Via Satellite reports, “The space economy, which for millennia was only a distant dream, is now a present reality. A rapidly expanding sector that uses satellites and space-based technologies, the space economy is poised to transform industries across the board. By 2035, predictions indicate that the space economy is expected to exceed $1.8 trillion, with more than 60,000 satellites in orbit by 2030. This isn’t just about rockets and telescopes; it’s about using the unique capabilities of space to enhance processes, efficiency and resilience on Earth.”
Full Story (Via Satellite)
Tag: aerospace engineering
Saab Gripen E Jet Completes First AI-controlled Flight Tests
Aerotime reports, “Saab has completed a series of flight tests integrating artificial intelligence into its Gripen E fighter jet, the company announced on June 11, 2025. Conducted in partnership with the German-based defense AI firm Helsing, the flights over the Baltic Sea saw the AI agent, named Centaur, take autonomous control of the aircraft during simulated Beyond Visual Range (BVR) combat scenarios.”
Full Story (Aerotime)
Boeing Books 303 New Orders in May in One of Highest Monthly Order Tallies in Company History
Reuters reports, “Boeing heads into the Paris Air Show after a blockbuster May that included booking 303 new orders and rolling out 38 new 737 MAX jets, a production rate it has been working to reach for more than a year. The company also delivered 45 aircraft last month, it said Tuesday. It was the sixth-highest monthly order tally in Boeing’s history, according to company data.”
Full Story (Reuters)
2025 AIAA Awards Gala Held in April
FROM THE INSTITUTE
AIAA presented its premier awards at the AIAA Awards Gala, 30 April, at Grand Hyatt Washington in Washington, DC. The Class of 2025 AIAA Fellows and AIAA Honorary Fellows and AIAA Foundation award and scholarship recipients also were recognized.
Full Story (Aerospace America)
Japan’s ispace Fails in its Second Attempt to Place Resilience Lander on Moon
Reuters reports, “Japanese company ispace said its uncrewed moon lander likely crashed onto the lunar surface during its touchdown attempt on Friday, marking another failure two years after an unsuccessful inaugural mission. Tokyo-based ispace had hoped to join U.S. firms Intuitive Machines and Firefly Aerospace in making successful commercial moon landings amid a global race that includes state-run lunar missions from China and India.”
Full Story (Reuters)
Blue Origin Unveils Plans for Enabling Long-Term Human Presence on the Moon
SPACE reports, “Blue Origin has begun revealing how it plans to establish itself as a provider of hardware to enable long-term human stays on the moon. One newly unveiled key element is the “Transporter,” a vehicle that can be launched on a single Blue Origin New Glenn rocket into low Earth orbit. It will harvest leftover propellant from the booster’s second stage and then haul the hydrogen and oxygen to lunar orbit.”
Full Story (SPACE)
Beta’s Alia CX300 Makes First Electric Flight into New York City Airport
Aviation International News reports, “Beta Technologies’ Alia CX300 on Tuesday [became] the first all-electric aircraft to land at a New York City airport … One of Beta’s prototypes landed at John F. Kennedy International Airport (KJFK) after a passenger-carrying demonstration flight with a pilot and four passengers, including Blade Air Mobility CEO Rob Wiesenthal and Republic Airways president Matt Koscal. According to Beta, the energy cost for the 45-minute flight was just $7 compared with what it estimated as $160 in fuel costs for a helicopter making the same trip. The Alia flew at 135 knots, operating under a market survey ticket that the FAA issued.”
Full Story (Aviation International News)
New High-Density Battery Provides Up to 63% More Flight Time for UAVs
Unmanned Systems Technology reports, “Tulip Tech, a high-tech battery innovator based in the Neatherlands, has revealed a major leap forward in UAV endurance with the integration of its new high-density 39Ah battery pack into the Acecore Technologies Noa drone. Delivering an energy density of 360 Wh/kg, the advanced lithium battery has achieved flight time increases of up to 63%, unlocking significantly greater range and productivity for demanding drone missions.”
