Aviation Week reports, “The Lockheed Martin F-35 has been approved for full-rate production by the U.S. Defense Department in a long-delayed decision that comes after the program has delivered more than 990 aircraft globally.” The aircraft is now cleared “to advance toward peak production levels.”
Full Story (Aviation Week)
Tag: engineering
SpaceX’s Starship Launches On Third and Most Successful Test Flight
The Washington Post reports, “SpaceX’s Starship spacecraft made it to space and traveled more than halfway around the world Thursday before coming to a fiery end over the Indian Ocean, in the most successful demonstration to date of the vehicle NASA has chosen to one day land astronauts on the moon.
Full Story (Washington Post – Subscription Publication); More Info (AIAA Statement)
Video
SpaceX launches Starship/Super Heavy Booster on third test flight
(AIAA recording; YouTube)
This Company Aims to be the First to Mine the Moon
The Washington Post reports, “Nearly a decade ago, Congress passed a law that allows private American space companies the rights to resources they mine on celestial bodies, including the moon. Now Interlune, founded by former Blue Origin executives and an Apollo astronaut, has said it wants to take advantage of that law.”
Full Story (Washington Post – Subscription Publication)
Lilium to Partner with Atlantic Aviation to Electrify More Than 100 Atlantic FBOs
Flying Magazine reports Atlantic Aviation “on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Germany’s Lilium to electrify its network of more than 100 FBOs.” The companies will partner to “transform existing U.S. airport infrastructure to accommodate the manufacturer’s flagship Lilium Jet, a seven-seat eVTOL design for regional air mobility (RAM) services.”
Full Story (Flying Magazine)
AIAA Statement on Third SpaceX Starship Test Flight
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 14, 2024 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) issued the following statement from AIAA CEO Dan Dumbacher:
“Congratulations to the SpaceX team on today’s test flight of Starship from Starbase, Texas. We are excited to witness this new launch vehicle reaching orbit. The art and science of engineering requires testing. We can see how the team has applied the lessons learned from previous test flights. From today’s flight, we know the team is gaining valuable data they will use to continually improve Starship’s design.
We are excited to see commercial space launch companies advancing technology to extend the human neighborhood from low Earth orbit to the moon, and on to Mars. Expanding these boundaries takes innovation and hard work.
The SpaceX team deserves tremendous credit for this great accomplishment. AIAA recognizes the countless industry professionals who have helped design, build, and test Starship. We applaud AIAA Corporate Member SpaceX for taking this step forward in shaping the future of aerospace.”
AIAA Media Contact: Rebecca Gray, [email protected], 804-397-5270 cell
About AIAA
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (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 aiaa.org or follow AIAA on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
Video
SpaceX launches Starship/Super Heavy Booster on third test flight
(AIAA recording; YouTube)
Japan’s Space One Rocket Explodes Moments After Launch
AP News reports, “A commercial rocket trying to put a satellite into orbit was intentionally exploded shortly after liftoff Wednesday morning in central Japan following a problem that’s still under investigation.” Space One was attempting to become “Japan’s first private sector success at putting a satellite into orbit.”
Full Story (AP News)
Videos
Japanese rocket explodes moments after launch
(7News Australia; YouTube)
Boeing MH-139 Nuclear Security Helicopter Enters Operational Service
FlightGlobal reports, “An operational US Air Force unit has for the first time received one of the new Grey Wolf helicopters, which will replace the Bell UH-1N in supporting physical security at the service’s nuclear-armed intercontinental ballistic missile silos.”
Full Story (FlightGlobal – Subscription Publication)
Stratolaunch TA-1 Hypersonic Test Vehicle Makes First Powered Flight
Flying Magazine reports, “Stratolaunch has completed the first powered flight of its TA-1 test vehicle, marking what the company called a ‘major milestone in the development of the country’s first privately funded, reusable hypersonic test capability.’”
Full Story (Flying Magazine)
4 Space Station Crew Members Head for Tuesday Splashdown
CBS News reports, “A SpaceX Crew Dragon ferry ship carrying four long-duration crew members undocked from the International Space Station on Monday, setting the stage for re-entry and splashdown early Tuesday to wrap up a 199-day mission.”
Full Story (CBS News)
Videos
NASA’s SpaceX Crew-7 re-entry, 12 March 2024
(Official NASA Broadcast; YouTube)
SpaceX Launches 23 More Starlink Satellites from California
SPACE reports, “SpaceX launched 23 more of its Starlink internet satellites from California on Monday (March 11), in the second leg of a spaceflight doubleheader.“ SpaceX’s Falcon 9 lifted off at 12:09 a.m. EDT from Vandenberg Space Force Base carrying the Starlink payload.
Full Story (SPACE)
Videos
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches 23 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base at 12:09 a.m. EDT on March 11, 2024
(VideoFromSpace; YouTube)