Tag: aerospace engineering

Air Force to Purchase More KC-46s in Lieu of New Competition

Defense One reports, “After years of uncertainty about the Air Force’s tanker plans, the service has decided to buy more KC-46s instead of launching a new competition for its next tanker buy. This decision ends speculation that the service might launch a contest, likely between Boeing and Airbus, for an interim tanker buy of 75 aircraft to replace the aging KC-135 fleet. Instead, the Air Force will purchase more of the troubled but already-in-production KC-46 as a ‘bridge’ solution until it figures out its long-term tanking needs.”
Full Story (Defense One)

Space Force Takes Delivery of GPS Control System Following Years of Delays

Space News reports, “The U.S. Space Force has accepted delivery of the initial version of its long-delayed Next Generation Operational Control System (OCX), marking a key milestone for a GPS infrastructure upgrade that has become emblematic of Pentagon software development challenges. The Space Force’s Space Operations Command announced it accepted delivery of the ‘modernized operating system for the Global Positioning System, which is designed to maintain resiliency of the constellation and improve positioning, navigation and timing services to meet user demand now and in the future.’”
Full Story (Space News)

Blue Origin to Launch ESCAPADE on Second New Glenn Mission

Space News reports, “Blue Origin has confirmed that a NASA Mars smallsat mission, bumped from the inaugural launch of the New Glenn rocket, will be on the vehicle’s second flight later this year. Blue Origin announced in a social media post July 17 that NASA’s Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers, or ESCAPADE, mission will be the primary payload on the NG-2 launch, the second flight of New Glenn after its inaugural launch in January.”
Full Story (Space News – Subscription Publication)

FAA Study Led by Embry-Riddle Warns of Drone Flights above 400 Feet

Aviation International News reports, “An FAA-funded nationwide study led by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) has found that small uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) are frequently flying above the 400-foot ceiling established for drones, raising concerns about potential mid-air conflicts with crewed aircraft. The report used Remote ID signals collected from sensors across the U.S. to analyze flight activity at 43 aerodromes, including airports and heliports.”
Full Story (Aviation International News)

Exploring Other Worlds Using Artificial Intelligence – Insights from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory

FROM THE INSTITUTE
Scientists gathering data that could indicate life on other celestial bodies in the solar system or from planets in star systems light-years away will need new artificial intelligence (AI) systems to overcome major challenges. Steve Chien of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory took the audience on an engaging tour of how AI is being used in space exploration today and in the future, especially in the search for extraterrestrial life.
Full Story (Aerospace America)

Joby Aims to Double Air Taxi Production Rate

Flying Magazine reports, “Electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi developer Joby Aviation this week took a key step toward its envisioned electric aerial ridesharing service. After expanding its pilot production facility in Marina, California, to about 435,000 square feet, Joby on Tuesday said it expects to double its air taxi production rate to 24 per year. Ramping up in Marina—the epicenter of its manufacturing efforts and a critical test site for the air taxi—will allow Joby to expand its test fleet, which comprises five eVTOL air taxis plus one liquid hydrogen-powered demonstrator.”
Full Story (Flying Magazine)

SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches Satellites for Amazon’s Project Kuiper

Spaceflight Now reports, “Amazon now has the third launch of its Project Kuiper broadband internet satellites in the books. This time around, they launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The mission, dubbed KF-01 or Kuiper Falcon 1, lifted off at 2:30 a.m. EDT (0630 UTC). The rocket took off from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and will begin deploying the 24 Project Kuiper satellites about 56 minutes after liftoff.”
Full Story (Spaceflight Now)



 Video

SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches 24 Project Kuiper Satellites for Amazon, July 16, 2025 (Launch takes place at the 1:00:24 mark)
Spaceflight Now; YouTube