Aerospace
Airbus urges EU leaders not to sanction Russian titanium
Airbus urged Europe on Tuesday (12 April) not to block imports of titanium from Russia, saying sanctions on the strategic metal would damage aerospace while barely hurting Russia's economy.
Major US airlines warn 5G could ground some planes, wreak havoc
The chief executives of major US passenger and cargo carriers on Monday (17 January) warned of an impending "catastrophic" aviation crisis in less than 36 hours, when AT&T and Verizon are set to deploy new 5G service.
James Webb telescope sets off on million-mile voyage
The world's most powerful space telescope on Saturday (25 December) blasted off into orbit, headed to an outpost 1.5 million kilometres from Earth, after several delays caused by technical hitches.
ISS astronauts return to earth in SpaceX craft
A SpaceX capsule carrying four astronauts back to Earth after a busy six months on the International Space Station landed Monday (8 November) off the coast of Florida, a NASA live broadcast showed.
The climate cost of the new space race
Space tourism has become a reality in the last month, with two billionaires jetting off to brush the edge of space in ground-breaking technology, but the CO2 emissions of such trips could carry a heavy price for the climate.
SpaceX launches third crew to ISS on recycled rocket in world first
SpaceX launched its third crew to the International Space Station an hour before sunrise Friday (23 April), recycling a rocket and spacecraft for the first time.
Space experts: Cheaper ‘real-time data’ needed for earth monitoring services
Satellites can help track things like extreme weather, forest stocks and methane emissions, but more and cheaper "near real-time data" is needed for next generation applications to emerge, say Miguel Bello and Ricardo Conde.
Boeing crash victim families denounce EU’s upcoming MAX approval
The families of the victims of a deadly plane crash lodged a complaint with the EU’s aviation safety regulator on Tuesday (22 December), which is due to give the Boeing MAX aircraft permission to return to the sky in January.
Airbus reveals hydrogen ‘plane pods’ concept
European aerospace giant Airbus revealed more details about its hydrogen aircraft project on Thursday (17 December), which could include a propeller-driven plane "unlike anything seen on today’s runways".
Plane power set for a defining decade
Aviation technology is due to reach new heights over the course of the next decade, as efficiency improvements, advancements in fuel development and even new forms of propulsion take to the skies. It could usher in a new age of flight.
European transport’s green drive on the starting line
The European Commission launched on Wednesday (9 December) its vision for how to clean up transport’s emissions act, as part of a four year action plan designed to help the bloc hit its 2050 climate-neutrality target.
Airline exec: EU should incentivise production of green fuels
Airlines are at the forefront of changes made to the way the aviation industry does business. When it comes to what to fuel aircraft with, carriers are increasingly turning to greener options. EURACTIV spoke to an airline executive about that fuel shift.
SAF success stories reveal air travel’s green flightpath
Boosting the use of greener jet-fuel is both a regulatory and an operational challenge. Airports, airlines and manufacturers have all shown interest in sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) and are starting to use them more and more. Here are some of the success stories so far.
Airbus Horribilis: A nightmarish year masks a growing strategic role
The EU may need its flagship aero manufacturer more than it realises. With the stakes running high, Brussels has a vested interest in seeing Airbus emerge strongly from its horrible 2020, argues Cameron Rimington.
Eyeing extraterrestrial threats, NATO to set up new space centre in Germany
NATO defence ministers on Thursday (22 October) are expected to approve a plan to create a new space centre at the alliance's Air Command in Ramstein, Germany, in response to growing concerns over protecting satellite and navigation assets from enemy interference.
EU’s Sefcovic: Europe must be ‘much more strategic’ on raw materials
The European Union “cannot achieve” climate neutrality without critical raw materials like lithium and rare earths, says Commission vice-president Maroš Šefčovič. It now needs to be “much more strategic” in relations with supplier countries in order to ensure the bloc's “strategic autonomy,” he argues.
Aviation is an irreplaceable force for good in the world
Aviation’s precious role in society is at risk, as borders remain closed and influential voices in Europe call for permanent curbs on flying, warns Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury.
Airbus reveals ‘zero-emission’ plane plan
Aerospace giant Airbus has announced plans to build zero-emission aircraft using hydrogen power technology. On Monday (21 September), the firm revealed three concept designs that are on the table and is targeting a 2035 entry-into-service.
Energy firm turns to rocket science in bid to green transport
French energy company Engie is teaming up with aerospace firm the ArianeGroup to steal a march on its rivals in the hydrogen production business, by drawing on expertise gained through Europe’s space programme.
Transport timetable: What’s moving in late 2020
Europe's transport sector, already hard hit by the coronavirus outbreak, faces a crucial and possibly defining end to 2020. EU and global targets will start to bite, while new technologies will face a challenging acid test.
Spain agrees investment plan with Airbus to save jobs
Spain said Thursday (30 July) it had agreed with Airbus to invest €185 million to boost its aerospace sector and minimise job cuts by the European plane-maker in the country.
Airbus and EU see end to US subsidies spat with final concessions
Aerospace giant Airbus announced on Friday (24 July) that it has made changes to existing aircraft contracts in order to come into line with a World Trade Organisation (WTO) ruling on subsidies. The firm and the EU both insist that it “removes any justification for US tariffs”.
UK’s next-gen warplane could tap battery power
BAE Systems, the defence company behind the British air force’s new fighter jet, has teased the prospect of electric-battery systems playing a substantial role in powering the RAF’s next-generation Tempest warplane, due to enter service in the 2030s.