Tag: aerospace engineering

Myths Busted! AI Systems Are Not Inherently Unsafe Concludes Aviation Experts as They Put to Rest AI Myths

FROM THE INSTITUTE
A group of experts from NASA and industry put to rest several myths regarding artificial intelligence (AI) certification during AIAA AVIATION Forum in Las Vegas. Key points raised by the aviation experts included the need for clear requirements and traceability to reduce human error, the importance of functional hazard assessments, and the role of probabilistic requirements in guiding hardware and software architecture.
Full Story (Aerospace America)

First Australian-built Orbital Rocket Crashes Shortly After Liftoff

The Guardian reports, “The Eris rocket was built by Gold Coast-based Gilmour Space and briefly blasted off from the Bowen orbital spaceport in north Queensland on Wednesday morning, after months of waiting for the right conditions. The spaceship hovered for less than a minute before crashing in a giant plume of smoke, but it was history-making nonetheless – the attempted launch of an orbital rocket designed and made in Australia.”
Full Story (The Guardian) 

 Video

First Australian-made rocket crashes 14 seconds after liftoff.
Firstpost; YouTube

Boeing Posts Smaller Loss as Jet Deliveries Rise

Reuters reports that Boeing reported a smaller second-quarter loss on Tuesday “as the U.S. planemaker ramped up jet production and deliveries, recovering from a regulatory crisis and a major strike that halted most production last year.” Shares of the company rose 1.5% in premarket trading.
Full Story (Reuters)

Next X-37B Mission to Test Quantum Sensor and Laser Link Experiments

Breaking Defense reports, “The Defense Department’s secretive X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle will lift off again in late August, carrying a quantum sensor that could enable navigation when GPS is unavailable as well as a laser communication system, the Space Force announced today. The Aug. 21 mission will be the eighth for the mysterious space plane, which is operated by the Space Force in partnership with the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office.”
Full Story (Breaking Defense)

The Space Industry Dilemma of Moving from Innovator to Integrator

FROM THE INSTITUTE
Having long tackled the innovators’ dilemma to adjust to technological transformation, the space industry is now poised to tackle the integrators’ dilemma: what to do with all that innovation and how to use it. A panel discussion at 2025 ASCEND explored the theme, tapping experts in academia and industry.
Full Story (Aerospace America)

Bangladesh Orders 25 Boeing Jets in US Trade Talks

Aerotime reports, “The government of Bangladesh has placed an order for 25 aircraft from Boeing, up from an initial order of 14, as part of negotiations with the Trump administration to lower the proposed export tariff. According to Bengali news outlet Bdnews24 report, the primary goal of this order is to decrease Bangladesh’s trade deficit with the United States, which may lead the Trump administration to lift the extra 35% tariffs on Bangladesh.”
Full Story (Aerotime)

Japan Agrees to Purchase 100 Boeing Jets

AirInsight reports, “Japan has committed to purchase U.S.-made commercial aircraft, including an agreement to buy 100 Boeing aircraft,” as well as additional annual funding for “purchases of U.S. defense equipment, enhancing interoperability and alliance security in the indo-Pacfic.”
Full Story (AirInsight)

ASCENDANTS – Making the Case for Generative, Restorative, and Just Human Space Activity

FROM THE INSTITUTE
Each year for the last five years, ASCEND has featured a group of emerging space visionaries from around the world who offer solutions to the most pressing space sustainability challenges. Known as “ASCENDANTS” (previously the Diverse Dozen), the group, comprised of trailblazers from NGOs, government, and industry from nine countries, address compelling issues ranging from managing space debris to ensuring every country has a seat at the space table, among other topics.
Full Story (Aerospace America)

‘Skyfall’ Mars Mission Proposes to Drop 6 Scout Helicopters onto Mars

SPACE reports, “AeroVironment of Arlington, Virginia and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory today debuted ‘Skyfall,’ a concept for deploying next-generation Mars helicopters that could help pave the way for human landing on Mars through autonomous aerial exploration.”
Full Story (SPACE)



Video

Skyfall – Future Mission Concept for Next-gen Mars Helicopters and Exploration
(Aerovironment; YouTube)