ESA, CNES Pour $1.16B Into Guiana, Sparking European Port Concerns
.@ESA & @CNES sign off on 3-yr, $1.16-billion investment in Europe's Guiana Space Center @EuropeSpacePort. @SaxaVord_Space @AndoyaSpace @SSCspace and other new spaceports in Europe ask: What about us? @defis_eu. https://t.co/AgSS1mPRDs https://t.co/fCWJ3mffl0
AIAA Releases Third Edition of Orbital Safety Guide
AIAA and partners are out with a third edition of "Orbital Safety Best Practices for Satellite Operators."
NASA Artemis Video Sparks In-Depth Physics Breakdown
When @nasa posts a cool #artemis video, I have to do a #physics analysis (extra homework included) https://rjallain.medium.com/the-physics-of-artemis-ii-video-analysis-of-the-orion-esm-separation-3307efb06139?sk=80caf4cceae9940c0f835d2cb3da1e04
Starship Launch Critical for US Space Future
The stakes for this week's Starship launch are high. The US commercial space industry is depending on lower launch costs and higher capacity. NASA’s lunar ambitions, to a great degree, hinge on its success. And the stakes are highest of...
ASTS Faces Revenue Miss and $155M Satellite Write‑Off
⚠️ $ASTS Red Flags: • Q1 2026 revenue miss of $24.27M against consensus, despite significant YoY growth, raises questions about commercialization pace. • Loss of Block 2 BB7 satellite post-Q1, leading to a $155M-$160M write-off in Q2, indicates significant operational and launch...
SMILE to Capture First X‑ray View of Earth’s Magnetic Shield
SMILE is set to make the first X-ray observations of Earth’s magnetic shield, capturing how solar wind and plasma blasts hit the boundary that deflects charged particles. spaceweather
Rocket Tests Need Massive Thrust, Not Static Explosions
For everyone who thinks the recent explosion near Beit Shemesh in Israel is "too big" to be a static test of a solid rocket motor ... rockets require tons of thrust (literally) to reach space. Watch a US test, for...
Space: Humanity’s Endless Frontier for Unbounded Innovation
I think SpaceX looks cheap at $2 trillion to be honest. Humanity needs a frontier. The American west, and my home state California, used to be that frontier. People came here to escape the ossifying society and culture of the...
Soyuz History Revealed: MS-14 Sensor Issue Prompted Fleet Upgrade
Added exclusive details on the Soyuz technical history to several recent missions, including on the MS-14 sensor issue that triggered fleet-wide upgrades ( subscription). Updates: https://t.co/XhCB1BA3vO https://t.co/DhKPqjie32
Avio Urges ESA to Fund Existing Rockets, Not New Ones
.@Avio_Group: @esa should invest more to boost Vega, Ariane rockets' flight rates to meet surging demand rather than in seeding years-long development of new rockets. Co reports 19% increase in rev in Q1, 30% increase in EBITDA. @defis_eu @ArianeGroup.https://t.co/UJzPW5vesN https://t.co/JDGQ9PwOLR
Stratospheric Tests Validate SAR, InSAR, and MTI Performance
"The associated tests will evaluate the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery, interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) mapping, and moving target indication (MTI) capabilities from the stratosphere." https://t.co/pASbITCiiZ
Axiom Launches Japan Subsidiary Led by Ex‑JAXA Astronaut
Axiom is establishing a wholly owned subsidiary in Japan, Axiom Space Japan, led by former JAXA astronaut Koichi Wakata. He spent 504 days 18 hours in space over 5 missions, retiring from JAXA on March 31, 2024 and joining Axiom...
Boeing Revives New Narrowbody to Rival A321neo
Boeing is seriously restarting work on a brand-new narrowbody aircraft... its biggest new program since the 787 Dreamliner. This jet is designed to challenge Airbus’s dominant A321neo. It will be larger than the 737 MAX 10 and close in size...
Xi Commits to 200 Boeing Jets, Exceeding Boeing’s Ask
News: @POTUS tells @FoxNews @seanhannity China's Xi agreed to order 200 Boeing jets: "Boeing wanted 150, he got 200" Published reports had suggested China would order 500 plus planes https://t.co/L8kJ4wTfgt
Perfect Spacewalk Glove Fit Requires Custom Modeling, Trimmed Nails
Testing the fit of spacewalking gloves. My hands are in a low-pressure chamber, to see if the gloves will bulge too much during a spacewalk. I was lucky - when @nasa was making the new gloves, my hands were used...
Boeing Ordered to Pay $49.5M for Single MAX Fatality
Boeing Hit With $49.5 Million Verdict For One 737 MAX Death — Why It Was So High https://t.co/xyHMn7nXbR
Landspace's Zhuque-2E Stretched Rocket Successfully Orbits 2.8‑ton Payload
On May 14 at 0300 UTC, Landspace launched Zhuque-2E flight Y5, introducing a new stretched version of this methalox launch vehicle. It placed a 2800 kg dummy payload in orbit.
