Tag: September 2025

Firefly Aerospace’s Alpha Rocket Cleared to Fly Again

SPACE reports, “The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has cleared Firefly Aerospace to resume launches of its Alpha rocket. The approval follows a months-long review of the mission in April, during which the rocket’s first stage broke apart moments after separation and compromised the vehicle’s second stage.”
Full Story (SPACE)

SpaceX Launches Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus XL on its First Mission

SPACE reports, “SpaceX launched Northrop Grumman’s new “Cygnus XL” cargo ship on its debut mission to the International Space Station (ISS) on Sunday evening (Sept. 14). A Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Cygnus freighter lifted off from Florida’s Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 6:11 p.m. EDT (2211 GMT).” NG-23’s Cygnus XL “is scheduled to arrive at the ISS on Wednesday (Sept. 17) at 6:35 a.m. EDT (1035 GMT).”
Full Story (SPACE)

Video

A SpaceX Falcon 9 launches CRS NG-23 to the ISS. (Launch occurs at the 58:58 mark)
NASASpaceflight; YouTube

Protecting U.S. Leadership in Space Commerce: Funding at Risk

FROM THE INSTITUTE
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has cut the FY25 spend plan for the Office of Space Commerce (OSC) to $37 million, down from $65 million. This represents a 47% budget reduction from FY24 and eliminates the two-year funding authority Congress provided for OSC to purchase commercial space situational awareness (SSA) data.
Full Story (Aerospace America)

Beta’s All-electric Alia Aircraft Performs Intercity Test Flight in Norway for First Time

Aerospace Testing International reports, “Beta’s Alia electric aircraft flew a route between Stavanger and Bergen in Norway for the first time last week – the start of several months of flight tests looking to build knowledge about operating battery-electric aircraft before they are commercialised.” The three-phase flight campaign is expected to run until January 2026.
Full Story (Aerospace Testing International)

Parallel Flight Technologies to Develop Maritime-Capable Firefly Heavy-Lift UAS for Office of Naval Research

Unmanned Systems Technology reports, “Parallel Flight Technologies has received a $3.74 million ONR Sequential Phase II SBIR contract to adapt its Firefly hybrid-powered heavy-lift UAS for maritime operations, enhancing naval logistics, surveillance, and research missions.”
Full Story (Unmanned Systems Technology)

Video

Firefly hybrid-powered heavy-lift UAS.
Parallel Flight Technologies; YouTube