Maneuvered In Geosynchronous Orbit, U.S. To Test Soon

China’s space program took a bold step forward as two of its satellites in geosynchronous orbit appeared to dock in what might have been the country’s first attempt at refueling a satellite. Multiple civilian private satellite trackers using open source telescope imaging showed the Shijian-21 and Shijian-25 satellites moving closer together and then merge into a single object.

Eurofighter Manufacturing Awaits New Orders, As Skilled Techs Are Assigned Elsewhere

Over in the United Kingdom, tempers flare over BAE Systems’ handling of Eurofighter Typhoon production, with one group calling upon the government to place orders for a 4th tranche of fighters to keep the whole thing afloat. “Workers at BAE and across the whole UK defence and manufacturing industry will be looking at the ending of the Typhoon final assembly production at Warton and asking how a government promising to turn defence spending into ‘British growth, British jobs, British skills, British innovation’ could let it happen. I have repeatedly told government ministers how much is at risk in terms of jobs, skills, and national security if we stop assembling our own fighter planes. But instead of future planning and ensuring skilled workers are ready to produce the next generation of fighter jets (Global Combat Air Programme, or GCAP), they still seem content to sit on their hands while those skills begin to wither and die."

Back-and-Forth Between Bureaucrats Beats Back Budgetary Blow

An open letter to the Trump administration was posted in the hopes of supporting one of its first-term projects on the chopping block, bringing together a bevy of space businesses in support of the Traffic Coordination System for Space (TraCSS). TraCSS was developed by the NOAA’s Office of Space Commerce in the hopes of preventing future satellite collisions, entering into beta testing last fall, but now some think the industry can handle it all on their own...

Gets Funding For SPRINT Demonstrator Next Steps

Bell Textron announced it has been selected to advance to Phase 2 of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Speed and Runway Independent Technologies (SPRINT) X-Plane program with funding provided to complete the design, construction, ground testing, and certification of an X-plane demonstrator.

"OIQ"???—What The Heck Is That?

Pay attention, Oshkosh exhibitors... this is IMPORTANT. The OIQ is something essential for those of you doing any kind of business at AirVenture 2025— it's your OSHKOSH INNOVATION QUOTIENT, and it can be critially important to the success of your efforts. It determines your relevance, your ability to innovate, and your value to the aviation world.  And this year, we think there is no better way to display it than one of the most anticipated episodes of ANN's award-winning Airborne news program—dramatically scheduled for the Friday before AirVenture opens the gates. 

Tie-In with Cryptocurrency Payment System Trades Digi-Coins for Tickets

Soon, thanks to a preliminary deal between Emirates and Crypto.com, you’ll be able to book your first class ticket with FARTCOIN, a genuinely real digital currency with a $1.1-billion market cap. Since the deal will use existing crypto exchange infrastructure, it can be assumed that anything on the Crypto.com sytems will be accepted, however silly. The Gulf carrier will accept payments for Emirates tickets and offerings using Crypto.com’s payment trading service, opening up a whole wide world of real-life destinations to degenerate digi-gamblers.

Also: ANOTHER Illegal Drone, KidVenture Educational Activities, Record Launches, TSA v Shoes

The Senate confirmed Bryan Bedford to become the next Administrator of the FAA, in a near party-line 53-43 vote. Bedford takes over the agency during a critical time when safety issues have become prominent and Congress has approved initial funding for the complete overhaul of the air traffic control system that is slated to be completed in the next 3-4 years. In a post on Truth Social, President Trump said, "I am pleased to announce that I am directing our GREAT Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, to be Interim Administrator of NASA. He will be a fantastic leader of the ever more important Space Agency, even if only for a short period of time." NASA’s old-school WB-57 got a workout this week with a novel mission for the classic aircraft: Emergency assessment of the devastated Texas Hill Country. The high-altitude WB-57 has been a trusty w

From 2021: The Inside Skinny On What Being An ANN Oshkosh Stringer Is All About

By ANN Senior Stringer Extraordinare, Gene Yarbrough The annual gathering at Oshkosh is a right of passage or a pilgrimage to Mecca for many. However the rank and file public rarely have the opportunity to experience the FULL Oshkosh experience. Oshkosh, like onions and ogres, is a multi-layered microcosm within the enigma of the greater Wisconsin county in which it transpires. The Aero-News Network stringer has opportunity, and if so inclined, the access to every aspect of general aviation including the "behind the scenes" view few even know exist.

An Amazing Experience Awaits The Chosen Few...

Oshkosh, to us, seems the perfect place to get started on watching aviation recover the past couple of years... and so ANN is putting EXTRA effort and resources into our coverage of Oshkosh 2025... just a little under 90 days hence. We are now undertaking the process to seek talented stringers to help us present Oshkosh and the sport and general aviation community to the world around us. If you ever thought about joining us, this is THE year to do it. IF YOU want to be a part of this unique adventure, speak up NOW, rather than later, because we're going to be looking for the best volunteer folks we can find and are planning to do so ASAP. You've been warned (grin)....

Also: Sully v Bedford, Embraer Scholarships, NORAD Intercepts 11, GAMA Thankful

Middle Georgia State University will be joining the Federal Aviation Administration’s fight against the air traffic controller shortage through its collegiate training initiative program, known as AT-CTI. It joins six other educational institutions from across the US. With the buzz of the 2025 competition settling down, the Air Race Classic (ARC) is ready to re-stir the pot by unveiling its 2026 route. The all-women’s cross-country will center around Illinois, taking pilots on a southern loop through 10 stops. The race is set to take place from June 23 to 26, 2026, kicking off in East Alton, Illinois, and winding through eight additional stops before finishing in Mount Vernon, Illinois. With an increasingly high rate of flying car customers proving to be non-pilots, manufacturer Samson Sky is introducing a new training program using its Switchblade vehicle.