China Has Far Fewer Operational Satellites than Claimed
I see stories out today saying that China has 1,900 satellites. That's not true. Even if you include all Chinese satellites (commercial, military, civil), it only adds up to 1,187 operational satellites. In comparison, the US has 11,323 operational satellites. It is true that China has almost 500 surveillance satellites (430), which compares to 525 for the US. See for yourself. China's Operational Satellites https://t.co/A7BqsP2Q4k
Limited B‑52 Fleet Hampers Engine, Radar Upgrade Scheduling
Small B-52 Fleet Size Creates Challenges For Engine, Radar Upgrade Plans With just some B-52s equipped for the nuclear mission and all of them in high demand around the globe, finding time to install the upgrades is an issue. ...
Info on 1st Multi-Domain Task Force Being Suppressed
There seems to have been a general attempt to restrict information about the whole 1st Multi-domain Task Force that operates Typhon and Dark Eagle. https://t.co/odFObLuaEz
Five Years On, Aviation Workers Still Feel Pandemic’s Shadow
The long shadow of Covid - how 5 years year on from the pandemic - some aviation professionals are still struggling to cope. Only in March 2026 AEROSPACE https://t.co/Mpa5ZPsFX8 https://t.co/KDDHedHkBp
PM Pre-Announces Black Hawk as NMH Winner
For the full Whitehall #NMH chaos experience, we now need a prescheduled tweet from the PM saying that he "is delighted to announce the winner of New Medium Helicopter is the Black Hawk"
Boost SLS Cadence, Cancel EUS, Keep Boeing Satisfied
I wonder if the way to speed up production of SLS, cancel EUS AND keep contractors (Boeing) happy to avoid a lawsuit is to simply order up more SLS rockets at a premium for cadence to offset the contract loss.
Artemis Announcement Signals Needed Shift After Years of Neglect
Today's Artemis announcement by Jared Isaacman is bold and necessary. Astute observers have recognized serious flaws in Artemis for years, but NASA officials have largely whistled beyond the graveyard. Now, possibly, that could change.
NASA Plans Annual Artemis Flights, Simplified Moon Missions
A significant announcement coming from nasa right now about Moon landings. Simplifying the rocket/spaceship, increasing the number of Artemis flights, and launching them at least once per year. Meanwhile the SLS rocket is back in the barn getting its helium...
Dragon CRS-33 Completes Deorbit, Trunk Jettison, Splashdown
The Dragon CRS-33 cargo ship made its deorbit burn around 0652 UTC Feb 27, and jettisoned the Boost Trunk at about 0710 UTC. The Trunk reentered over the Pacific near 127W 25N at ca. 0725-0730 UTC and the CRS-33 capsule...
Which Rocket Will Carry Orion to LEO for Artemis III?
So the big question, what rocket is going to launch Orion into LEO for Artemis III?! 👀 certainly they won’t waste an SLS rocket for a LEO mission.
Jared Isaacman Unveils Major Overhaul of Artemis Program
NASA's Jared Isaacman just announced sweeping changes to the Artemis Program. Here's what is happening: https://t.co/Hq3zpK2fv2
NASA to Standardize SLS Near Block 1, Boost Flight Rate
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman announces at a briefing this morning plans to standardize the SLS to a "near Block 1" configuration (no Block 1B) as part of efforts to increase flight rate.
Cold War Lunar Lander Reappears After 55 Years
55 YEARS AGO: The Soviet lunar lander for a single cosmonaut reappears in the Earth's orbit. Details on the site (subscription)... https://t.co/aJuVReTuyb
Is DEI in Aviation Dead? A New Magazine Probe
Is #DEI in aviation now DOA? One of the features in the latest (March) issue of AEROSPACE magazine #avgeek https://t.co/Mpa5ZPsFX8 https://t.co/lCIQE962vX
An-225 Remains Wrecked; Rebuild Hopes Remain Uncertain
Latest images of the An-225 at Hostomel.... the world’s largest plane has been a burned out wreck since the 2022 invasion. No restoration, just remains. Ukraine still talks about building a new one, but it’s not happening yet. The original is...
Russia's Invasion Wrecked the Iconic An-225, Now a Memorial
FYI, these are the horrible fatal wounds inflicted by Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine on the world’s greatest cargo aircraft, the Antonov An-225 Mriya. This is what we saw when we returned to the Hostomel airfield after the Russians were defeated...
