“How do we use aerial mobility in the future on Mars, to help not just robotic exploration, but to help human exploration?”
Ellen Stofan
Smithsonian
More Space Content From Aviation Week & Space Technology
Jan 08, 2026
Rocket Lab joins established primes as the U.S. Space Development Agency scales its proliferated missile-warning and tracking architecture.
Jan 07, 2026
The cover of the issue dated January 26, 1970, showed a boilerplate version of an advanced upper-stage hybrid rocket engine that developed 8,000-lb. thrust during a 35-second firing at United Technology Center's Coyote, California's facility.
Jan 06, 2026
Pictured on the front cover of the January 19, 1976 issue was the RCA 24-channel communications satellite undergoing an RF subsystem checkout on a communications test range.
Jan 06, 2026
Aviation Week has announced the recipients for the Space category of the 68th Annual Laureate Awards, which recognizes exceptional achievements in the global aerospace industry.
Jan 04, 2026
Aviation Week spoke with Chris Coker about how the company’s commercial spacecraft heritage is driving development of the Power and Propulsion Element (PPE), which will serve as Gateway’s electric power source and maneuvering system.
Jan 02, 2026
The aviation industry today faces challenges that were unimaginable in 1927, yet the path forward still begins with bold dreams, fortitude and shared conviction.
Dec 19, 2025
Listen in to the annual Flubs & Forecasts edition of Check 6, where editors reflect on what they got right and wrong in 2025 and make their predictions for 2026.
Dec 19, 2025
Forecasts, snapshots and launch vehicles to watch.