Video: Next-gen supersonic aircraft takes flight

The first private supersonic aircraft since Concorde retired two decades ago has taken to the skies. On March 22, Boom’s XB-1 supersonic demonstrator completed its maiden flight at the Mojave Air & Space Port in Mojave, California.Continue ReadingCateg… Continue reading Video: Next-gen supersonic aircraft takes flight

Video: Talon-A1 test vehicle makes near-hypersonic first powered flight

Stratolaunch Systems, the company behind the world’s largest aircraft, is making headlines again. The firm’s Talon-A1 hypersonic test aircraft has successfully completed its first powered flight, which took place last weekend in Mojave, California.Cont… Continue reading Video: Talon-A1 test vehicle makes near-hypersonic first powered flight

Full-scale Overair Butterfly eVTOL prototype is set for first test flights

eVTOLs are one of those things that many groups announce their plans to create, but fail to produce in actual physical form. Such is not the case with Overair’s Butterfly, however, the just-unveiled prototype of which should soon begin flight testing.C… Continue reading Full-scale Overair Butterfly eVTOL prototype is set for first test flights

Electra’s eSTOL demonstrator aircraft makes its first flights

Two years ago, American air mobility company Electra announced that it was partnering with the US Air Force on the development of an ultra-short takeoff and landing (ultra-STOL) aircraft. Earlier this month, a demonstrator version of that plane made it… Continue reading Electra’s eSTOL demonstrator aircraft makes its first flights

Mk-II Aurora suborbital spaceplane makes first rocket-powered flights

Back in 2021, we heard how the Mk-II Aurora suborbital spaceplane had made its first test flights … but it was using surrogate jet engines. Now, however, the vehicle has made its first flights using an actual rocket engine.Continue ReadingCategory: Spa… Continue reading Mk-II Aurora suborbital spaceplane makes first rocket-powered flights

Blue Origin rehearses for passengers during latest capsule test flight

Blue Origin came a step closer to crewed flights today as ground personnel stood in for astronauts during the 15th New Shepard suborbital space mission. Before the NS-15 mission lifted off, the “astronauts” carried out preflight capsule procedures and … Continue reading Blue Origin rehearses for passengers during latest capsule test flight

Hypersonic weapon setback after USAF missile prototype fails to launch

The US Air Force’s long anticipated first powered flight test of the AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW) hypersonic missile was scrubbed this week when the booster vehicle failed to launch from the B-52H Stratofortress bomber. The eighth… Continue reading Hypersonic weapon setback after USAF missile prototype fails to launch

Virgin Orbit comes up short on its first attempt to reach space

Launch service startup Virgin Orbit has come up short on its first attempt to reach orbit today, with the mission terminated soon after ignition of its LauncherOne rocket. While the company’s modified 747 carried the booster to altitude as planned, the… Continue reading Virgin Orbit comes up short on its first attempt to reach space