hornets Low‑Cost Standoff Strike

Jet-Powered JDAM Tested From Navy Super Hornet F/A-18s have trialed the JDAM-LR, a powered evolution of the JDAM that offers a relatively cheap cruise missile-like standoff strike capability. https://t.co/3pcbzwhYDf

By Tyler Rogoway
RECARO Unveils AI Voice-Controlled Lie‑Flat Seat
SocialApr 20, 2026

RECARO Unveils AI Voice-Controlled Lie‑Flat Seat

RECARO Aircraft Seating is so confident in its new 'AI-powered seat control by voice' feature for lie-flats that it allowed journalists to test it at Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg. VIDEO: RECARO reveals AI-powered seat control for R7 premium seat https://t.co/UZtj6Oe8vG https://t.co/AnG87SxjUu

By Mary Kirby
ASTS Payload Misplacement: Wrong Orbit Demands De‑orbit Plan
SocialApr 20, 2026

ASTS Payload Misplacement: Wrong Orbit Demands De‑orbit Plan

Success? They put their $ASTS payload into the wrong orbit. How will that be de-orbited?

By Walt Piecyk
Peach Aviation Shows Airlines Can Eliminate Fuel Surcharges
SocialApr 20, 2026

Peach Aviation Shows Airlines Can Eliminate Fuel Surcharges

Airlines are now emailing passengers to alert them that they won't be charging fuel surcharge fees. But, if Peach Aviation, a low cost Asian carrier, can figure out how not to charge customers for fuel surcharges, surely other airlines can...

By Lola Méndez