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SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

Portal Space Systems raises $50M to scale production of highly maneuverable, debris‑capture spacecraft

Portal Space Systems raised $50 million in a Series A led by Geodesic Capital and Mach33, with participation from Booz Allen Ventures, Ark Invest, AlleyCorp and FUSE. The Seattle‑area startup will use the capital to expand its team, scale manufacturing and move its rapid‑maneuver spacecraft into production for debris‑capture missions.

2026-04-09T08:07:25.018387-07:00

FlightGlobal

Lilium folds: eVTOL programme shuttered as prototypes are scrapped at Oberpfaffenhofen

2026-04-09T03:16:39.255775-07:00

FlightGlobal

AIX 2026 returns 14–16 April for its 25th edition with record participation, new zones and a passenger-experience push

2026-04-09T05:36:13.004216-07:00

Air Data News

Boeing to open fourth 737 MAX 'North Line' in Everett this summer, targeting >47 jets/month

2026-04-09T00:16:32.851780-07:00

News Timeline

FlightGlobal

USAF awards $29.7M to Beehive to advance Frenzy low‑cost turbojets for swarm drones On 9 April the U.S. Air Force awarded Beehive Industries a $29.7 million contract to advance its low‑cost Frenzy turbojet family, funding flight testing of the 200‑lb‑thrust Frenzy 8 and prototype fabrication of the 100‑lb‑thrust Frenzy 6 to support operational, scalable production for swarm‑class drones.

2026-04-09T14:01:12.762414-07:00

USAF awards $29.7M to Beehive to advance Frenzy low‑cost turbojets for swarm drones

SpaceNews.com

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Portal Space Systems raises $50M to scale production of highly maneuverable, debris‑capture spacecraft Portal Space Systems raised $50 million in a Series A led by Geodesic Capital and Mach33, with participation from Booz Allen Ventures, Ark Invest, AlleyCorp and FUSE. The Seattle‑area startup will use the capital to expand its team, scale manufacturing and move its rapid‑maneuver spacecraft into production for debris‑capture missions.

2026-04-09T08:07:25.018387-07:00

Portal Space Systems raises $50M to scale production of highly maneuverable, debris‑capture spacecraft

FlightGlobal

AIX 2026 returns 14–16 April for its 25th edition with record participation, new zones and a passenger-experience push AIX returns 14–16 April 2026 for its 25th edition, billed by organisers as the "most ambitious" show yet. With record participation, new exhibition zones and a programme squarely focused on the future of passenger experience, AIX 2026 will be a milestone for cabin suppliers and airline product teams.

2026-04-09T05:36:13.004216-07:00

AIX 2026 returns 14–16 April for its 25th edition with record participation, new zones and a passenger-experience push

Runway Girl

Scottish Leather Group acquires Aerotech Systems to expand aerospace interiors capability Scottish Leather Group has acquired Aerotech Systems Limited in a strategic deal intended to expand the group's aerospace interiors capability. The acquisition brings Aerotech into SLG’s cabin supply offering, increasing its manufacturing and procurement scale within the UK interiors supply chain as suppliers compete for seat and cabin work.

2026-04-09T05:06:53.234701-07:00

Scottish Leather Group acquires Aerotech Systems to expand aerospace interiors capability

FlightGlobal

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Lilium folds: eVTOL programme shuttered as prototypes are scrapped at Oberpfaffenhofen A little over a year after its second and final insolvency, Lilium has dismantled its all-electric regional aircraft programme, removing prototypes and facilities at its former Oberpfaffenhofen base. Two Lilium Jet prototypes, including the first flight-test aircraft, were scrapped following the company’s collapse in February 2025.

2026-04-09T03:16:39.255775-07:00

Lilium folds: eVTOL programme shuttered as prototypes are scrapped at Oberpfaffenhofen

Inflight Online

SHD Composites, Safran-backed EcoSuite consortium develop lightweight sustainable materials for aircraft interiors SHD Composites has developed lightweight, sustainable materials and processes for EcoSuite, a UK consortium led by Safran Seats GB and including government, research and industry partners. The programme pairs UK innovation with Safran Group’s global engineering capability to reduce weight and lifecycle emissions of aircraft interiors.

2026-04-09T02:57:14.713349-07:00

SHD Composites, Safran-backed EcoSuite consortium develop lightweight sustainable materials for aircraft interiors

AINonline

Vaeridion raises funds to build Microliner prototype as Oberpfaffenhofen industrialisation accelerates German startup Vaeridion is fundraising to build a prototype of its Microliner regional electric aircraft while accelerating industrialisation at Oberpfaffenhofen after acquiring the former Lilium battery centre. The move pairs prototype development with on‑site battery production capacity for its electric aircraft programme.

2026-04-09T02:06:39.344533-07:00

Vaeridion raises funds to build Microliner prototype as Oberpfaffenhofen industrialisation accelerates

FlightGlobal

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France commits €12.2m to Ascendance to launch Sterna hybrid-electric powertrain series production Ascendance has secured €12.2m ($14.2m) from the French government over four years via the France 2030 – Première Usine programme to begin series production of its Sterna hybrid-electric powertrain. The funding will accelerate establishment of production capacity and move the powertrain from demonstrator to industrialised manufacturing.

2026-04-09T01:37:46.786220-07:00

France commits €12.2m to Ascendance to launch Sterna hybrid-electric powertrain series production

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Portal Space Systems raises $50M to scale production of highly maneuverable, debris‑capture spacecraft

Lilium folds: eVTOL programme shuttered as prototypes are scrapped at Oberpfaffenhofen

AIX 2026 returns 14–16 April for its 25th edition with record participation, new zones and a passenger-experience push

Boeing to open fourth 737 MAX 'North Line' in Everett this summer, targeting >47 jets/month

News Timeline