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The Atlantic • Ian Bogost

Boeing 747’s Retirement Marks the End of the “Queen of the Skies” Era

The Boeing 747 is entering its final retirement phase, signaling the closure of an iconic chapter in U.S. commercial aviation design and ambition. The type’s drawdown also reframes how legacy widebody fleets are being preserved or repurposed, including through museum-style second lives.

2026-06-12T04:13:02.615274-07:00

Airbus

Airbus Defence and Space builds a German sovereign ISR coalition with Rohde & Schwarz, constellr, Orbint and HPS

2026-06-10T04:28:46.141552-07:00

Via Satellite

Astroscale launches AIRS initiative to improve data on atmospheric impacts from reentered spacecraft

2026-06-09T12:42:16.610956-07:00

SpaceWatch Global

OHB begins RAMSES planetary defense spacecraft build for spring 2028 launch

2026-06-08T00:11:15.037658-07:00

News Timeline

The Atlantic

Boeing 747’s Retirement Marks the End of the “Queen of the Skies” Era The Boeing 747 is entering its final retirement phase, signaling the closure of an iconic chapter in U.S. commercial aviation design and ambition. The type’s drawdown also reframes how legacy widebody fleets are being preserved or repurposed, including through museum-style second lives.

2026-06-12T04:13:02.615274-07:00

Boeing 747’s Retirement Marks the End of the “Queen of the Skies” Era

Airbus

Airbus Defence and Space builds a German sovereign ISR coalition with Rohde & Schwarz, constellr, Orbint and HPS At the Berlin Air Show, Airbus Defence and Space signed an MoU with Rohde & Schwarz, constellr, Orbint and High Performance Space Structure Systems to collaborate on a satellite-based Earth observation and sovereign intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) solution. The effort is positioned to bring together RF plus EO/IR—including SAR and thermal IR—for an autonomous capability.

2026-06-10T04:28:46.141552-07:00

Airbus Defence and Space builds a German sovereign ISR coalition with Rohde & Schwarz, constellr, Orbint and HPS

Via Satellite

Astroscale launches AIRS initiative to improve data on atmospheric impacts from reentered spacecraft Astroscale is leading the “Atmospheric Impacts of Reentered Spacecraft” (AIRS) initiative to advance study of how reentered spacecraft affect the atmosphere, combining better environmental data collection with protection of sensitive commercial information. Planet Labs joins as a founding participant to support the effort with its Earth-observation data capabilities.

2026-06-09T12:42:16.610956-07:00

Astroscale launches AIRS initiative to improve data on atmospheric impacts from reentered spacecraft

SpaceWatch Global

OHB begins RAMSES planetary defense spacecraft build for spring 2028 launch OHB has started construction of the RAMSES planetary defense mission spacecraft, targeting a spring 2028 launch. The move locks in an end-to-end schedule milestone for the spacecraft build ahead of integration and test, positioning RAMSES to meet its planned launch window.

2026-06-08T00:11:15.037658-07:00

OHB begins RAMSES planetary defense spacecraft build for spring 2028 launch

Wall Street Journal

Texas vs. Smithsonian: dispute over custody of a Space Shuttle as NASA-era assets move from programs to public display Texas and the Smithsonian are locked in a custody dispute over a Space Shuttle—an emblematic end-to-end “program-to-museum” challenge rooted in how NASA managed the Space Shuttle retirement logistics and subsequent public display disposition. The fight underscores how legacy human spaceflight hardware becomes a geopolitical and legal custody issue long after operations end.

2026-06-03T16:13:36.856669-07:00

Texas vs. Smithsonian: dispute over custody of a Space Shuttle as NASA-era assets move from programs to public display

Air Data News

Saab and Brazil’s Air Force explore a Gripen R&D center to deepen local development Saab and Brazil’s Air Force (FAB) are studying the creation of a Gripen-dedicated research and innovation center in Brazil, potentially linked to a facility near Embraer. The effort remains contingent on approvals and direction from Brazil’s Defense Minister José Múcio Monteiro.

2026-06-03T01:56:31.335048-07:00

Saab and Brazil’s Air Force explore a Gripen R&D center to deepen local development

SpaceNews.com

UK plans potential “first in-orbit” mission for astronaut John McFall with physical disability via Vast’s Haven-1 station The UK government is exploring sending Paralympian-turned-surgeon John McFall on a mission to Vast’s planned Haven-1 space station, targeting the potential first person with a physical disability to live in orbit. The effort follows a UK–Vast agreement for Haven-1-related participation by 2027.

2026-06-02T05:56:37.063884-07:00

UK plans potential “first in-orbit” mission for astronaut John McFall with physical disability via Vast’s Haven-1 station

Aviation Week

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Maeve Aerospace collapses into insolvency after failed funding for hybrid-electric regional aircraft Dutch hybrid-electric aircraft developer Maeve Aerospace has been declared bankrupt after failing to secure additional funding. The company’s SkyWest-backed regional hybrid-electric effort stalled, compounded by repeated changes to the proposed aircraft configuration during its short lifespan.

2026-06-01T02:27:30.422587-07:00

Maeve Aerospace collapses into insolvency after failed funding for hybrid-electric regional aircraft

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Museums News

Boeing 747’s Retirement Marks the End of the “Queen of the Skies” Era

Airbus Defence and Space builds a German sovereign ISR coalition with Rohde & Schwarz, constellr, Orbint and HPS

Astroscale launches AIRS initiative to improve data on atmospheric impacts from reentered spacecraft

OHB begins RAMSES planetary defense spacecraft build for spring 2028 launch

News Timeline