Spaceflight Now reports, “NASA officially selected United Launch Alliance’s Centaur 5 as the upper stage for its Space Launch System rocket starting with the Artemis 4 mission, scheduled to launch no earlier than early 2028. The Centaur 5 was developed as the upper stage of ULA’s Vulcan rocket. The launch vehicle flew four times since its debut in January 2024 and the upper stage performed well across all flights.”
Full Story (Spaceflight Now)
Author: Lawrence Garrett
Autonomous C-130J Program Reaches Design Review Milestone
Flying Magazine reports, “The U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) is one step closer to flying the C-130J Super Hercules—one of its workhorse tactical airlift and transport aircraft—with zero human input. Boston-based Merlin Labs on Thursday announced the completion of preliminary design review (PDR) for its C-130J Super Hercules autonomy program with USSOCOM, under which it is working toward demonstration flights with a modified Hercules.”
Full Story (Flying Magazine)
Japan’s Next-Generation HTV-X Cargo Vehicle Leaves ISS After Four Months
SPACE reports, “Japan’s new HTV-X cargo spacecraft departed the International Space Station today (March 6) after a four-month stay. The vehicle — known as HTV-X1, because it’s the first of its kind — was released by the station’s Canadarm2 robotic arm today at 12 p.m. EST (1700 GMT), right on schedule.”
Full Story (SPACE)
Video
JAXA’s uncrewed HTV-X1 cargo spacecraft departs from the ISS, after arriving Oct. 29, 2025.
NASA; YouTube
AIAA Announces 2026 Priority Issues to Advance U.S. Aerospace Leadership
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 9, 2026 – Reston, Va. – AIAA CEO Clay Mowry announced the 2026 Priority Issues confronting the aerospace industry spanning aviation, national security, research and development, and space domains. AIAA is the world’s largest aerospace professional society representing over 33,000 engineers and 100 corporate members. AIAA’s 2026 Priority Issues are designed to inform policymakers and industry leaders on the most pressing issues affecting U.S. aerospace competitiveness, leadership and safety.
“Preserving America’s leadership position in aerospace requires the modernization of our aviation infrastructure, investment in R&D, a resilient industrial base, and clear, responsible policy frameworks that enable innovation while protecting national security,” Mowry said. AIAA’s 2026 Priority Issues reflect those hard realities in an increasingly competitive global aerospace marketplace.”
2026 Priority Issues
Aviation
- Air traffic control and infrastructure modernization through sustained FAA Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) investment
- Advanced air mobility and autonomous flight integration
- Advanced materials and manufacturing technologies, including qualification, supply-chain, and workforce constraints
National Security
- Golden Dome for America/multi-layered defense readiness, including industrial-base, supply chain, and qualification standards
- Smart sustainment approaches to right-to-repair
- Acquisition reform to deliver capability at the speed of relevance
Research & Development
- R&D leadership and investment in laboratories and test infrastructure
- Internal research and development (IRAD) incentives and tax policy
- Academic ITAR and export-control modernization to protect the STEM pipeline
Space
- NASA budget growth, safety, and preserving science leadership
- The race to the Moon and Mars, including norms of behavior in cislunar space
- Space traffic management and space situational awareness for orbital safety
AIAA will engage with Congress, the administration, state and local officials throughout 2026 to provide technical expertise, standards development, and fora to support these priorities.
Media Contact: Rebecca Gray, [email protected], 804-397-5270 cell
About AIAA
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is the world’s largest aerospace technical society. With more than 33,000 individual members from 91 countries, and over 100 corporate members, AIAA brings together industry, academia, and government to advance engineering and science in aviation, space, and defense. For more information, visit www.aiaa.org, and follow AIAA on LinkedIn, Instagram, X/Twitter, and Facebook.
Embraer Projects Strong 2026 Output with Up to 255 Aircraft Deliveries
Aerotime reports, “Embraer is targeting up to 255 aircraft deliveries in 2026, comprised of 80 to 85 commercial aircraft and between 160 and 170 executive jets. On March 6, 2026, Embraer published details of its outlook for the rest of the year, as well as its financial performance in 2025, which included securing $7.5 billion in revenue.”
Full Story (Aerotime)
Podcast: Industry Leaders Discuss Texas’ Space Strategy at ASCENDxTexas
Space News reports, “In this episode of Space Minds, Jeff Foust moderates a panel at AIAA AscendxTexas on the role Texas is playing in the space economy. With a series of industry leaders they discuss the capabilities and strategies required to stay competitive especially amid global competition and accelerating demand.”
Full Story (Space News)
X-59 Low-Boom Aircraft Enters New Phase of Supersonic Flight Testing
Aviation Week takes the wraps off NASA’s Lockheed Martin-built X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft as preparations begin for envelope expansion tests.
Full Story (Aviation Week)
Senate Committee Approves Legislation Supporting NASA’s Artemis Lunar Campaign
Ars Technica reports, “During a brief hearing on Wednesday morning, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation spent only a few minutes ‘marking up’ new legislation that provides guidance to NASA for its various initiatives, including the Artemis program to land humans on the Moon. ‘Our bill authorizes critical funding for, and gives strategic direction to, the agency in line with the priorities of administrator Isaacman and the Trump administration,’ said the committee’s chairman, Sen. Ted Cruz, (R-Texas).”
Full Story (Ars Technica)
Pilatus Marks Milestone with First PC-12 PRO Aeromedical Delivery
Aerotime reports, “Swiss aircraft manufacturer Pilatus has delivered the world’s first PC-12 PRO in aeromedical configuration to Australia’s famed flying doctors. On March 4, 2026, Pilatus announced that the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia (RFDS) Central Operations had taken ownership of its first of five brand-new PC-12 PRO Aeromedical in a continuation of their 30-year partnership.”
Full Story (Aerotime)
Faculty Advisor Spotlight: Arif Malik, University of Texas at Dallas
FROM THE INSTITUTE
Arif Malik, an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD), was one of six faculty advisors selected to receive the 2025 AIAA Faculty Advisor Award in recognition of his extraordinary efforts in growing and mentoring the UTD student branch. Through his leadership, the student branch has strengthened its internal community while expanding collaboration with AIAA’s Region IV and other professional organizations.