Full Story (Unmanned Systems Technology)
Archer Aviation Performing Piloted Flights of its Midnight Electric Aircraft
Electrek reports, “All-electric aircraft developer Archer has entered a key development phase ahead of full-fledged flight certification and commercial operations. Last week, Archer completed a piloted flight in its flagship Midnight aircraft, demonstrating a conventional takeoff and landing instead of vertical (it can do both). Check out the entire flight video.”
Full Story (Electrek)
Future of Flight Takes Center Stage at 2025 AIAA AVIATION Forum
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 3, 2025 – Reston, Va. – AIAA announced its program for the 2025 AIAA AVIATION Forum, 21–25 July, Caesars Forum, Las Vegas. The five-day event will focus on the theme, “Navigating the Future: Sustainability, Safety, and Innovation.”
“We’re thrilled to bring together the aviation industry during this time of unprecedented transformation,” said AIAA CEO Clay Mowry. “As the industry grows and evolves, it’s crucial to ensure the next generation of air transportation systems are safe and efficient. This event is mission essential for aviation professionals in industry, government, and academia—it’s where the future of aviation takes shape.”
Educational, Interactive, Mission-Critical Program Planned
From the main stage, attendees will learn about the innovative technologies and services that are driving efficient growth in civil and military aviation. The lineup of speakers and panelists represent the leading aviation agencies, companies, and universities from around the world. They will showcase groundbreaking capabilities that are redefining what’s possible in flight – from sustainable aviation fuels and electric propulsion to advanced air mobility and hypersonics.
AIAA forums are well known for the depth of technical content presented. The technical program will feature over 1,200 presentations spanning more than 20 research topics, including fluid dynamics, applied aerodynamics, air transportation systems, thermophysics, and multidisciplinary design optimization. More than a dozen technical workshops are scheduled, providing attendees with valuable in-depth learning opportunities. Attendees also can participate in the AIAA/CEAS Aeroacoustics Conference during the week. In addition, the FlightLab sessions include important content from the aviation community submitted on a range of timely and important topics.
Confirmed speakers from industry, government, and academia across the aviation community include:
- Michael Berube – Deputy Assistant Secretary for Sustainable Transportation & Fuels, U.S. Department of Energy
- Yemaya Bordain – President of the Americas, Daedalean AI
- Sergio Cecutta – Founder and Partner, SMG Consulting
- Jan de Regt – Director, Advanced Aviation Systems, Flight Safety Foundation
- Lt. Col. David Dunwoody – Deputy Director Data & Analytics Enablement, National Defence of Canada
- Michael Dyment – Managing Partner, NEXA Capital Partners
- Roberto Guerrero – Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Operational Energy
- Rafferty Jackson – Principal, Jack Industries
- Greg Feith, former Senior Air Safety Investigator, National Transportation Safety Board
- Natasha Neogi – Senior Technologist for Assured Intelligent Flight Systems, NASA
- Linda O’Brien – Vice President and Chief Engineer, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
- Alain Siebert – Chief Technology and Strategy, SESAR
- Walter A. Silva – Senior Research Scientist, NASA Langley Research Center
- Michael Sinnett – Senior Vice President, Product Strategy, Product Development and Development Programs, Boeing Commercial Airplanes
- Akbar Sultan, Director, Airspace Operations and Safety Program, NASA
- Lt. Col. Taylor Wilson – Commander, 40th Test Flight Squadron, U.S. Air Force
Registration for the forum is open, with early-bird rates ending 23 June. Journalists can request a Press Pass online. For the most updated program information, visit www.aiaa.org/aviation.
Media Contact: Rebecca Gray, [email protected], 804-397-5270 cell
About AIAA
AIAA is the world’s largest aerospace technical society. With nearly 30,000 individual members from 91 countries, and 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 or follow AIAA on X/Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.