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Magazine Issue

Aviation Week & Space Technology, October 21, 2024

VOL. 186 NO. 41 October 21, 2024
Cover of Oct. 21, 2024, Digital Edition of AW&ST
Credit: John Kraus Photos

SpaceX turned a corner in proving that its new space transport is on track to become a fully reusable system that could cut launch costs substantially. In its fifth Starship-Super Heavy integrated flight test Oct. 13, a Super Heavy booster was caught on the first attempt, and the Starship upper stage splashed down on target. 

SPACE

Starship-Super Heavy flight test
article

SpaceX Steps Toward ‘Aircraft-Like Ops’ With Starship Booster Catch

Oct 18, 2024
Landing of the Starship upper stage is targeted for early 2025.
subscale Tesserae tiles
article

Aurelia To Test Subscale Self-Assembling Space Station Technology

Oct 14, 2024
Magnets guide construction of geodesic space structures that could be built larger than launch vehicles.

COMMERCIAL AVIATION

JetZero demonstrator
article

JetZero Steps Up Blended Wing Body Development

Oct 17, 2024
Airline interest in the BWB concept grows as the U.S. Air Force-supported JetZero program primes the pump for commercial and military applications.
Aegean aircraft
article

Airlines Bet On Lengthening Summer Season To Expand Demand

Oct 14, 2024
Encouraging travelers to book flights outside the peak summer season is good for airlines and passengers alike.
Lufthansa aircraft on runway
article

Overseas Airlines Grapple With Major Challenges In The Chinese Market

Oct 18, 2024
Sluggish demand, Russian airspace closure and growing competition from Chinese carriers are affecting airlines from other countries.

TRAINING

Two pilots in aircraft cockpit while third person works on tablet and desktop
article

New Pilot Training Approach Focuses On Broadly Applicable Capabilities

Oct 17, 2024
Promoters of competency-based training and assessment are striving to expand the use of the methodology.

FIREFIGHTING

aircraft releasing orange flame retardant over forest
article

New-Generation Aircraft In Development For Aerial Firefighting Mission

Oct 15, 2024
As the threat of wildfires grows, industry prepares new fleets of modern fixed-wing aircraft to tackle them.
CH-47 Chinook dropping water over forested area
article

Skills Shortages Complicate Aerial Firefighting

Oct 16, 2024
Like the rest of the aerospace industry, the firefighting sector struggles to retain and train enough people in the face of increasing demand.
Muon Space satellite
article

AI-Assisted Infrared Satellites Could Detect Wildfires Within 9 Min.

Oct 18, 2024
A Google-backed nonprofit is leaning heavily on deploying artificial intelligence to detect fires.

DEFENSE

rotorcraft in flight
article

Airbus Eyes Connected Combat For Future Military Helicopters

Oct 16, 2024
Airbus wants to extend battlefield connectivity of the Future Combat Air System to its helicopters.
Group gathered around Advanced Defense Fighter
article

Taiwan’s Advanced Defense Fighter Is Undone By Cost And Politics

Oct 18, 2024
Taipei is scaling back its industrial ambitions in ending its pursuit of a homegrown fifth-generation fighter.

ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY

article

Electric And Hybrid Startups Aim To Revitalize Seaplane Transport

Oct 17, 2024
A handful of startups are betting that more efficient electric and hybrid propulsion will open up new markets around the world for water-based aviation.

TECHNOLOGY

fan-in-wing high-speed VTOL airlifter concept
article

The Week In Technology, Oct. 14-18, 2024

Oct 14, 2024
Fan-in-wing VTOL airlifter; Electrifying the C-130; Hover record goal for LH2 drone; Fly-drive logistics eVTOL.

COLUMNS AND OPINION

AeroVironment Switchblade 600
article

Commentary: The U.S. Needs World War II Production Strategy For Drones

Oct 15, 2024
Commercial electronics producers, including those in East Asia, could be vital to the U.S. war effort.