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Magazine Issue

Aerospace Daily & Defense Report, October 1, 2025

VOL. 294 NO. 1 October 01, 2025
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Funding & Policy

Sean Duffy
article

NASA’s Return To Moon Top Priority For Acting Administrator

Sep 30, 2025
“We can’t waste a day,” Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy said Sept. 30 during an interview with Aviation Week on the sidelines of the International Astronautical Congress.
City lights streak below the International Space Station as it orbits above the Tanzania-Zambia border on Aug. 16, 2025.
article

Senate Dems Raise Concerns Over NASA Shutdown Spending Cuts

Sep 30, 2025
As the clock ticks toward a U.S. government shutdown, opponents claim the Trump administration will undermine NASA's missions, safety protocols and workforce.
Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach conducts pre-flight checks before his fini-flight in June 2025. Credit: U.S. Air Force
article

Trump Nominates Wilsbach For USAF Chief Of Staff

Sep 30, 2025
The U.S. Air Force finally has a formal nominee to be its top officer.

Daily Briefs

In Brief

Operations

Starship-Super Heavy flight test
article

SpaceX Eyes Oct. 13 For Next Starship-Super Heavy Flight

Sep 30, 2025
SpaceX is targeting Oct. 13 for the next Starship-Super Heavy flight test.
nyx capsule rendering
article

Exploration Co. Plans 2028 Demo Flight To ISS

Sep 30, 2025
The Exploration Co., a European startup developing cargo, and eventually crewed, spacecraft for LEO, plans a 2028 flight test to the ISS.
Credit: UK Royal Air Force
article

UK Royal Air Force Ends MQ-9 Reaper Operations

Sep 30, 2025
Operations in the Middle East with the Reaper ended on Sept. 30 and are transitioning to the new MQ-9B Protector, according to information provided to Aviation Week.

Programs

teseo mbda
article

MBDA Secures Production Contract For Teseo Mk. 2/E Anti-Ship Missile

Sep 30, 2025
European missile manufacturer MBDA has been contracted by the Italian government to begin production of a new anti-ship missile for the country’s navy.
Space Delta 2 members observe orbital data at Vandenberg Space Force Base
article

Space Force Deems ATLAS Data System Ready For Ops

Sep 30, 2025
The U.S. Space Force has accepted the Advanced Tracking and Launch Analysis System (ATLAS) for operational use.
nasa
article

NASA IG Audit Raises Aging Spacesuit Concerns

Sep 30, 2025
A NASA inspector general's audit raises safety and performance concerns about the agency's more than five-decade-old spacesuits.
f-35
article

Pentagon Awards Lockheed Martin F-35 Lot 18 Production Contract

Sep 30, 2025
The Pentagon has awarded Lockheed Martin the long-delayed F-35 Lot 18 production contract valued at $12.5 billion.
l3harris korean aew aircraft rendering
article

L3Harris Secures South Korea Airborne Early Warning Contract

Sep 30, 2025
South Korea has selected L3Harris to supply additional airborne early warning aircraft under its E-X Phase II program running through 2032.
Image taken during flight testing of Zone 5’s interceptor.
article

DIU Moves Forward With Anduril, Zone 5 In C-UAS Push

Sep 30, 2025
The Pentagon's Defense Innovation Unit has given the go-ahead for Anduril and Zone 5 to move forward on counter-uncrewed aircraft system efforts.

The Debrief

Concept image of a lunar nuclear power plant
article

Debrief: Nuclear Fission Vs. Regenerative Cells For Lunar Power

Sep 30, 2025
There are two leading approaches to staying on the Moon and powering through the frigid lunar night: nuclear fission reactors and regenerative fuel cells.