Industry News

18 April 2019 Space News reports that “a Northrop Grumman Antares rocket successfully launched a Cygnus spacecraft April 17” at 4:46 p.m. local time from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport. The Cygnus carried “nearly three and a half metric tons of cargo bound for the International Space Station,” and it “separated from the Antares rocket’s upper

CNET News reports that NASA and Blue Origin “have signed an agreement that will provide Blue Origin access to the historic test stand and strengthen growth in the commercial space sector, NASA announced Wednesday.” Blue Origin CEO Bob Smith said in a press release, “Through this agreement, we’ll provide for the refurbishment, restoration and modernization of

CNET News reports that NASA is studying the lunar South Pole as part of its “plan to return astronauts to the moon within five years.” Although “the Apollo missions of the ‘60s and ‘70s all landed around the moon’s equator…the pole has” ice capable of extraction and use in various applications. NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for

16 April 2019 Reuters reports that United Continental Holdings Inc. announced Monday that it was removing flights operated using Boeing 737 MAX jets from its schedule “through early July.” The carrier has limited the number of cancellations to date by using Boeing 777 and 787 passenger jets to service its 737 MAX routes, but United Airlines

CNN reports that “NASA’s planet-hunting TESS mission has found its first Earth-size exoplanet,” dubbed HD 21749c, “in a star system only 53 light-years from Earth.” Researchers determined in a study “published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters on Monday” that the planet “completes an orbit of its host star every eight days,” and “the density suggests that

15 April 2019 Reuters reports that “the world’s largest aircraft took off over the Mojave Desert in California on Saturday, the first flight for the carbon-composite plane built by Stratolaunch Systems Corp.” The Roc aircraft “has a wingspan the length of an American football field and is powered by six engines on a twin fuselage.” The

15 April 2019 SPACE reported that on Thursday, NASA “announced that SpaceX will fly its Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) planetary-defense mission.” DART “will launch aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California in June 2021,” and it will have a “total launch cost for NASA” of “about $69 million, agency officials

Reuters reports that the FAA confirmed on Thursday that it will hold a meeting on Friday with airlines and pilot unions to discuss the 737 MAX. The FAA said that the purpose of the meeting is to help the agency “gather facts, information, and individual views to further understand their views as FAA decides what needs

The New York Times reports that researchers have published the results of the NASA Twins Study, which found both temporary and permanent changes to astronaut Scott Kelly’s biological makeup and genetic mutations. Researchers studied the impact of time spent in space by comparing astronaut Scott Kelly, who spent 340 days in space on the ISS, with his

SPACE reports that “SpaceX called off the much-anticipated second launch of its massive Falcon Heavy rocket on Wednesday (April 10) due to unacceptable wind conditions in the upper atmosphere.” In a Twitter post, SpaceX representatives said, “Standing down from today’s Falcon Heavy launch attempt; next opportunity is tomorrow, April 11.” The rescheduled Thursday launch “would occur

The Wall Street Journal reports that the FAA has created an international panel featuring regulators from the European Union, China, Canada, Brazil, the UAE, Indonesia, and others that will assess the Boeing 737 MAX’s safety certification and The Boeing Company’s software fix for the jet. Sources believe that the 737 MAX grounding could be lifted in early

Reuters reports that “search and rescue teams found wreckage from a Japanese F-35 stealth fighter that crashed over the Pacific Ocean close to northern Japan, but the pilot remains missing, authorities said on Wednesday.” An Air Self Defence Force (ASDF) spokesman said, “We recovered the wreckage and determined it was from the F-35.” More Info (Reuters)

CNET News reports that Alphabet’s startup Wing “on Tuesday launched its commercial drone delivery service in North Canberra, Australia.” The UAVs “will deliver fresh food, hot coffee and over-the-counter health products to customers’ homes within minutes, the company said.” In a blog post, the company said, “Wing has teamed up with local Canberra businesses to give

Aviation International News reports that Gulfstream set a new city-pair speed record after “the ultra-long-range G650ER flew” March 29 “from Singapore to Tucson, Arizona, in 15 hours and 23 minutes, with fuel in excess of NBAA IFR reserves, eclipsing the previous record set earlier last month by a Bombardier Global 7500 by 44 minutes.” The flight

The Orlando Sentinel reported that “SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket launch is officially scheduled for Tuesday night” with a launch window from 6:36 p.m. to 8:33 p.m. local time “from Kennedy Space Center’s launch pad 39A.” However, “the 45th Space Wing [weather] forecast from Patrick Air Force Base calls for just a 30% chance of the weather cooperating

FlightGlobal reported that “combat units of the Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighter fleet within the three US military services and eight international programme partners are on track to reach an 80% mission capability rate by September 2019.” In prepared testimony before the US House Armed Services Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee on April 4, Joint

