Aerospace & Defense Roundup: Feb. 10

Urban air mobility startup Archer is to go public in a deal that will raise up to $1.1 billion to fund commercialization of the company’s all-electric air taxi. The transaction includes investment and aircraft orders from United Airlines, with services planned to begin in 2024. Credit: Archer

Gateway

Newly formed Karman Missile & Space Systems, a large pure-play supplier for the space, missile, interceptor and hypersonic markets, is bulking up just weeks into its existence with the acquisition of AAE Aerospace, a manufacturer of high-temperature composites for the missile, interceptor, and space sectors. Credit: AAE Aerospace

Jamaica’s Defense Force (JDF) has ordered six Bell 505 single-engine turbine helicopters to be used for public safety missions and pilot training. The Caribbean island state becomes the second military customer for the rotorcraft after Montenegro’s air force ordered two of the aircraft last summer. Credit: Bell

After a shaky 2020, the outlook for space from government and commercial perspectives looks more favorable, though not without notable challenges, a lineup of experienced players from the two sectors say. The challenges include lingering regulatory and national security concerns that need timely attention from the Biden administration and Congress. Credit: NASA

With one of its two U.S. commercial space taxi lines not yet operational, NASA is considering bartering for an extra seat on a Russian Soyuz capsule slated to launch in April or May to the International Space Station (ISS), the agency said Feb. 9. “Obtaining this supplemental capability minimizes risks associated with any interruption in U.S. crew member presence on ISS,” NASA wrote on its procurement website. Credit: NASA—ACI/Penny Rogo Bailes

Garmin International said Feb. 10 that Joby Aviation has selected the Garmin G3000 integrated avionics suite for the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle it is developing. Garmin unveiled the G3000 at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) convention in 2009 as the first touchscreen-capable avionics system in its class, designed for FAA Part 23 light turbine aircraft. The system gained FAA and Brazilian ANAC certification in 2013 as an upgrade for the Embraer Phenom 300. Credit: Joby Aviation

China’s Tianwen-1 mother ship arrived in Martian orbit on Feb. 10, setting the stage for a multi-spacecraft exploration initiative during the country’s first visit to the red planet. Tianwen-1 wrapped up a seven-month, 300-million-mi. (475-million-km) journey at about 7:07 a.m. EST, becoming the second spacecraft in two days to reach Mars. Credit: CNSA

Russia wants to renew its space tourism activities by offering dedicated commercial missions to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard Soyuz rockets. Two companies are set to use Soyuz to offer private citizens the world’s first opportunity to perform a spacewalk. Credit: Space Adventures

Vertical Aerospace has tapped aerospace composites provider Solvay to supply the VA-1X electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi program. The deal calls for mutual access between Solvay’s European Application Centers and Vertical Aerospace’s office in Bristol, England.

U.S. Space Force logo.

Wireless charging system developer WiBotic on Feb. 10 announced an energy management software platform for fleet operators of drones and other robotic vehicles. Using the “Commander” platform, operators can visualize, configure and optimize the delivery of energy across a fleet of drones or any battery-powered device using WiBotic charging stations. Credit: WiBotic