space   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Human Spaceflight & Space Stations   Space Policy & International Cooperation   Policy & Regulation   NASA  
SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

NASA inspector general: Artemis lunar spacesuits and ISS xEMU upgrades face delays into the 2031 window

NASA’s inspector general warns that new spacesuits required for Artemis lunar missions—and related suits supporting International Space Station operations—may not be ready until 2031. The assessment flags further schedule risk as NASA’s human lunar program continues to reshape architectures and milestones for the near term.

2026-04-20T20:02:21.781111-07:00
aviation   Routes   Middle East   PaxEx   Airline Industry & Market Trends   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Airbus   Airlines  
ch-aviation • Dirk Andrei Salcedo

Fiji Airways caps seats to Funafuti, Tuvalu amid fuel crisis

By ch-aviation: Fiji Airways (FJ, Nadi) has reduced seat availability on flights to and from Funafuti after the Tuvaluan government declared a state of emergency over critical fuel shortages linked to the ongoing Middle East conflict.

Also: The Independent, Dj's Aviation and aeroroutes.com
2026-04-20T18:35:03.295204-07:00
defense   Satellite   Space Force   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Space Policy & International Cooperation   Space Defense & Militarization   Policy & Regulation   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Pentagon officially ends OCX program, citing risk and delays

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — The Pentagon announced April 20 it has formally terminated the Next Generation Operational Control System, or OCX, ending a 15-year effort to modernize the ground system that operates the U.S.

Also: Aviation Week and 3 more
2026-04-20T15:38:16.984894-07:00
aviation   ATC   Airports   Accident   Airline Industry & Market Trends   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Airlines   Boeing 737   Southwest Airlines  
Associated Press • Josh Funk

Two Southwest Airlines planes came dangerously close in Nashville and had to take evasive action

By Associated Press: Two Southwest Airlines planes had to take evasive action to avoid colliding Saturday in Nashville, Tennessee, after an air traffic controller directed one pilot to turn into the path of the other plane.

Also: Paddle Your Own Kanoo, The Independent, thebulkheadseat.com, aeroxplorer.com, newschannel5.com, CBS News, Fortune and 5 more
2026-04-20T13:51:24.220894-07:00
space   Space Exploration & Science Missions   NASA  
Space.com • Robert Lea

NASA shuts down Voyager 1 instrument to keep probe exploring interstellar space

By Space.com: NASA engineers have shut down another instrument on Voyager 1 to preserve the power of the most distant spacecraft ever sent into space.

Also: The Independent, Phys.org and 4 more
2026-04-20T15:00:02.164662-07:00
aviation   Middle East   North America   Aircraft Demand: Airline Distress & Consolidation   Airline Industry & Market Trends   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Airlines  
Bloomberg • Sri Taylor

Alaska Air Suspends 2026 Guidance as Fuel Prices Batter Industry

By Bloomberg: Alaska Air Group Inc. suspended its full-year profit guidance and forecast a deeper loss than Wall Street expects for the second quarter, as the US carrier grapples with rising fuel costs amid war in the Middle East.

Also: Breitflyte, Seeking Alpha, airwaysmag.com and news.bgov.com
2026-04-20T15:34:48.802075-07:00
aviation   North America   M&A   Aircraft Demand: Airline Distress & Consolidation   Policy & Regulation   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Spirit Airlines  
Bloomberg • Allyson Versprille, Ryan Gould, Siddharth Philip

Spirit Floats Government Stake to Avoid Possible Liquidation

By Bloomberg: Spirit Aviation Holdings Inc. has floated offering the US government an equity stake in the discount carrier to help stave off its potential liquidation, according to people familiar with the matter.

2026-04-20T12:02:51.873490-07:00