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Magazine Issue

Aviation Week & Space Technology, Oct. 20, 2025

VOL. 187 NO. 41 October 20, 2025
Cover of Aviation Week for Oct. 20, 2025

SpaceX’s 11th Starship-Super Heavy flight test, including the Starship upper stage’s on-target splashdown in the Indian Ocean, marked the company's latest effort to develop an easily reusable, highly reliable, low-cost transportation service for Earth orbit and beyond. 

Credit: SpaceX

SPACE

Super Heavy Version 2 booster above ocean
article

SpaceX Finishes Five-Flight Starship-Super Heavy Version 2 Test Series

Oct 17, 2025
Starlink deployments and orbital fueling demos are on tap for the Starship Version 3 flights that SpaceX will begin in 2026.

AEROSPACE IN JAPAN

rocket engine testing firing
article

Japan’s Interstellar Plans To Take A Slice of SpaceX’s Business

Oct 17, 2025
Launch vehicle startup Interstellar Technologies, based on the Japanese island of Hokkaido, is leaning on Toyota Motor’s manufacturing expertise.

DEFENSE

surface-to-air missile system
article

Turkey Accelerates Development of Air And Missile Defense Umbrella

Oct 15, 2025
Turkish defense giant Aselsan has taken a lead role in Steel Dome—a homegrown air defense network to counter low-cost multicopter drones and hypersonic missiles.

MILITARY SPACE

Apex ribbon-cutting ceremony
article

Apex Scales Up With Ambitions To Become Premier Satellite Builder

Oct 15, 2025
With a new facility online and $1 billion in valuation, the young startup says it is poised to build satellite buses for generations to come.

MANUFACTURING

Spirit AeroSystems assembly line
article

Goodbye, Large Independent Aerostructure Companies

Oct 17, 2025
With the acquisitions of Spirit AeroSystems given the green light in Europe, the end of an era of stand-alone aerostructures giants is in sight.

SUPPLY CHAIN

Ryanair aircraft
article

IATA Report Underscores The Cost To Airlines Of Stressed Supply Chain

Oct 17, 2025
More industry cooperation could help offset the costs of delayed aircraft deliveries and increase fleet efficiency, IATA report concludes.

COMMERCIAL AVIATION

AerCap CEO Aengus Kelly and SMBC CEO Peter Barrett
article

Aircraft Leasing Sector Consolidation To Continue

Oct 14, 2025
Two big players have emerged in the aircraft leasing industry, and the pressure is now on for smaller players looking to keep up.
Southwest cabin design
article

Southwest Airlines Embraces Cabin Changes In Ongoing Brand Evolution

Oct 17, 2025
Southwest is evolving into its next chapter, changing certain hallmarks of its brand and pursuing new customer preferences to expand its reach.
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
article

Europe’s Airports Face Up To Noise Scrutiny

Oct 16, 2025
Airports want to make the most of increasing passenger demand, but concerns about noise levels and emissions may hold back growth.

MAINTENANCE, REPAIR AND OVERHAUL

MRO Europe 2024
podcast

Podcast: What Not To Miss At MRO Europe

Oct 12, 2025
With Aviation Week's MRO Europe coming up—Oct 14-16 in London—Aviation Week editors discuss some the exhibition, conference and GoLive! Theater highlights.

COLUMNS AND OPINION

Aloft AeroArchitects hangar
article

Aloft Delivers Complete ‘Design, Build, Install And Certify’ Solutions

Oct 17, 2025
The company will celebrate 50 years in 2026. It specializes in auxiliary fuel systems for aircraft range extension, plus maintenance and custom interiors.
Exit sign on a Boeing 737 MAX
article

Daily Memo: Grabbing Carry-Ons During An Evacuation—How Bad Could It Be?

Sep 25, 2025
Turns out the risk of grabbing a bag in the midst of an emergency evacuation is more dangerous than many might expect.