Tag: march 2026

Firefly’s Alpha Rocket Resumes Flights, Successfully Reaches Orbit

Aviation Week reports, “Firefly Aerospace has returned to flight after nearly one year, ready to resume its mission to bring additional launch capacity to hungry U.S. government and commercial space customers. The Alpha launch vehicle took off March 11 from Space Launch Complex-2 at Vandenberg SFB in California at 5:50 p.m. PDT, following several attempts scrubbed due to high winds and atypical sensor readings. But with the weather and sensors finally cooperating, the small-lift rocket carried its cargo to orbit at last.”
Full Story (Aviation Week)

Video

Firefly Aerospace’s Alpha rocket returns to flight. (Launch takes place at the 00:29 mark)
VideoFromSpace; YouTube

Faculty Advisor Spotlight: Michael Denn, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

FROM THE INSTITUTE
Michael Denn, an Instructor of Mechanical Mechatronics Engineering at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) who serves as the faculty advisor for the AIAA SIUE Student Branch, was one of six faculty advisors selected to receive the 2025 AIAA Faculty Advisor Award. Denn was recognized for his outstanding and dedicated efforts in establishing and guiding the student branch. He played a pivotal role in supporting the formation process and mentoring the organization through its inaugural semester, laying a strong foundation for long-term success.

MQ-20 Avenger Demonstrates Advanced Autonomy in U.S. Air Force Exercise

Aviation News Daily reports, “General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) and the U.S. Air Force have successfully completed a groundbreaking autonomy flight exercise, demonstrating critical new capabilities for Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). The test proves that uncrewed jets can now coordinate complex combat behaviors autonomously, marking a major leap in the integration of AI-driven wingmen for future air warfare.”
Full Story (Aviation News Daily)

Joby Aviation Demonstrates Electric Air Taxi Flights Over San Francisco Bay

AVWEB reports, “Joby Aviation has completed a series of demonstration flights across the San Francisco Bay Area, showcasing its electric air taxi in one of the nation’s most congested cities.” The “aircraft (N545JX) departed from Oakland International Airport, flew across the Bay toward the Golden Gate Bridge, and turned above the Marin Headlands.”
Full Story (AVWEB)

Joby Advances Toward Certification with First FAA-Conforming Flight Tests

Aviation News Daily reports, “Joby Aviation has officially commenced flight testing of its first FAA-conforming aircraft, marking a critical advancement toward Type Inspection Authorization (TIA)and commercial passenger service. This development coincides with a major White House-backed initiative that allows mature eVTOL designs to begin early operations across the United States this year.”
Full Story (Aviation News Daily)

Podcast: Axiom CEO Discusses the Next Wave of Commercial Activity in LEO

Space News reports, “In this episode of the Space News Space Minds podcast, host David Ariosto talks with Jonathan Cirtain, CEO and President of Axiom Space. They discuss the challenges — and wonders — of launching a career in an evolving space industry; a key financial sign that the space economy is maturing; and how a commercial presence in low Earth orbit can prepare humanity to explore farther into space.”
Full Story (Space News)

Nominations Open for Member Advancement

FROM THE INSTITUTE
Do you know an AIAA member who has made outstanding contributions to the aerospace industry? Help us shine a spotlight on their stellar leadership and contributions by nominating them for member advancement, and elevate them to an elite class of AIAA members. Full nomination criteria can be found on the AIAA Honors homepage.

Learn More