Spacecraft’s First Mission Faced Tech Issues that Stranded Astronauts for Months

NASA and Boeing have agreed to rethink the Starliner spacecraft’s future role in the commercial program after its debut crewed mission in June 2024 went sideways, leaving astronauts on the ISS for 278 days longer than planned. Starliner’s next mission is now slated for April 2026, this time with no one on board. The decision follows the flight that stranded NASA astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams on the International Space Station for around nine months due to a mishmash of propulsion issues, including helium leaks and multiple thruster failures. With confidence in the vehicle’s ability to get them home safely plummeting, Starliner flew home uncrewed and handed the crew off to a SpaceX Crew Dragon from another mission.

Aerospace Giant Continues Sprint Towards Starship V3’s Next Test Flight

SpaceX is quickly moving on from the Booster 18 mishap, insisting it can still meet an already ambitious target for Starship V3. The ship’s twelfth flight remains scheduled for early 2026 despite its Super Heavy booster coming out of its first day of testing looking a little like a crushed soda can before the sun even rose. The booster test campaign began with gas-system pressure testing on November 21 at SpaceX's Massey facility in Starbase, Texas. Within hours, Booster 18 was significantly damaged.

Pair Was Part of a Four-Person Formation Flight Over Napper Field

A formation flight of four Van’s RV-7 aircraft over Sydney’s Wedderburn Airport (Napper Field) on November 30 met an early end when two planes collided mid-air, tragically taking one pilot’s life. The other aircraft involved was, fortunately, able to return for a safe landing. Emergency services were called just before noon after witnesses reported a crash in nearby bushland. The aircraft, registered VH-EWS, barely missed the airport’s hangars before impacting wooded terrain, fatally injuring 48-year-old seasoned aerobatic pilot and kit builder Eddie Seve.

Flares Deployed To Draw Pilot’s Attention, Escorted From Airspace

North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) announced that U.S. military F-16 fighter aircraft intercepted a civilian aircraft on Saturday November 29 after it violated a temporary flight restriction airspace over Palm Beach, Florida. The aircraft entered the restricted airspace at 4:20 pm EST and the F-16s deployed flares to get the pilot’s attention and alert him to the violation, after which he was safely escorted from the airspace.

Long-Time Provider Of Voltage Regulators, Alternator Controls, Other Power Products

Hartzell Engine Tech, a unit of Signia Aerospace, announced the expansion of its “firewall forward” line of products to now include Lamar Technologies brand of advanced aviation electrical components and power systems.

“Sand & Fun” Event Sets Guinness World Record for Unique Firework Show

Riyadh’s General Aviation Airshow “Sand & Fun” can add a Guinness World Record to its resume thanks to a helicopter equipped to launch more fireworks than anyone would’ve thought possible. The Saudi Aviation Club pulled off the feat at Al-Thumamah Airport using a modified MBB Bo 105 P1M fitted with a custom pyrotechnic platform engineered for the display.

During The Initial Climb, The Engine Began To Operate Abnormally And, After About Three Seconds, Experienced A Total Loss Of Power

On October 29, 2025, about 1820 Pacific daylight time, a Grumman American AA-5B, N74323, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Santa Ynez, California. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to maneuver the airplane within and above the traffic pattern of the airport. The pilot departed from runway 26 and began following the noise-abatement climb-out procedures. During the initial climb, the engine began to operate abnormally and, after about three seconds, experienced a total loss of power.  

From 2023 (YouTube Edition): New Propulsion Scheme Optimized for AAM Applications

Founded in  2017 by Eric Bartsch, Pat Anderson, and Erik Lindbergh (grandson of famed aviation pioneer Charles Lindbergh) for purpose of accelerating the electrification of flight, VerdeGo sets out to combine conventional propulsion architectures with next-generation electric technologies. Of late, VerdeGo has been about the business of developing the VH-3 powerplant, an efficient means by which to convert the chemical-energy of liquid fuels—e.g., Jet-A, JP-8, SAF, e-fuels—into electricity. The hybrid-electric powerplant comprises a reciprocating aero-engine, power electronics, control systems, and thermal management systems, the integration of which occasions highly-efficient, long-duration energy output.

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Coupled Approach An instrument approach performed by the aircraft autopilot, and/or visually depicted on the flight director, which is receiving position information and/or steering commands from onboard navigational equipment. In general, coupled non-precision approaches must be flown manually (autopilot disengaged) at altitudes lower than 50 feet AGL below the minimum descent altitude, and coupled precision approaches must be flown manually (autopilot disengaged) below 50 feet AGL unless authorized to conduct autoland operations. Coupled instrument approaches are commonly flown to the allowable IFR weather minima established by the operator or PIC, or flown VFR for training and safety.