Space News reports, “NASA says a private astronaut mission could launch to the International Space Station as soon as June 19 as it works to understand an air leak on the Russian segment of the station. In a June 14 statement, NASA said it is working with Axiom Space and SpaceX on ‘reviewing launch opportunities’ for the Ax-4 mission, with the earliest such opportunity on June 19.”
Full Story (Space News)
Tag: June 2025
Southwest Airlines Adding Cockpit Alert System to Increase Runway Safety
The Wall Street Journal reports, “Southwest Airlines is adding a new cockpit-alert system to help its pilots avoid dangerous situations, after carriers navigated a series of close calls at U.S. airports in recent years. The Honeywell-designed system delivers verbal warnings and text alarms if a pilot is about to use the wrong runway, for example, or take off from or land on a taxiway. The Dallas-based carrier said the system has been added to nearly all of Southwest’s approximately 800 aircraft.”
Full Story (Wall Street Journal – Subscription Publication)
NASA Delays Commercial Crew Launch to Inspect Space Station Leaks
The Washington Post reports, “NASA said Thursday it was postponing a launch of private astronauts to the International Space Station while it works with its Russian counterparts to investigate persistent leaks on the orbiting laboratory. In a statement, NASA said that Russian cosmonauts recently sealed ‘some areas of interest’ in a module on the Russia side of the space station. As a result, ‘the segment is holding pressure,’ NASA said. It added that crews also noticed a ‘new pressure signature,’ and need additional time ‘to evaluate the situation and determine whether any additional troubleshooting is necessary.’”
Full Story (Washington Post – Subscription Publication)
More Info (CBS News)
Bristow Doubles Pre-Orders of Vertical Aerospace’s VX-4
Flight Global reports, “Vertical Aerospace is to join forces with Bristow Group to establish what is effectively a wet-leasing operation focused on the electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft developer’s VX4. An expansion of an existing ‘strategic partnership’ dating from 2021, the agreement also sees helicopter operator Bristow double its pre-orders and options for the VX-4, increasing both to as many as 50 units.”
Full Story (Flight Global)
Greek Entrepreneur Hopes to Build Giant Net to Catch Incoming Cargo on the Moon
SPACE reports, “Greece-based entrepreneur has a unique idea for moon-bound deliveries: using a giant net to catch packages launched from lunar orbit. Although there are still many hurdles to clear, the system would address many of the key challenges for moon-bound deliveries and could aid in the future mining of lunar resources. Right now, lunar landers are costly, especially when they fail. Rather than using landers for deliveries to the moon’s surface, Charis Kosmas has developed a concept called the Momentum Absorption Catcher for Express Deliveries on Non-Atmospheric Somata (MACEDONAS).”
Full Story (SPACE)
Air India Boeing 787-8 Crashes Shortly After Takeoff in First 787 Fatal Accident
Aviation Week reports, “An Air India Boeing 787-8 crashed into a residential area shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad Airport, India, on June 12. The crash is the first fatal accident of any 787 since the type entered service in 2011 with All Nippon Airways.”
Full Story (Aviation Week)
Experts Needed for AIAA Standard Revision Project
The AIAA Standards Steering Committee has approved a revision project for AIAA S-120B, Mass Properties Control for Space Systems. This standard outlines mass control requirements for space system development. If you are interested in contributing as a subject matter expert on the revision committee or have any questions, please contact Michele Dominiak , Senior Vice President, Publishing & Education, AIAA.
The Space Economy Offers a New Frontier for Business Growth
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)
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)
New Executive Order Aims to Usher in New Generation of U.S. Aircraft
Flying Magazine reports, “President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that aims to usher in a new generation of drones, self-flying planes, and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxis while shutting out “unfair foreign competition” from countries like China. The order, “Unleashing American Drone Dominance,” contains a package of measures designed to bolster the U.S. drone industry by lifting restrictions and streamlining manufacturing, testing, and access for American-built uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS).”
Full Story (Flying Magazine)