Aerospace
French astronaut Pesquet calls for European space independence
French astronaut Thomas Pesquet on Tuesday (7 June) urged Europe to seize the momentum created by its newfound diplomatic unity and "start moving now" to develop its own human spaceflight capacity.
ESA does not anticipate Russian withdrawal from ISS
The European Space Agency does not expect Russia to terminate the joint operation of the International Space Station (ISS) with the West, ESA Director-General Josef Aschbacher told Reuters on Wednesday (25 May).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Airbus and Boeing sold just one plane in June
The global aerospace duopoly of Airbus and Boeing managed to sell just one aircraft in June, as the virus outbreak’s economic impact on the aviation industry and the grounded MAX scandal continues to affect order books.
Airbus ponders hydrogen’s flying future
European aerospace giant Airbus sees hydrogen power as “one of the most promising technologies available” to decarbonise air travel and is looking to utilise it as part of plans to roll out a zero-emission aircraft by 2035.
Germany urges ‘no favours’ in Airbus job cuts
German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier on Wednesday (1 July) urged plane builder Airbus to spread the pain fairly as it cuts 15,000 jobs to deal with lower orders following the coronavirus pandemic.