First Demo Flight Launches K2Space High-Power MEO Constellation
.@SES_Satellites: 1st demo flight for future multi-mission MEO constellation using @K2SpaceCo's big, high-power buses launches this spring. @defis_eu @esa.https://t.co/yVAGU89DCy https://t.co/sZUmRowhGb
White House Official Vows Renewed Airline Scrutiny
White House official vows 'new interest' in airline industry after he and his wife experience flight woes https://t.co/WpgFmU0doS
Virgin Australia Grows Profits Despite Rising Cost Pressures
Virgin Australia delivers strong profit growth despite rising cost pressures as it remains disciplined about capacity https://t.co/DtndubwGs8
Starship V3 Lands Twice,
Two clean soft landings in the Indian Ocean for Starship v3 until we can expect a catch. The rule is still in place. Earliest for a ship catch: Flight 14 👍
Israeli‑Indian Weapons Decimated Pakistan Proxy, Yielding Critical Data
100% agree @ShivAroor @AdityaRajKaul Israeli and Israeli-India systems were used to dominate the Pakistan Chinese proxy military during Operation Sindoor. Weapons such as IAI Harop kamikaze drone, Elbit SkyStriker loitering munition (India–Israel production), Rafael SPICE precision-guidance kits, IAI/Elbit Rampage air-to-surface missile,...
FAA Shuts Texas Airspace After Laser Downed Government Drone
FAA closes airspace in Fort Hancock, Texas after reported use of anti-drone laser believed to have accidentally shot down a US government drone https://t.co/ACBL6Fs5jm
Roscosmos Completes Solar Array Tests, Site 31 Repairs Near Finish
Roskosmos reports completion of solar array tests in the ongoing Progress MS-33 launch campaign in Baikonur, while construction crews are finishing repairs at Site 31: https://t.co/mN4Hi2mIUG https://t.co/ih3V7RDbih
EA-37B Compass Call Jams Enemy Comms, Cripples Kill Chains
This Is What The EA-37B Compass Call Electronic Attack Jet Can Actually Do The EA-37B is meant to disrupt enemy communications, playing havoc on their command and control and shattering their kill chains. Full interview with its makers: https://t.co/TeN3vqd4ot
EC‑130H Compass Call: Unsung Hero of Maduro Capture
Outside of the obvious platforms, the one aircraft that likely had the most impact overall on the success of Operation Absolute Resolve that saw the capture of Maduro was the EC-130H Compass Call. It is the king 'discombobulator' that few...
User Seeks ID: Possible Starlink Antenna, Not RCS Block
Which smarty McSmarty pants out there can tell me what exactly this is. I assume Starlink antenna based on its general shape, but I want it to be a pop out RCS block cuz that’d be sick 😂 (it’s not)...
Missed Feb 19 ISS Boost, Thanks Katya for the Heads‑up
I had missed this ISS orbit boost on Feb 19, thanks Katya for keeping an eye on these
U.S. Space Force Plans Offensive Satellite Use Against China
U.S. Space Force looking to offensive use of satellites in any future space battle with China. https://t.co/8p2HpilCCx
CRS-33 Dragon Cargo Ship Undocks, Splashdown Expected Tomorrow
Dragon cargo ship CRS-33 undocked from IDA-2 at 1705 UTC Feb 26. Splashdown off the California coast is expected around 0744 UTC Feb 27.
Senate Commerce Schedules NASA Deputy Admin Hearing March 5
Senate Commerce will hold a nomination hrg for Matt Anderson to the NASA Deputy Admin (and one other non-NASA nominee) on Thursday, March 5, 10:00 am ET. Webcast.
Pentagon Readies Kamikaze Drone Unit for Potential Trump‑ordered Iran Strike
Just in: The Pentagon’s first kamikaze drone unit is ready to participate if President Donald Trump decides to launch strikes on Iran, according to US officials and analysts. https://t.co/DOPGwxi339
Neutron Launch Delayed to Q4 2026 After Tank Test Failure
From the earnings release: “Updated the Neutron development schedule following the stage 1 tank test failure, with Neutron’s first launch now targeted for Q4 2026.”
Join Denver Open House: See Historic Jet & R&D
We're holding an XB-1 and Boom Manufacturing Open House Thursday March 5th at our Denver manufacturing HQ. Meet the team, see the jet that made history, and tour our engine R&D shop. If you'd like an invitation fill out the form👇
New Video Explores Starship HLS Refuel Reduction Strategies
I just cut out 7 pages of script from my Artemis deep dive to make a full standalone run down on what SpaceX could potentially do with Starship HLS to try and reduce the number of refilling trips, including the...