FlightGlobal reports that manufacturer Piper Aircraft has launched its Pilot 100 and 100i entry-level trainers, “which are designed to plug a gap in the market from the growing training school sector for aircraft with ‘optimal acquisition and operating costs and economics.” The $259,000 “value-priced” trainers “are trimmed-down derivatives of the PA-28 Archer TX and feature a

CNET News reports that “NASA announced on Wednesday that Boeing will target August for the first uncrewed Orbital Flight Test of the CST-100 Starliner,” and “a crewed mission is unlikely to happen until late 2019.” Although “the Starliner spacecraft is close to completion and is designed to be reusable up to 10 times,” NASA has yet

CNET News reports that “early Tuesday morning, Elon Musk said on Twitter that the first test of a Raptor engine as part of Starship had been set back by ‘some challenges with ice formation in the cryogenic propellant prevalves. Hopefully overcome soon.’” SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket’s test firing also was delayed, but the rocket “is still

Reuters reports that the U.S. Air Force “said on Tuesday that it again stopped accepting deliveries of Boeing Co’s KC-46 tanker aircraft after finding foreign object debris in the planes.” USAF spokesperson Captain Hope Cronin said, “Our inspectors identified additional foreign object debris and areas where Boeing did not meet quality standards.” More Info (Reuters)

Reuters (4/1) reports that The Boeing Company announced Monday that it will submit its software patch for the 737 MAX “for FAA review once completed in the coming weeks.” The company added, “We will take a thorough and methodical approach to the development and testing of the update to ensure we take the time to get

The Washington Post reports that NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine “said Monday that the agency will need additional funding to meet a White House mandate to land people on the moon by 2024.” In remarks at a town hall meeting at NASA headquarters, Bridenstine said, “In the executive branch, people are very serious, we are going to the

FlightGlobal reported that “Japan’s air force stood up its first operational F-35A fighter squadron, the 302nd Tactical Fighter Squadron, on 29 March.” The nation joins the US and other military services “with operational F-35 squadrons.” Vice Admiral Mat Winter said, “This is a major milestone for the F-35 enterprise, as it marks the first F-35 IOC

CNET News reports that this week, SpaceX may ignite “Falcon Heavy, the biggest rocket currently in its stable, as well as its next-generation Starship, designed to eventually take passengers to Mars.” The opportunity for “so-called static or ‘hold down’ test firings of both rockets could take place as soon as…Monday, April 1 for Falcon Heavy.” SpaceX

SPACE reports on Vice President Pence’s remarks March 26 “during the fifth meeting of the National Space Council (NSC) at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama.” Pence said, “Make no mistake about it – we’re in a space race today, just as we were in the 1960s, and the stakes are even higher.”

The Houston Chronicle reports that “on Wednesday, NASA’s leader said that using a commercial rocket wasn’t feasible” for transporting humans to the moon. Administrator Jim Bridenstine added in remarks before the US House Appropriations Subcommittee, “I don’t think it’s in the cards to meet June 2020.” Bridenstine also concluded that using the Space Launch System rocket for

The Seattle Times reports that The Boeing Company is finalizing its “proposed software fix” for the 737 MAX 8, with flight tests “likely to begin this week.” The manufacturer “has invited airlines to order [the software fix] pending formal approval from the Federal Aviation Administration.” Boeing spokesman Gordon Johndroe said the software patch will be provided to

Reuters reported that “teams from the three U.S. airlines that own 737 MAX jets headed to Boeing Co’s factory in Renton, Washington, to review a software upgrade on Saturday, as U.S. regulators prepared to receive and review the fixes in coming weeks.” More Info (Reuters)

Reuters reported that “teams from the three U.S. airlines that own 737 MAX jets headed to Boeing Co’s factory in Renton, Washington, to review a software upgrade on Saturday, as U.S. regulators prepared to receive and review the fixes in coming weeks.” More Info (Reuters)

Spaceflight Now reported that “Northrop Grumman is gearing up for up to four launches this year at Wallops Island, Virginia, including two launches with Cygnus cargo ships heading to the International Space Station, and a pair of Minotaur rocket flights carrying classified payloads into orbit for the U.S. government’s spy satellite agency.” The USAF “confirmed plans

Space News reports that “Blue Origin has studied repurposing upper stages of its future New Glenn launch vehicle to serve as habitats or for other applications as part of a series of NASA-funded commercialization studies.” Blue Origin Vice President of Government Sales and Strategy Brett Alexander “said the company looked at ways it could make use

SpaceRef reports that “American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) members Col. Eileen Collins, Daniel Dumbacher, Sandra ‘Sandy’ Magnus, and Wanda Sigur will lend their expertise on human space exploration at the fifth meeting of the National Space Council on March 26 at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama.” AIAA Executive Director Emeritus

Reuters reports that The Boeing Company “has delayed by at least three months its first uncrewed flight to the International Space Station under NASA’s human spaceflight program, and pushed its crewed flight until November, industry sources said on Wednesday.” Initially scheduled for August, the crewed mission “will be delayed until November” following reports last month about