NASA Details Artemis III Plan: Spacer, Longer Orion Stay, HLS Docking
NASA Outlines Preliminary Artemis III Mission Plans. https://t.co/qhj0gZvuhe Will use a "spacer" in place of ICPS, circular low Earth orbit, crew will spend more time in Orion than Artemis II, dock with both HLS "pathfinders," maybe enter one. Maybe cubesats.
Delaying Artemis III May Enable More Moon‑Ready Vehicle
NASA wants to fly Artemis III next year. But the longer NASA waits to fly Artemis III, the better chance it will have to fly with a higher-fidelity vehicle—that is, one closer to landing on the Moon than being a...
Laser Links Carry Data, Radio Secures Safety for Artemis2
Laser data links handled all the HD video and science data during NASA's recent #Artemis2 mission. This freed radio to be devoted to safety-critical telemetry connections. The two systems' division of labor is the blueprint for future deep-space missions. https://spectrum.ieee.org/free-space-optical-communication-artemis?share_id=9491502
SpaceX Targets May 19 for First Starship V3 Launch
"SpaceX announced May 12 that it is planning a launch of the first Starship version 3 vehicle as soon as May 19 from its Starbase facility in South Texas. Liftoff is planned for 6:30 p.m. Eastern." https://t.co/ms7b4TA9iP via @SpaceNews_Inc
SES Cancels Two Satellites, Trims OPEX, Insurance Woes Persist
.@SES_Satellites cancels 2 @Thales_Alenia_S software-defined sats in post-Intelsat-purchase synergy move, reduces opex by 9% in Q1 2026, still struggles with insurers on 2-yr-old O3b mPower insurance claim. https://t.co/77aSRgX07W https://t.co/qd6Iy2tz3O
Starlink's FCC Filings Reveal Realistic Per-Beam Spectral Efficiency
Starlink commitments to FCC on D2D spectral efficiency give a realistic view of what to expect when reusing spectrum across multiple beams: initial per beam efficiency is 0.3bps/Hz DL and 0.1bps/Hz UL, final efficiency is 0.6bps/Hz DL and 0.2bps/Hz UL...
Golden Dome’s $1.2T Price Tag Is Unsustainable
We have been saying this since the second this was announced. This will be incredibly costly to procure, but sustaining it will be absolutely bonkers.
CRS‑34 Launch Faces Only 20% Weather Go
SpX says the weather forecast for this evening's (May 12) CRS-34 cargo launch to the ISS is just 20% "go." Launch is at 7:16 pm ET. SpX webcast begins 20 min pre-launch. NASA coverage begins 7:00 pm ET. https://t.co/nCHB1NY6nc Backup...
USAF Develops Ship‑killing Hypersonic Missile for Pacific
New Version Of Bomber-Launched ARRW Hypersonic Missile Is A Ship Killer The USAF is moving to start work on a new ARRW variant able to hit moving targets with an eye toward future fights in the Pacific. https://t.co/Ha4IqOtVXL
Build Engineers Own Engine Modules From Concept To Test
Traditionally, engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain are siloed. Engineering throws drawings over the wall to mfg/supply chain. At Boom our Build Engineers are empowered—and own whole engine modules from concept through test stand.
Son Reveals Dark Childhood Fears of Jet Pioneer
"He thought his silly little boy would probably kill himself" - Sir Frank Whittle's son, Ian Whittle, recalls growing up with a genius in the family in new film #avgeek https://t.co/PZ96OhF4uC https://t.co/EYAm42nEES
Austria Scrambles Eurofighters After US Special Ops Incursion
U.S. Air Force Special Operations Aircraft Accused Of Austrian Airspace Incursion Austria says it scrambled Eurofighters two days in a row to intercept U.S. military aircraft, likely U-28As operated by Air Force Special Operations Command. https://t.co/7Q94ohzM3A
Bolt-M Autonomous VTOL Achieves 40‑minute Flight
Bolt-M: #Autonomous VTOL Air Vehicle With 40+ Minute Flight Time by @spaceandtech_ #Drone #EmergingTech #Technology #Innovation https://t.co/6LWTrD2BS4
Spirit's Double Bankruptcies Cost $110M, Left 17k Jobless
Spirit Airlines filed bankruptcy twice in one year and spent $110M+ on advisors. The first Chapter 11 cost $33M and changed nothing. The second is at $80M (still billing) and ended in liquidation. 17,000 employees out of a job. The advisors will...
