Breaking barriers: engine start-up Ursa Major powers US return to hypersonic flight
One of the Colorado manufacturer’s Hadley rocket engines propelled the Stratolaunch Talon-A test vehicle to speeds beyond Mach 5 in May, the first US-made aircraft to hit that mark since the 1960s.
General Atomics testing remotely piloted flight with satellite network key to polar operations
The uncrewed aircraft manufacturer says it has completed two test flights of a Gray Eagle 25M controlled remotely via a low-earth-orbit satellite network – technology that could allow expanded range in polar regions.
Airbus absorbs A400M charge, as space sector losses prompt European consolidation push
Airbus Defence & Space has reported a loss of €566 million ($590 million) against its activities last year, with space activities and the A400M tactical transport having contributed to the deficit.
No more ‘must win competitions’ for Lockheed under de-risking strategy: CEO Taiclet
Chief executive James Taiclet says the defence giant has repositioned its portfolio of development programmes, including by accepting some short-term penalties in 2024 on a secretive aircraft development programme.
Russian museum to restore surviving orbiter from Buran shuttle programme
Ekaterinburg’s aviation and military museum complex is preparing to undertake restoration of an orbiter from the Soviet Union’s Buran space shuttle programme, six months after the vehicle’s arrival.
NASA completes first ever aircraft accident investigation on another planet
The US space agency and manufacturer AeroVironment will soon release a detailed review of the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter’s final flight, which came at the end of three years of operations that saw 72 sorties and 2h of flight on the Red Planet.
Airbus details 5% staff reduction target for defence and space unit
Airbus has detailed proposed reductions that will reduce the headcount of its defence unit by approximately 5% over the next 18 months, with just over 2,000 posts to be removed.
AVIC wins contract for winged, reusable spacecraft
China’s AVIC has secured a contract from the China Manned Space Agency to develop a winged, reusable spacecraft called Haolong.
Tyche ISR satellite launch boosts UK Space Command
The UK Space Command’s first owned earth observation microsatellite has been launched, providing the inaugural element of a planned space-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) constellation.
SpaceX wins contract to build vehicle for returning International Space Station to Earth
Orbital launch pioneer SpaceX is being contracted by the American space agency NASA to develop a so-called “US Deorbit Vehicle” that can safely return the International Space Station to Earth via controlled re-entry.