space   Satellite   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Policy & Regulation   NASA  
SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

NASA issues final RFP for Mars communications orbiter with bidder eligibility constraints

NASA has released the final request for proposals for a Mars communications orbiter. The solicitation confirms technical and program requirements that narrow which companies are eligible to bid, setting the competitive field for the next dedicated interplanetary relay capability.

2026-05-16T15:53:12.684646-07:00
defense   UAV Development & Drone Programs   Middle East   Europe   Airports   Military Aircraft Procurement   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
Aviation Week • Tony Osborne

UK Eurofighter Anti-Drone Guided Rocket Capability Pushed To Front-Line Service

By Aviation Week: UK Eurofighters deploy APKWS rockets in the Middle East to counter one-way attack drones, marking a rapid integration of guided rocket technology.

Also: The Aviationist, Janes, defence-industry.eu and aerospaceglobalnews.com
2026-05-16T16:10:48.963293-07:00
aviation   PaxEx   Europe   Accident   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Airlines   Boeing  
Paddle Your Own Kanoo • Mateusz Maszczynski

British Airways Flight Attendant On His Second Day at Work Activates Emergency Slide, Delays Flight by Six Hours

By Paddle Your Own Kanoo: A brand new British Airways flight attendant on his second only flight accidentally activated an emergency evacuation slide on a Boeing 777-200, preparing for a transatlantic flight from London Heathrow to Washington Dulles on Saturday afternoon.

2026-05-16T13:10:55.855219-07:00
space   Space Force   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Space Defense & Militarization   Defense Policy  
SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

York Space defends growth strategy as SDA programs are reshaped

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — Just months after its public debut, York Space Systems is confronting a question that goes to the core of its business model: what happens when the Pentagon program that fueled its rise is fundamentally reorganized.

2026-05-16T15:08:52.224700-07:00
space   Satellite   Space Force   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Space Defense & Militarization  
SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Space Force awards Northrop Grumman $398 million satellite contract

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — The U.S. Space Force awarded Northrop Grumman a $398 million contract to build a prototype communications satellite intended to demonstrate anti-jamming technologies for military operations in contested environments, the Space Systems Command said May 15.

Also: Defense Daily and insidedefense.com
2026-05-16T07:53:09.719393-07:00
aviation   Europe   Airports   Accident   Airline Industry & Market Trends   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Airbus   Airlines  
FlightGlobal • David Kaminski-Morrow

Croatia Airlines A220 suffers runway excursion during aborted take-off at Split

By FlightGlobal: Twinjet bound for Frankfurt apparently hits signboard as it veers onto grass. One of Croatia Airlines’ Airbus A220-300s has suffered a runway excursion while aborting take-off from Split.

Also: Air Data News, Aviation24 and exyuaviation.com
2026-05-16T09:41:39.659656-07:00
defense   Aircraft Carrier   North America   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
Associated Press • Associated Press

USS Gerald R. Ford Returns to Norfolk After 11-Month Deployment

By Associated Press: The USS Gerald R. Ford has returned home to Virginia. The world's largest aircraft carrier is back in port at Naval Station Norfolk after an 11-month deployment.

Also: Fortune, CNN, The Independent, lemonde.fr and ibtimes.com
2026-05-16T07:54:56.501768-07:00