Passive EO/IR Sensors Threaten Manned Combat Aircraft
Passive EO/IR sensors are a real bitch to contend with for manned combat aircraft. It was fully known that the Houthis had this capability and employed it with missiles for years. Fully integrated IADS with advanced IRST etc is really...
Modular Software Lets You Swap Brains, Even Tom Cruise
Open, modular, and interoperable software is critical. You don't want systems to be stuck with the brain they shipped with, and it isn't hard to imagine reasons why you might want to support totally novel/specialized agents. Next, downloading Tom Cruise...
Drones Redefine Modern Warfare: Emerging Tactics Explored
Good discussion on how the war evolved, the role of drones, what is novel or perhaps new. https://t.co/ZKWx3h4J6D
China’s Spy Satellite Surge Forces Space Force to Strike
China’s Growing Armada Of Spy Satellites Is Pushing Space Force To Go On The Offensive "You can't run away from a bully forever. Sometimes you got to turn around and punch," Space Force Combat Forces boss says. https://t.co/bcXu5Jsyyp
US Chipmakers Turn to Sunrise Metals Amid Scandium Shortage
U.S. semiconductor manufacturers are feeling the pinch from Chinese restrictions on scandium exports, @Reuters reports, underscoring the importance of @SunriseMetals’ Syerston Scandium Project as an essential supplier to key U.S. industries. “U.S. chipmakers have experienced delays in receiving new scandium export licenses from...
GPS Satellite Ready for Launch, Vehicle Still Undecided
The next GPS satellite is at Cape Canaveral, preparing for launch. Whether it flies on Vulcan or Falcon 9 is up in the air. https://t.co/XxmkgevJk3
When Pilots Overlook Red Flags: Unpacking the Why
Why Do Pilots Ignore Red Flags? Captains Speaking Episode 28 #aviation #airplane #pilot #planes #mentourpilot
NASA Announces Artemis II Next Steps in Tomorrow’s Conference
NASA will hold a news conference tomorrow, Friday, Feb 27, at 10:00 am ET at KSC to discuss next steps for the Artemis II campaign. Watch on YouTube. https://t.co/G97rjQNnsk
NASA Mars Spacecraft Contract Competition Heats Up
The contest for the contract to build NASA’s next Mars spacecraft is getting spicy. 🌶️ https://t.co/RhlVdkCXDG
Overture Launches First Brand-New Jet in 15 Years
Remarkably, Overture is first all-new airliner since inflight WiFi was invented. If this seems insane, remember that Boeing and Airbus quit developing new jets about 15 years ago. (Yes this is even more insane.)
Orbital Data Centers: AI Power Solution or $50B Gamble
Can orbital data centers solve AI’s massive power crisis? Tech titans like Musk, Bezos, and Pichai are betting on $51B satellite networks to move AI processing off-planet. The goal: Unlimited, 24/7 solar power. Is it a brilliant move or a...
Training Turns Sensor Failure Into Safe Space Docking
Flying a spaceship up to dock with a space station is an extreme event. During this docking with Mir our range sensors failed, so we had to use eyeball visuals & a stopwatch to figure the angles & speeds. Hit...
Overture's Built‑In WiFi Eliminates Bumps and Fuel Burn
Fun fact: we are designing WiFi into Overture, so there will be no bump at all and no fuel burn impact.
ExecuJet Haite Gains Multi‑Authority Certification for G700 Maintenance
ExecuJet Haite Aviation Services China Co., Ltd (ExecuJet Haite) has secured certifications from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) and Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) to perform line and heavy maintenance on the Gulfstream G700. The...
Flydubai Posts $531m Profit, Hits Record Passengers
flydubai posts US$531m profit after tax for FY2025, reinforcing the momentum behind its expanding network strategy. The Dubai-based carrier reported US$591m pre-tax profit on revenues of US$3.7b, up 6% year-on-year. A record 15.7 million passengers flew with the airline, with Business...
China Masks Taiwan Drill Drones as Belarus Cargo Plane
Interesting read: How China is masking drone flights in potential Taiwan rehearsal -including as a Belarusian cargo plane on aircraft tracking sites https://t.co/1kOmwyYslj