Aerospace Daily & Defense Report

Three NASA astronauts and a Russian cosmonaut arrived at the ISS early March 5 with the autonomous docking of the SpaceX Crew-8 Dragon Endeavour capsule.

NASA’s Planetary Science Division is hopeful it can craft a new operating plan for the Mars Sample Return mission by July.

The FAA has granted a light-sport aircraft airworthiness exemption to Pipistrel’s two-seat, high-wing Velis Electro.

The acquisition is expected to close on April 1.

A compromise appropriations bill for fiscal 2024 keeps most funding for NASA’s Artemis lunar exploration initiative intact.

NASA has canceled its ambitious On-orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing 1 (OSAM-1) project after technical problems, cost overruns and delays.

Ultraquiet propulsion developer Whisper Aero is proposing a concept for a 100-seat battery-electric regional airliner.

The funding from investors Breeze Invest and Konos Holdings boosts CycloTech toward its goal of raising €53 million this year.

U.S. startups Transcend Air and MagLev Aero are collaborating on the potential application of MagLev’s frictionless electric propulsor technology.

Emirati defense group Edge has teamed with Spain’s Indra to create a “major industry player” in the development and production of radar systems in the UAE.

Spanish aerostructures and engine components supplier Aciturri is to acquire a stake in Dovetail Electric Aviation.

A Boeing acquisition of all or part of Spirit AeroSystems could be, if consummated, a surprise coup for the former’s defense business.

Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, European defense expenditure has increased by 26.7% in real terms, and its defense sector is still catching up.

Norwegian authorities have recovered the wreckage of a Sikorsky S-92 helicopter that crashed into the sea on Feb. 28, killing one and injuring five onboard.

Ampaire has acquired electric aero tow startup Magpie Aviation, part of its plan to branch out into new applications and expand its customer base.

RTAF has released a white paper on new procurement requirements, including fighter replacements, domestically produced munitions and anti-drone technology.

Three U.S. astronauts and a Russian cosmonaut began a 28-hr. ride to the ISS March 2, setting the stage for a six-month mission onboard the orbital outpost.

The move would secure Lockheed’s new-space supplier while putting an end to a dramatic couple of years for the space upstart.

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News in brief.

BOEING gets $3.4b for 17 Poseidons... AAR completes purchase of TRIUMPH’s product support business... COLUMBIA HELICOPTERS signs first international customer for Model 234SP...

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Financial analysts and industry observers respond to the news that Spirit AeroSystems is mulling some kind of sale, including to Boeing and Airbus.

Volocopter has received an extension to its Production Organization Approval from Germany’s aviation authority.

The U.S. military in the coming days will start a campaign of air dropping aid to Palestinians in Gaza, President Joe Biden announced March 1.