Spirit Airlines is exploring a path forward, including a merger or sale, as it seeks to conserve cash and stabilize its business following two Chapter 11 bankruptcy filings in less than a year. The airline is in talks with alternative investment firm Castlelake over a potential takeover, according to CNBC.
The US Space Force is working to rebuild its contracting workforce following significant civilian reductions and Pentagon reforms. This effort may be driven by the need for a more robust acquisition arm to support the Space Force's expansion plans, according to Breaking Defense reports.
Blue Origin plans to reuse a New Glenn booster on the rocket's next launch, marking the first time the company will attempt this feat. According to SpaceNews, the reusable booster will carry a satellite for AST SpaceMobile.
China's Shenzhou-20 spacecraft, damaged by debris impact during its mission, successfully returned to Earth after on-orbit repairs. According to SpaceNews reports, the incident marked China's first human spaceflight emergency.
The House has approved a $838.7 billion fiscal 2026 defense spending bill, paving the way for final passage through the Senate next week. The compromise bill includes $8.
Open Cosmos has activated Ka-band spectrum filings, deploying two satellites to meet deployment deadlines for sovereign and enterprise broadband. This move comes after Liechtenstein reassigned the frequencies from Rivada, according to SpaceNews reports.
The Department of Defense has announced plans to make roughly 400 carefully picked patents available online for a free two-year trial period, as part of its efforts to boost innovation and collaboration with industry. The initiative is part of the Pentagon's top six Critical Technology Areas, and will be implemented using a longstanding public-private partnership called TechLink and an interagency database called iEdison.
The Federal Aviation Administration has issued a nationwide security notice creating a moving drone no-fly zone around Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, citing national defense airspace and federal security statutes. The restriction applies continuously, prohibiting unmanned aircraft systems from operating within 3,000 feet laterally and 1,000 feet vertically of DHS facilities and mobile assets.
Blue Origin successfully launched its first New Shepard mission of 2026, carrying five paying customers and one employee on board after a last-minute change in the crew list. According to SpaceNews, this marks an important milestone for Jeff Bezos' space venture, which continues to push the boundaries of commercial spaceflight.
UMEX 2026 closed with three new deals allocated to local UAE defense companies, valued at roughly AED 1.26 billion ($342 million). EDGE Group signed two contracts, including the development of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) with jet engines and the purchase of the Tracked RCV & THEMIS system.
The US Space Force is expanding its capabilities to address growing concerns about satellite targets. According to Gen.
Airline pilot hiring shows signs of renewed momentum heading into 2026, according to data from ATP and Aero Crew Solutions. Major airlines such as American Airlines and United Airlines ramped hiring to maximum capacity late in 2025, with plans to continue into 2026.
Barzan Holdings showcased its new business strategy and unveiled agreements with Qatari armed forces valued at $3.3 billion, as well as partnerships with international firms like Aeralis and Turkish shipyard TAIS. CEO Omar Al Qadi emphasized the company's focus on local investments and exports, while also highlighting its commitment to innovation and collaboration.
Rocket Lab successfully launched the first satellites for Open Cosmos, a new constellation being developed by the company. According to SpaceNews, the launch utilizes spectrum previously assigned to Rivada Space Networks.
The Army is nearing the release of a request for prototype proposals (RFPP) for its Common Autonomous Multi-Domain Launcher (CAML) program. The initiative aims to bring together nontraditional vendors and adopt a 'teams of teams' approach, which has already been successful in other programs.
Breaking Defense reports that the US is seeking European allies in a potential conflict over Taiwan. The initiative draws on lessons from Ukraine and leverages European military capabilities.
L3Harris Technologies has been awarded a contract by Korean aerospace manufacturer to provide primary imagery for the country's next-generation geostationary weather satellite. The agreement was announced in California, and L3Harris will deliver the imaging services as part of the project.
The US Air Force has accepted a donated 747 jetliner from Qatar to serve as an interim Air Force One, amid delays for Boeing-modified jets. The aircraft was accepted in May and modifications began in September.
Dassault Aviation has published 'Marcel Bloch Aircraft - Volume 3: Fighters and Other Developments', a new book by Philippe Ricco that explores the early fighter development of Marcel Bloch. The book covers the first Bloch fighter aircraft and their prototypes, as well as Marcel Bloch's experiences during World War II, including his imprisonment and subsequent return to the aviation industry.
Congress has unveiled a $839 billion bipartisan defense spending package for fiscal 2026, Breaking Defense reports. The proposal includes funding for Army helicopter training programs and satellite upgrades, as well as other initiatives.