Tag: aerospace engineering

Archer Partners with NVIDIA for AI-assisted Operations

Aerotime reports, “Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) developer Archer Aviation has selected the NVIDIA IGX Thor platform to support its future operations. This advanced software platform uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to help pilots and operators assess the operational circumstances and take the right decisions in safety-critical environments. NVIDIA’s IGX Thor is the most powerful safety-capable AI computing module currently offered by the technology giant.”

Full Story (Aerotime)

NASA Plans Early Return for Four ISS Crew Members After Medical Incident

Ars Technica reports, “NASA officials said Thursday they have decided to bring home four of the seven crew members on the International Space Station after one of them experienced a ‘medical situation’ earlier this week. The space agency has said little about the incident, and officials have not identified which crew member suffered the medical issue. James ‘JD’ Polk, NASA’s chief health and medical officer, told reporters Thursday the crew member is ‘absolutely stable’ but that the agency is ‘erring on the side of caution’ with the decision to return the astronaut to Earth.”

Full Story (Ars Technica)

Astronaut Peggy Whitson to Open AIAA SciTech Forum 2026

She joins a distinguished lineup of speakers from industry, government, and academia. These visionaries will take the stage during plenary and Forum 360 programming and will offer you their global perspectives on critical aerospace issues. Join us 12–16 January in Orlando, FL.

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Alaska Airlines Places Record Order for 110 Boeing Jets to Fuel Expansion

The New York Times reports, “Alaska Airlines said on Wednesday that it would buy 110 Boeing planes, part of an ambitious plan for growth fueled by its recent acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines. The order is the largest in the airline’s history and will support Alaska’s expansion, including to destinations abroad.”
Full Story (New York Times – Subscription Publication)

NASA Cancels Spacewalk, Mulls “All Options” Due to Crew Medical Issue

CBS News reports, “A spacewalk planned for Thursday outside the International Space Station was called off late Wednesday because of a ‘medical concern’ with an unidentified crew member, NASA said in a statement. An update shortly before midnight said the agency was exploring ‘all options, including the possibility of an earlier end to Crew 11’s mission.’”

Full Story (CBS News)

Aerospace America Opens the Year with its January–March Issue

FROM THE INSTITUTE
After a landmark year for aerospace, 2026 is shaping up to be even more pivotal. In the first print issue of the year, Aerospace America explores efforts to modernize U.S. air traffic control, the influence of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on small drone development, the state of hypersonics research, and much more.
Full Story (Aerospace America)

Investment, Innovation, and the U.S. Space Industrial Base

Lockheed Delivers Record 191 F-35s in 2025 as Production Accelerates

Reuters reports, “Lockheed Martin said on Wednesday it delivered 191 F-35 fighter jets in 2025 to the United States and its allies, a record for the program. ‘Annual F-35 production is now running at a pace five times faster than any other allied fighter currently in production,’ the company said in a statement.”

Full Story (Reuters)

Air Force Taps Boeing to Begin B-52 Commercial Engine Replacement

Defense News reports, “In December the Air Force awarded Boeing Defense Systems a more than $2 billion contract to start the first engine replacements on the B-52H Stratofortress, marking a major step forward for the overhaul of the venerable Cold War-era bomber. In a Dec. 23 contract announcement, the Pentagon stated that the task order for the Commercial Engine Replacement Program, or CERP, requires Boeing to modify a pair of B-52s with new engines and associated subsystems — and then test the aircraft.”
Full Story (Defense News)

AIAA Publishes 2025 Year in Review Special Report

FROM THE INSTITUTE
AIAA has released a special roundup of the year’s biggest aerospace achievements and milestones, authored by AIAA’s technical and integration and outreach committees. From reusable rockets to lunar landings and AI-piloted jets, explore the innovations that shaped the future.
Full Story (Aerospace America)