Aviation, Defense and Space Industry News by Hype

space Mars China Moon Space Exploration & Science Missions

NASA Spaceflight • Martin Smith

China advances Mars sample-return plans while developing a 2029 Apophis flyby mission

China is integrating crewed and robotic missions into its broader lunar exploration program while advancing plans to return the first samples from Mars. Separately, a student-led spacecraft is being developed for a 2029 flyby of near-Earth asteroid Apophis, extending the country’s deep-space ambitions.

1 Source

2026-09-18T15:20:28.922398-07:00

aviation Orders Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Airlines

Aviacionline • Edgardo Gimenez Mazó

Aeroflot seals order for 90 MC-21-310s, the largest in Russian civil aviation history

By Aviacionline: It adds to the standing order for 18 aircraft agreed in 2023. The contract covers simulators, crew training and 22 years of aftermarket support.

Also: FlightGlobal

3 Sources

2026-09-18T12:35:11.290881-07:00

defense UAV Development & Drone Programs AI Defense Policy

DefenseNews.com

‘Our task is to adapt right now’: Air Force leaders gather to plot future of warfare

By DefenseNews.com: Looking into a future filled with drones and AI, the Air and Space Forces prepare for a battlespace radically changed by emerging tech.

Also: AirForceTimes and Military Times

3 Sources

2026-09-18T13:35:53.080461-07:00

aviation Routes Policy & Regulation Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Airlines

FlightGlobal • Graham Rapier

US airlines urge government to not allow new Air China flights

By FlightGlobal: Airlines for America argues US carriers are at a disadvantage in not being able to overfly Russia on routes to China The trade group representing major US airlines is urging regulators not to allow new Air China flights to New York and Washington, DC.

1 Source

2026-09-18T14:05:07.778978-07:00

space ISS Human Spaceflight & Space Stations Commercial Space Boeing NASA

Reuters

SpaceX to fly more NASA crews to space station under expanded $5.92 billion deal

By Reuters: NASA said Friday that the agency had given SpaceX a $946 million contract to fly three more astronaut missions to the International Space Station, extending the company's crewed flights to the station ‌through 2030.

Wall Street Journal

NASA Explores New Missions With Boeing’s Troubled Starliner Spacecraft

SpaceNews.com

NASA adds three ISS missions to SpaceX Crew Dragon contract

Also: Reuters, CNBC, Yahoo Finance, Seeking Alpha, newsable.asianetnews.com and 4 more

13 Sources

2026-09-18T10:35:38.220591-07:00

space Viasat Satellite Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

SpaceNews.com • Jason Rainbow

Final ViaSat-3 enters service as SES wraps up O3b mPower launch campaign

By SpaceNews.com: The third and final terabit-class ViaSat-3 broadband satellite has entered service over the Americas, the U.S. operator announced Sept. 17, days after SpaceX launched the final three spacecraft for Luxembourg-based SES’ O3b mPower network.

2 Sources

2026-09-18T13:50:39.135752-07:00

aviation Routes North America Airline Industry & Market Trends Air Canada Airlines Southwest Airlines United Airlines

FlightGlobal • Graham Rapier

Prolonged fuel spike prompts US airlines to reevaluate Q4 capacity plans

By FlightGlobal: United, American and Southwest warn they will cull schedules if fuel costs remain elevated. With the price of jet fuel lingering near all-time highs, airlines and investors are questioning if capacity plans for the critical winter months can hold.

Also: Fortune, Fox Business and Aviation Week

4 Sources

2026-09-18T11:35:29.488531-07:00

aviation Airports Aviation Safety & Regulation Policy & Regulation