Manned Systems

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Articles
RF & Microwave Electronics

How the US Space Force is Leveraging Commercial Antennas for Defense Applications

The U.S. Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) achieved a major milestone during a demonstration event in August, showcasing the Joint Antenna Marketplace (JAM) and successfully transferring the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory’s (NRL) Transmit/Receive Enterprise (TREx) Service from a research and development project into an SSC operational prototype. Read on to learn more.

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Briefs
Aerospace

Electric Propulsion for a Nuclear-Powered Spacecraft

To develop spacecraft that can “maneuver without regret,” the U.S. Space Force is providing $35 million to a national research team, including engineers at the University of Washington. It will be the first to bring fast chemical rockets together with efficient electric propulsion powered by a nuclear microreactor. Read on to learn more.

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Manned Systems

Using Ultrabright X-Rays to Test Materials for Ultrafast Aircraft

This might seem like an obvious statement, but designing an aircraft that flies at five to seven times the speed of sound is difficult. Paradoxically, materials for...

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Manned Systems

A New Solid Rocket Motor Facility for Lockheed Martin and Raytheon

Avio, the Italian space propulsion manufacturer, recently announced separate deals with Lockheed Martin and Raytheon to establish a new solid rocket motor (SRM) production...

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Robotics, Automation & Control

Meet Arc: Inversion's New Autonomous Space Vehicle for Logistics and Hypersonic Testing

Inversion, the California-based defense and space manufacturing startup, has unveiled its new flagship space vehicle designed for cargo delivery...

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Articles
Design

Selecting the Best Plastic for Spacecraft Applications

The purpose of this article is to present some design considerations when selecting plastics for use in spacecraft. Read on to learn more.

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Application Briefs
RF & Microwave Electronics

Vulcan Rocket Completes First National Security Launch for Space Force

United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan Centaur V rocket recently completed its first National Security Space Launch mission for the U.S. Space Force. Read on to learn more about it.

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Government

Europe's Reusable Rocket Prepares for First Flight

The first model of the European Space Agency’s (ESA) reusable rocket demonstrator Themis is standing at its launch pad in Kiruna, Sweden.

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Manned Systems

Can Neutrons Improve 3D-Printing of Aluminum Aerospace Components?

How can particularly light yet extremely resilient aluminum components for aerospace be manufactured using industrial 3D printing?

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Manufacturing & Prototyping

Boeing's New Approach to 3D Printing Solar Arrays for Satellites

Boeing has unveiled a 3D‑printed solar array substrate approach that compresses composite build times by up to six months on a typical solar array wing program from print to...

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Manufacturing & Prototyping

Air Force Supports Development of Large Format Metal 3D Printer Demonstrator

3D Systems will continue its development of large format metal 3D printing technology under a new $7.65 million contract awarded by the U.S. Air Force (USAF) to...

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Defense

Boeing X-37B Latest Mission Tests Quantum Inertial Sensor in Space

Boeing's X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle was launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida on a SpaceX Falcon 9 on August 22 for its eighth mission, and has been confirmed to be...

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Articles
Manned Systems

Physical Designs by Artificial Intelligence

A quick spoiler alert: Using AI still requires well-considered human input to make it all happen and it demands digital manufacturing to do it quickly.

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Articles
Materials

FibreCoat’s New Radar-Absorbing ‘Stealth’ Fiber Reinforced Composites for Spacecraft, Aircraft and Tanks

FibreCoat, the German materials startup, has developed a groundbreaking fiber reinforced composite that is capable of making aircraft, tanks and spacecraft invisible to radar surveillance. Read on to learn more about it.

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Briefs
Manned Systems

New Cryogenic Shape Memory Alloy Designed for Outer Space

A study led by Tohoku University, Iwate University, The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), National Astronomical Observation of Japan, Tokyo City University, and Kyoto University developed a novel copper-based alloy that exhibits a special shape memory effect at temperatures as low as -200 °C. Read on to learn more.

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Defense

Vulcan Rocket Completes First National Security Launch for Space Force

United Launch Alliance's (ULA) Vulcan Centaur V rocket recently completed its first National Security Space Launch (NSSL) mission for the U.S. Space Force (USSF). On...

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Test & Measurement

Next Generation Missile Warning Satellite Completes Environmental Testing

The first of a new, more capable, more survivable missile warning satellite, designed by Lockheed Martin for today’s highly contested space domain, has successfully...

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Manned Systems

German Satellite's Multispectral Camera Improves Weather Forecasting Data

The German Space Agency is planning the launch of the Metop-SGA1 satellite of the European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT)...

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Application Briefs
Aerospace

Spyder Rocket’s First Hypersonic Flight

UP Aerospace has achieved a significant milestone with the successful launch of its high-performance Spyder rocket. The maiden flight took place at Launch Complex 36, in White Sands, New Mexico, marking a new era in hypersonic mission capabilities. Read on to learn more.

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News
Materials

Lyten Says 3D Graphene Could Disrupt Racing, Automotive and Space

Lyten is best-known as the developer of next-gen lithium-sulfur (Li-S) battery technology. But new work on 3D Graphene means Lyten is branching out into motorsports with...

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Briefs
Manned Systems

New Laser Technique Revolutionizes Ultra-High Ceramic Manufacturing for Spacecraft

A new technique that leverages the concept of sintering, can be used to create ceramic coatings, tiles or complex three-dimensional structures, which allows for increased versatility when engineering new devices and technologies. Read on to learn more about it.

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RF & Microwave Electronics

Boeing to Develop New Space Force Nuclear Communications Satellites

Under a new $2.8 billion contract award, Boeing will develop the first two satellites in the Evolved Strategic Satellite Communications (SATCOM) [ESS] program for the U.S....

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RF & Microwave Electronics

Paris Air Show: New Aerospace Technologies, Updates and Research

Did you miss the product launches, partnership agreements and other updates at the 2025 Paris Air Show? Check out this recap of some of the technology highlights from the event.

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Connectivity

International Research Team to Test Quantum Satellite Communications on QUICK³

On June 23, 2025, the QUICK³ nanosatellite was launched into space from Vandenberg, California, on a carrier rocket. The satellite, which is part of a research...

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Podcasts
Aerospace

Kymeta Chief Scientist Explains Breakthrough in Multi-Band Antenna Connectivity

Kymeta Chief Scientist Ryan Stevenson is the guest on this episode of the Aerospace & Defense Technology podcast to explain their multi-band antenna connectivity breakthrough.

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Podcasts
Materials

Extreme Environments, Precise Solutions: Technologies Enabling Space Vehicles Advancement

John Mark, Space & Defense Business Manager, Omniseal Solutions, is the guest on this sponsored interview episode of the Aerospace & Defense Technology podcast to explain the role that advanced materials and sealing technologies provide in space vehicles.

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Energy

New Copper Alloy Could Provide Breakthrough in Durability for Military Systems

U.S. Army researchers, in collaboration with academic partners, invented a stronger copper that could help redefine the use of high-temperature materials in...

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Podcasts
Aerospace

Simulating Space: Designing Satellites for Mission Success

Patrick North, Principal R&D Engineer, Ansys, is the guest on this episode of the Aerospace & Defense Technology podcast to explain how simulation software optimizes the design of military satellites.

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Application Briefs
Manned Systems

Breakthrough in Long-Haul Laser Communication Capabilities

BlueHalo announced the successful milestone demonstration of its two-terminal long-haul, multi-orbit laser communication system. The achievement marks a significant breakthrough in the development of space-based laser communication technology with far-reaching implications for national security and commercial sectors. Read on to learn more.

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