Ars Techica reports, “There is still some work to do to prepare Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser spaceplane for its first mission, but the company says the winged resupply craft for the ISS will soon ship to its launch site in Florida. The Dream Chaser will take off on top of a ULA Vulcan rocket to head for the space station. A spokesperson for Sierra Space told Ars the spaceplane’s launch is scheduled for the third or fourth quarter of this year.”
Full Story (Ars Technica)
Tag: May 2024
Pyka, Sierra Nevada Team Up to Offer Large Cargo Drone to US DOD
Flying Magazine reports, “The companies behind an autonomous, all-electric, school bus-sized drone designed for contested military operations are now seeking customers within the U.S. Department of Defense. Pyka, a manufacturer of electric uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS), on Monday partnered with aerospace and defense contractor Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) to introduce a variant of its flagship Pelican Cargo drone for DOD use.”
Full Story (Flying Magazine)
US Marine Corps’ New Aviation Modernization Plan Taking Shape
Aviation Week reports, “A new wave of investment in U.S. Marine Corps aviation has taken shape behind closed doors during the past 18 months, as the development of several new rotary-wing platforms and a new munition is set to move forward as part of the fiscal 2026 budget rollout next year.”
Full Story (Aviation Week)
Leonardo, Textron Pitch M-346 as Best Option for Navy’s Next Jet Trainer
Janes reports, “Leonardo has teamed with Textron Aviation Defense to offer its M-346 jet trainer for the US Navy’s (USN’s) Undergraduate Jet Training System (UJTS) program. The service’s current jet trainer, the T-45 Goshawk, entered service in 1991 and has experienced numerous technical issues in recent years.”
Full Story (Janes – Subscription Publication)
Portal Space Systems Reveals Plans for New Propulsion Technology
Space News reports, “Startup Portal Space Systems, founded by a former SpaceX and Amazon executive, has unveiled plans for spacecraft that use a novel propulsion technology designed to enable rapid movement between orbits.”
Full Story (Space News)
AIAA Applauds the Passage of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 17, 2024 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) CEO Dan Dumbacher made the following statement:
“On behalf of the Institute’s nearly 30,000 professional and student members, we are pleased with the passage of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 that authorizes the FAA for the next five years. The legislation will boost the workforce while protecting consumers and modernizing airports. We appreciate the hard work by House and Senate leaders in getting this bill done and President Biden for signing into law. The bill contains provisions intended to bolster air safety, improve consumer protections, and increase flights at the airport closest to Capitol Hill.
AIAA looks forward to continuing its support of the FAA as we strive to maintain our nation’s leadership in aviation, while also helping make critical advances in technology development and research to advance safer, smarter, and more sustainable flight.”
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, and follow AIAA on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.