Aviation International News reports, “Joby Aviation has completed several piloted test flights with its eVTOL aircraft prototype, covering full transition from vertical to cruise flight and back again. On April 29, the company reported that the first such flight happened a week ago on April 22 and that since then, multiple transition flights have been made with three different pilots at the controls.”
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Tag: April 2025
Vega-C Rocket Launches European Forest-Monitoring Satellite from South America
SPACE reports, “A European forest-monitoring satellite headed toward orbit from South America early Tuesday morning (April 29). The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Biomass spacecraft lifted off atop a Vega-C rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana on Tuesday at 5:15 a.m. EDT (0915 GMT; 6:15 a.m. local time in Korea). Arianespace’s stream began at 4:55 a.m. EDT (0855 GMT), and the launch can now be watched on demand.”
Full Story (SPACE)
Video
Flight VV26 | Biomass | Vega C (Launch occurs at 22:45)
(Arianespace; YouTube)
Bell and Boeing Mark Upcoming Completion of CV-22 Osprey Production
Defense Industry Europe reports, “Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. company, and Boeing have marked the upcoming completion of the CV-22 Program of Record for the U.S. Air Force … According to Bell, the U.S. Air Force is the first service branch to complete its program of record for new CV-22 aircraft, which feature improved nacelles. The final aircraft under this program is expected to be delivered in the coming months.”
Full Story (Defense Industry Europe)
SpaceX Launches 250th Starlink Satellite Mission on Falcon 9
SPACE reports SpaceX launched its 250th dedicated Starlink mission on Sunday night (April 27), sending 23 of the broadband satellites to low Earth orbit. Liftoff took place “from Florida’s Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Sunday at 10:09 p.m. EDT (0209 GMT on Monday, April 28). It was the 250th time SpaceX had sent a batch of Starlink craft skyward, the company noted via X shortly after launch.”
Full Story (SPACE)
Video
SpaceX launches dedicated Starlink mission for 250th time (Launch occurs at 00:13)
(VideoFromSpace; YouTube)
European Study Shines New Light on Persistent Helicopter Safety Issue
Flight Global reports, “A European study into Vortex Ring State (VRS) – one of the helicopter industry’s most pernicious and persistent safety risks – has concluded there are only minor differences between the effectiveness of two different recovery techniques.”
Full Story (Flight Global)
Boeing Says Progress is Being Made on Containing Starliner Costs
Space News reports, “Boeing executives said the company is making progress on containing the costs of its CST-100 Starliner commercial crew vehicle, but offered few details on technical work getting the spacecraft ready for its next flight. In an April 23 earnings call to discuss the company’s first quarter financial results, Kelly Ortberg, president and chief executive of Boeing, cited Starliner as one of the company’s fixed-price programs where the company has improved cost management after serious overruns.”
Full Story (Space News)
NASA and Boeing Pause X-66 Development to Focus on Ultra-Thin Wing Design
Interesting Engineering reports, “NASA and Boeing are pausing the development of the X-66 full-scale Sustainable Flight Demonstrator. Instead, they will re-focus their efforts on demonstrating the benefits of thin-wing technology. Until recently, the US space agency and Boeing touted the X-66as a great leap for sustainable aviation. That aircraft design featured extra-long, thin wings supported by diagonal struts. Though those plans have been put on ice, they still believe in the benefits of thin-wing technology.”
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NASA’s Lucy Probe Beams Back Pictures from Latest Asteroid Flyby
AP News reports, “NASA’s Lucy spacecraft has beamed back pictures from its latest asteroid flyby, revealing a long, lumpy, odd-shaped space rock. The space agency released the images Monday, a day after the close approach. It was considered a dress rehearsal for the more critical asteroid encounters ahead closer to Jupiter.”
Full Story (AP News)
Italy Places $47-Million Order for AeroVironment Jump Drones
The Defense Post reports, “Italy has signed a $46.6-million deal with AeroVironment for the delivery of Jump 20 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), set to replace its aging fleet of AAI RQ-7 Shadow drones. The five-year contract includes engineering, technical support, and maintenance services from AeroVironment to ensure the UAVs are fully operational from day one.”
Full Story (The Defense Post)
US Space Force Develops Framework for War Fighting in Space
SPACE reports that the U.S. Space Force now has an official “Space Warfighting” doctrine outlining how the service “can train and prepare units” for a war fought in space. “The document ‘establishes a common lexicon for counterspace operations’ and lays out a ‘range of responsible offensive and defensive actions Guardians may employ to maintain control of space’ and ensure the success of the U.S. military, according to a Space Force statement.”
Full Story (SPACE)