FROM THE INSTITUTE
Three aerospace teams working under NASA contracts have independently concluded that reaching NASA’s ambitious efficiency and environmental targets for new commercial airlines in 2050 requires moving away from tube-and-wing aircraft configuration that has defined commercial flight for six decades.
Tag: June 2026
Growing Launch Demand Revives Interest in Offshore Rocket Operations
Space News reports, “Concerns that America’s launch infrastructure may not keep pace with rising demand are reviving interest in an unconventional workaround: sea-based rocket launch. Long viewed as a technically difficult niche with a history of commercial failure, companies and defense officials are giving offshore launch a second look as they search for ways to expand United States launch capacity.”
Full Story (Space News)
Air Force Nears Solution to KC-46 Pegasus Vision System Problems
Aviation News reports, “The U.S. Air Force believes it has finally identified a solution to the long-standing problems affecting the KC-46 Pegasus aerial refueling tanker’s Remote Vision System (RVS), a critical component used during midair refueling operations. The announcement came during a Senate subcommittee hearing, where Air Force Secretary Troy Meink expressed confidence that the issue is nearing resolution.”
Full Story (Aviation Week)
Engineer of Tomorrow Central to Embraer’s Future
FROM THE INSTITUTE
The head of research and technology for Embraer said the secret sauce to Embraer’s innovation successes is one thing – its people. Speaking at the opening plenary of AIAA AVIATION Forum in San Diego, Maurílio Albanese Novaes Jr., said that this people focus was rooted in the company’s origins.
Low Earth Orbit Emerges as a New Frontier for Pharmaceutical Innovation
CNBC reports, “The highly anticipated SpaceX mega-IPO is part of a space frenzy that is moving beyond satellite connectivity, launch vehicles, and aerospace defense to the pharmaceutical sector. A growing number of companies are heading to lower Earth orbit to make medicines in microgravity.”
Full Story (CNBC)
NASA Advances Quiet Supersonic Travel as X-59 Exceeds Mach 1
Aviation News reports, “NASA’s X-59 QueSST experimental aircraft has successfully completed its first supersonic flight, marking a significant step forward in the development of quieter high-speed air travel. The aircraft exceeded the speed of sound on June 5, 2026, as part of its ongoing flight-test program in the United States.”
Full Story (Aviation News)
Norway Seaplane Startup Prepares for Propulsion Tests
FROM THE INSTITUTE
NOEMI Aerospace of Norway is targeting “this summer” to begin testing the propellors for a planned nine-passenger electric seaplane, with the goal of beginning commercial service in 2030, the company’s chief engineer said in an interview.
AFRL, Newly Reorganized, Seeks to Take More Risk ‘Smartly’ to Speed Development
FROM THE INSTITUTE
The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, which reorganized in late April, wants to take more risk and better integrate to move faster, according to the chief scientist of its new air warfare directorate. Speaking on a Monday panel here, Venke Sankaran said AFRL is focused on accelerating the speed of development while reducing costs, and advancing a range of next-generation technologies, from autonomy to hypersonics.
Five Companies, Five Frontiers: BryceTech Crowns Its First Start-Up Space Winner
FROM THE INSTITUTE
Finalists of BryceTech’s first-ever Start-Up Space Pitch Competition took the ASCEND stage twice – first to pitch their technology and market strategy before a panel of space and technology investors and then to share their vision with the broader ASCEND community.
Users, Not Hardware, Will Drive Growth for the Next Era of Space Healthcare
FROM THE INSTITUTE
The center of gravity in the space economy is shifting from hardware to users. That was the message from Voyager Technologies’ Manwei Chan during a recent ASCEND 2026 panel exploring the strategic pillars for in-space R&D expansion.