Aviation, Defense and Space Industry News by Hype

space Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

NASA Spaceflight • Chris Bergin, Martijn Luinstra

Firefly Aerospace advances medium-lift rocket and Alpha launcher as $1.5B backlog supports growth

Firefly Aerospace is developing a next-generation medium-lift rocket while refining its operational Alpha smallsat launcher, targeting both commercial and government markets. The company’s reported $1.5 billion backlog and 95% of 2026 revenue booked support its growth outlook, although cash burn and valuation remain material risks.

Also: Seeking Alpha

2 Sources

2026-08-16T09:32:22.016587-07:00

aviation PaxEx Airports Accident Aviation Safety & Regulation

Paddle Your Own Kanoo • Mateusz Maszczynski

Fire Erupts in Luggage Container Moments Before it Was Due to Be Loaded on Packed British Airways Plane at Milan Malpensa

By Paddle Your Own Kanoo: What to Know A fire broke out in a luggage container moments before it was due to be loaded onto a British Airways flight at Milan Malpensa, with a lithium battery suspected as the cause.

1 Source

2026-08-16T08:20:22.150788-07:00

defense UAV Development & Drone Programs F-16 Europe Accident Aviation Safety & Regulation Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

Reuters

Suspected Russian drone shot down in Romanian airspace

By Reuters: An F-18 fighter on a NATO air-policing mission shot the drone down, Romania said.

AeroTime

Spanish F-18 shoots down drone over Romania after approach via Moldova

The Independent

Nato jets scrambled as suspected Russian drone shot down in Romanian airspace

Also: NBC News, ANI News Agency, CBS News, CNN and 4 more

12 Sources

2026-08-15T20:50:01.156498-07:00

space Moon Space Exploration & Science Missions NASA

Space.com • Elizabeth Howell

NASA funds spherical 'Aerobots' that could explore the caves of Saturn's moon Titan

By Space.com: An early-stage grant is offering a look at spherical 'Aerobots' that could zoom around the caves of Titan, in a demo mission similar to Mars Ingenuity.

1 Source

2026-08-16T08:05:07.009695-07:00

space Space Exploration & Science Missions Human Spaceflight & Space Stations NASA

Space.com • Leonard David

Artemis II pilot thanks NASA for letting him fly Orion by hand: 'I'm still blown away by that trust'

By Space.com: The Artemis II crew thanked NASA and its contractors in front of a crowd of over 8,000 on on Aug. 3, 2026 at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado.

2 Sources

2026-08-16T06:05:05.936344-07:00

space LEO Space Exploration & Science Missions Commercial Space

The Hill • Mark R. Whittington

SpaceMD to Use Starfall for Space-Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Mission

By The Hill: SpaceMD’s use of Starfall represents a leap forward toward treatments for everything from cancer to Alzheimer’s disease being created in low Earth orbit.

1 Source

2026-08-16T07:28:42.190800-07:00

space Satellite Defense Industry & Major Contractors Space Defense & Militarization Space Debris & Traffic Management

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

U.S. defense agencies tap three companies for satellite disposal study

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — Three companies have been selected to study options for providing satellite deorbiting services to the U.S. government as the Pentagon explores whether disposal of aging spacecraft can be purchased from commercial operators rather than handled through a dedicated government capability.

1 Source

2026-08-16T04:10:37.326689-07:00