SpaceNews reports that increasingly ambitious megaconstellation plans are intensifying competition for orbital resources as companies and governments propose deploying thousands—or potentially far more—satellites. Amazon is seeking more than 5,000 satellites, Blue Origin has proposed another 5,400, and Chinese companies have filed plans for substantially larger networks, while Elon Musk has discussed a constellation potentially numbering 1 million spacecraft. But SpaceNews notes a fundamental obstacle to those enormous ambitions: “There is one issue: building all of them.”
Full Story (SpaceNews)
Tag: October 2026
U.S. Army Looks to Depots to Accelerate Drone Production
Aviation Week reports that the U.S. Army is opening its depots to drone-part production as the Pentagon looks for ways to rapidly expand manufacturing capacity, driven in part by lessons from Ukraine’s war. The outlet notes that “the number of drones Ukraine is projected to produce this year rises by a few million,” with the country expected to manufacture as many as 9 million to 10 million drones in 2026 after producing about 4 million small uncrewed aircraft last year. The dramatic increase highlights the scale of production the U.S. military is seeking to approach as it works to meet growing demand for inexpensive, rapidly produced uncrewed systems.
Full Story (Aviation Week)
Denver Broncos Team With MDA Space in First Space Industry Partnership
Via Satellite reports that the Denver Broncos have named MDA Space their first-ever space industry partner, raising the possibility that other professional sports teams could pursue similar partnerships. The publication notes that the NFL “has often been described as a copycat league,” and spoke with Broncos Chief Commercial Officer Dennis Moore about the motivation behind the unusual pairing and the team’s enthusiasm for working with MDA Space.
Full Story (Via Satellite)
Northrop Grumman’s YFQ-48A Talon Blue Completes First Autonomous Flight
AeroTime reports that Northrop Grumman’s YFQ-48A Talon Blue has completed its first fully autonomous flight in Mojave, California, “including taxi, takeoff, in-flight maneuvers, and landing.” Northrop Grumman says Talon Blue is designed to support a range of missions for U.S. and allied forces as the company expands its autonomous aircraft capabilities.
Full Story (Aerotime)
Air Force Seeks Small Drones to Extend Communications in Contested Environments
Defense Daily reports the U.S. Air Force is seeking already-developed, attritable small drones that could form a communications mesh network for operations against adversaries with advanced electronic warfare and weapons. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center says the systems would have a maximum takeoff weight of 330 pounds, including fuel and payload, and a minimum range of 1,000 kilometers. The service is looking for the drones to operate “as part of a mesh network” and be deployable from Air Force Special Operations Command fixed-wing aircraft.
Full Story (Defense Daily – Subscription Publication)
2026 AIAA 30/30 Recipients Announced: Aerospace Sciences Category
FROM THE INSTITUTE
AIAA has identified 30 exceptional young professionals who are advancing aerospace through technical achievement, innovation, and leadership. The 30/30 Program highlights individuals in their 30s who are driving breakthrough research, advancing next-generation technologies, leading impactful programs and teams, and accelerating innovation across aerospace. Meet the winners in our Aerospace Sciences Category.
2026 AIAA 30/30 Recipients Announced: Information Systems Category
FROM THE INSTITUTE
AIAA has identified 30 exceptional young professionals who are advancing aerospace through technical achievement, innovation, and leadership. The 30/30 Program highlights individuals in their 30s who are driving breakthrough research, advancing next-generation technologies, leading impactful programs and teams, and accelerating innovation across aerospace. Meet the winners in our Information Systems Category.
2026 AIAA 30/30 Recipients Announced: Aircraft Technology, Integration, and Operations Category
FROM THE INSTITUTE
AIAA has identified 30 exceptional young professionals who are advancing aerospace through technical achievement, innovation, and leadership. The 30/30 Program highlights individuals in their 30s who are driving breakthrough research, advancing next-generation technologies, leading impactful programs and teams, and accelerating innovation across aerospace. Meet the winners in our Business and Communications Category.
2026 AIAA 30/30 Recipients Announced: Business and Communications Category
FROM THE INSTITUTE
AIAA has identified 30 exceptional young professionals who are advancing aerospace through technical achievement, innovation, and leadership. The 30/30 Program highlights individuals in their 30s who are driving breakthrough research, advancing next-generation technologies, leading impactful programs and teams, and accelerating innovation across aerospace. Meet the winners in our Aircraft Technology, Integration, and Operations Category.
NASA SR-71 Blackbird: 6 Reasons #844 Could Be the Comeback Choice
Aerospace Global News reports that speculation is growing about a possible return to flight for NASA’s SR-71 Blackbird #844, although the agency has not confirmed such a program. The aircraft’s longtime parking spot at Armstrong Flight Research Center is now empty, where its “long, black fuselage” had stood for years as a reminder of an era when flight research routinely ventured beyond Mach 3. The aircraft, which made the Blackbird’s final flight, is now at the center of renewed interest over whether it could fly again.
Full Story (Aerospace Global News)