Aerospace

Astroscale will build its Elsa-M satellite servicer for European customers and perhaps others with the goal of a late-2024 launch after a €14.8 million ($15.9 million) infusion via a European Space Agency and OneWeb alliance.

Space Systems Command on May 26 ordered eight launches from United Launch Alliance and SpaceX under the National Security Space Launch Phase 2 procurement program.

French startup VoltAero has been selected to conduct demonstration flights in the Netherlands and Germany with its Cassio 1 hybrid-electric propulsion testbed.

Airlines and lessors are increasingly vocal about Boeing aircraft delays.

Listen in as the University of Michigan’s aerospace engineering chair Dr. Anthony Waas and Aviation Week’s Graham Warwick discuss megatrends that are reshaping the industry with host Joe Anselmo.

The uncrewed flight test sets the stage for a shakedown flight with astronauts.

Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.

Reliable Robotics has hired Kevin Sagis as the autonomous aircraft systems company’s senior vice president and chief engineer.

U.S. startup Natilus is conducting wind tunnel tests of the initial regional feeder member of its planned family of blended wing body uncrewed cargo aircraft.

TEXTRON AVIATION announced all 20 of its service centers have achieved certification as part of the NATA's Sustainability Standard for Aviation

BAE SYSTEMS was selected by Pipistrel (Textron) to perform flight tests on its Electro Velis electric-powered light aircraft.

QATAR AIRWAYS won decision from UK Court for expedited trial against AIRBUS in dispute over alleged A350 surface degradation; but, Court rejected

THOMPSON AERO SEATING launched next-generation VantageXL lie-flat business class seat for 2023; upgrades include extended aisle-side privacy wing, new

AELIS was selected by AURA AERO to provide global marketing/sales, plus financing/leasing services, for 19-pax ERA hybrid-electric regional aircraft.

AIRBUS is establishing Zero Emission Development Centre (ZEDC) in Bristol, UK for developing hydrogen technologies, focusing on cost-competitive

MHI RJ AVIATION GROUP (MHIRJ) was selected by ZeroAvia to provide engineering services, aircraft integration and certification support for its

Airports Council International World has released a policy brief on advanced air mobility, advocating for a seamless integration of these new entrants into airports, alongside a knowledge center on drone risk mitigation to promote safe and secure operations at airports.

Joby Aviation has received its FAA Part 135 air carrier certificate, allowing it to begin aircraft operations ahead of the planned 2024 launch of commercial air taxi service with its S4 electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL) vehicle.

The pressure on the nascent advanced air mobility industry to move forward on certification is growing, including the industry’s focus on attracting regulatory experts as new hires.

Test flights of Australian-built scramjet-powered drone targets technology for space launch system and hypersonic defense applications.

A nearly $500 million wave of funding shows investors are intrigued by the commercial opportunities of hypersonic flight.

Safety management system sits at the center of a push to change the company’s direction.

PURDUE UNIVERSITY signed 10-year, $75m strategic alliance agreement with Rolls-Royce to fund testing and research, with a focus on gas turbine

SpaceX continued its weekly launch pace with liftoff of a Falcon 9 rocket on May 25 carrying 59 small satellites and hosted payloads, marking the company’s fifth rideshare mission. Following launch at 2:35 p.m. from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, the rocket’s first stage returned to the launch site while the upper stage fired to place the Transporter-5 payloads into a preliminary polar orbit.

U.S. Sens. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) on May 23 introduced bipartisan legislation to help communities prepare for the eventual integration of advanced air mobility (AAM) technologies.