SPACE reports that on March 18, NASA officials said in remarks at a NASA town hall during the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference that the agency is seeking to land a rover on the moon by 2023. Science Mission Directorate Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration Steve Clarke said, “We’re trying to get to the moon with

Air Force Times reports that Northrop Grumman “last week launched a new campaign website focused on hypersonic defense as part of a broader push into the business area, where the Pentagon expects to spend more than $10 billion in the next five years to develop offensive and defensive capabilities.” Vice President, Missile Defense Solutions Kenn Todorov

Reuters reports that The Boeing Company unveiled a prototype fighter-like jet “developed in Australia and designed to fly alongside crewed aircraft in combat for a fraction of the cost.” The multi-role, uncrewed aircraft “is Australia’s first domestically developed combat aircraft since World War II.” Boeing did not specify a dollar amount for the jet, but it

CBS News reports that NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft “flying in close formation with a tiny asteroid named Bennu, has found clear signs of water-rich clays on its rock-strewn surface, as well as another mineral – magnetite – that forms in aqueous environments, project scientists said Tuesday.” OSIRIS-REx “also observed repeated outbursts that send small particles and pebbles

ExecutiveGov reports that “the U.S. Air Force Laboratory’s composites branch partnered with the University of Miami, Louisiana Tech University, University of Arkansas and the University of Texas to highlight the application of 3D printed carbon fiber and epoxy components on air and spacecraft structures.” The USAF indicated that additive printing “supports the integration of metal and

FlightGlobal reports that Australia “will obtain four modified Gulfstream G550 business jets that will be modified for the electronic warfare (EW) mission in the USA.” In a deal worth $1.7 billion, “the aircraft will be designated the MC-55A Peregrine, [said] a joint statement from Australia’s defence minister and the country’s minister for defence industry.” Australian Defence

Reuters reports that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) “is investigating the Federal Aviation Administration’s approval of Boeing Co’s 737 MAX jetliners, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday, citing people familiar with the probe.” The DOT inquiry began “in the wake of October’s Lion Air accident that killed 189 people and is being conducted by

BBC News Online (UK) reported that Reaction Engines’ “project to develop a hypersonic engine that could take a plane from London to Sydney in about four hours is set for a key demonstration.” The company’s Sabre engine “is part jet, part rocket, and relies on a novel pre-cooler heat-exchanger technology.” The ESA-approved review “sets the stage

Aviation Week reports that beginning March 27, “air navigation service providers (ANSPs) in the UK and Canada later this month will start a joint trial of space-based surveillance of aircraft flying over the North Atlantic, a capability that will deliver immediate safety and capacity benefits for oceanic travel.” More Info (Aviation Week)

Space News reports that “a day after announcing that NASA was studying the possibility of shifting an Orion mission from the Space Launch System rocket to commercial vehicles, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said he and the agency still support development of the SLS.” Bridenstine said in remarks at a Space Transportation Association luncheon held March 14,

Spaceflight Now reports that “United Launch Alliance ground crews are putting the final touches” on a 218-foot-tall Delta 4 rocket scheduled for liftoff at 6:56 EDT Friday evening from Cape Canaveral with a USAF 10th Wideband Global SATCOM communications satellite payload. The satellite “will relay high-data-rate communications in X-band and Ka-band frequencies during a mission expected

Reuters reports that FAA Acting Administrator Dan Elwell said in “a conference call with reporters that the ‘black boxes’ from Sunday’s Ethiopian Airlines plane crash are headed to France later on Wednesday.” Elwell “expects it will take months before a software fix for Boeing 737 Max planes is complete.” Elwell also indicated “that he does not

Reuters reports that the grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX 8 passenger jet by many nations “sent shockwaves through global aviation after a crash in Ethiopia, but many airlines are managing to keep to schedule with other jets while economic woes mean some may be grateful for a pause.” More Info (Reuters)

Reuters reports that Japan’s space agency announced Tuesday that they have agreed to cooperate with Toyota to develop a crewed lunar rover that runs on fuel cell technologies. The rover “is still in the conceptual stage, but an illustration in the news release showed a six-wheel vehicle that somewhat resembled an armored personnel carrier.” According to

Reuters reports that the USAF announced that a Boeing KC-46 Pegasus tanker jet is scheduled for delivery on Monday to Altus AFB in Oklahoma. An Air Mobility Command representative “said that under the corrective action plan, subsequent deliveries would occur as The Boeing Company successfully completes each aircraft’s inspection.” The USAF had stopped accepting the tankers

USA Today reports that NASA awarded a nearly $19 million contract for the development of nuclear rockets, and “this year’s NASA budget contains $100 million for nuclear thermal research.” More Info (USA Today)

Reuters reports that The Boeing Company announced Sunday that it has postponed the planned ceremonial debut of its 777X widebody aircraft after the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines plane on Saturday. Boeing “said after the crash of the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 is focused on ‘supporting’ the airline and would not proceed with Wednesday’s