AST SpaceMobile Aims for November Milestone, 45‑60 Birds Launching
"AST SpaceMobile ... expects to reach this milestone by November, according to a slide in its earnings presentation. It previously projected 45 to 60 of its next generation birds will launch this year." https://t.co/u3hzhbRey8 via @mobileworldlive
SpaceX Installs Starship Flight Termination System for May Launch
After Monday's WDR, SpaceX is destacking Starship to install its Flight Termination System ahead of a launch attempt next week, perhaps as soon as next Tuesday, May 19. https://t.co/7d8AbWKE4M
New Documentary Reveals Sir Frank Whittle’s Genius
Growing up Whittle - a new documentary offers an personal insight into the genius of Sir Frank Whittle #avgeek https://t.co/PZ96OhF4uC https://t.co/9yGSZFw21D
ExoMars Prototype Updated, Lander Visible in Background
New version of ExoMars prototype is emerging. Note the lander on the background of one photo:
Rigid Tactics Cripple Russia's R-37M/Su-35S Effectiveness
Russia pairs R-37M with Su-35S but rigid flight patterns, predictable airfields/routes & restrictive command-and-control authorisation requirements limit Russian air combat effectiveness. https://t.co/gxgwagC62I
Nigeria's Aviation Hit by Fuel Shortages, Soaring Oil Prices
JUST IN: Nigeria’s aviation sector is facing increased safety and operational issues from jet fuel shortages and rising oil prices.
Kratos Defense Sees 3:1 Book‑
.@KratosDefense: Space/satellite division posts 3:1 book to bill in Q1, says @USSpaceForce contract to manage MEO constellation opens market for company's OpenSpace platform. New DoD focus preferring today's 80% to tomorrow's 100% could be opening for parabolic antennas. https://t.co/fQgUrjYRqw
Spacesuit: A One‑Person Spaceship Inside a Fridge
Climbing into a spacewalking suit for a training session. I'm wearing padded long underwear full of cooling tubes. To get into the Orlan, you open the back like a fridge, perch in the door, hook up all connections, and slither...
AST's $30M Insurance Can't Cover $155M Loss
So if the satellite was only insured for $30M, how does AST claim on Apr 19 that "The cost of the satellite is expected to be recovered under the company’s insurance policy" but then disclose in the 10-Q that "The...
Great Circle Routes Are Shortest, Not Just Over Alaska
This is the worst explanation of great circle navigation I’ve ever seen. “A pilot can’t fly straight West to Asia, he has to fly over Alaska” False. Yes, the curved path from Seattle to Tokyo is significantly shorter because you’re following the curvature...
Boeing Faces Renewed Legal Risk; Consider Protective Puts
Boeing legal risk resurfaces as LOT alleges 737 MAX concealment, raising regulatory and litigation costs. Risk: more payouts, order headwinds. Trade: reduce BA exposure; buy protective puts. — Viktor Kopylov, PhD, CFA. More insights: t.me/si14Kopylov
Baiju Bhatt's Space Solar Dream Advances to New Level
I told you about @BaijuBhatt’s new dream to put solar collectors out in space and beam the power back to earth a year ago. He is a cool dude, gave us his expensive car to drive. So happy to see his...
Julie Johnsson Nails Boeing's Future Strategy in Final Piece
This masterfully reported piece on Boeing’s future product development strategy is Julie Johnsson’s final piece for @business. It’s also a pitch perfect example of why we’re so lucky to have her on @theaircurrent. https://t.co/v3n9VwiHfU
IFM Threatens to Pull $2.2bn SAF Investment without Mandate
IFM Investors Pty warned it may scrap a proposed A$3 billion ($2.2 billion) investment to make sustainable aviation fuel in Australia, unless the government mandates that airlines use the product. https://t.co/u1m4QDuPzx
$214M Funding Covers Only Four Months of Fuel Hikes
Just a gentle reminder that raising $214 million to "save Spirit" is enough for about four months of cash to cover just the INCREASE in jet fuel prices and nothing else. This is not a cheap business.
MQ‑9 Reaper Fires Laser‑Guided Rockets at Drones
MQ-9 Reaper Slings Drone-Killing Laser-Guided Rockets In Tests The MQ-9 successfully tested APKWS rockets against air and ground targets, as the demand for lower-cost counter-drone weapons surges. https://t.co/xrhkYcwR9F
Moscow Startup Plans First Distributed Solar Observatory Using Cubesats
Moscow-based small satellite developer proposes the "world's first distributed solar observatory" comprised of cubesats spread from Earth's orbit to Lagrange points. https://t.co/oSSdHr16A1
Spirit Cites Soaring Fuel Costs as Restructuring Blocker
Spirit blamed fuel costs as the reason its restructuring plan was no longer feasible https://t.co/gjBFYs8UrV
C‑5 Galaxy to Serve Until 2050 Amid 37% Readiness
C-5 Galaxies Now Slated To Keep Flying Until 2050 As Readiness Plummets To 37 Percent Nothing in the USAF's inventory can do what a C-5 can, but even after costly upgrades, they remain extremely temperamental. https://t.co/T1lpSeT0VN