Jumpseat Aerospace News

Jumpseat Aerospace News

Germany Orders More Meteor Beyond-Visual-Range Air-to-Air Missiles

Jan 23, 2026 • 1 min

Germany has ordered more Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles from MBDA, continuing the six-nation European program's development. This contract was placed through the Meteor Integrated Joint Programme Office on behalf of Germany's Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support.

Meteor Air-to-Air Missile

Launch Operators Key to Galvanizing European Spaceports

Jan 23, 2026 • 1 min

Europe is poised to launch its first satellite from the mainland, thanks to the efforts of launch operators who are crucial to the success of spaceports like SaxaVord and Andøya. According to SpaceNews, these operators will play a key role in galvanizing the European space industry, which has long relied on the Guiana Space Centre in South America for its launch needs.

Europe Spaceports

House Appropriator Sees Room for Improvement in NASA Funding

Jan 23, 2026 • 1 min

With the fiscal year 2026 appropriations process complete, a key House appropriator expressed concerns about the adequacy of NASA's funding for 2027. The appropriator believes there is 'room for improvement' in the agency's budget and hopes to see enhancements in the next spending bill.

NASA Funding

Korean Air Bans Power Banks on Flights Amid Safety Concerns

Jan 23, 2026 • 1 min

Korean Air, along with four other airlines owned by Hanjin Group, has announced a ban on in-flight use of power banks starting January 26, 2026, as part of enhanced safety measures. The policy aims to prevent short circuits and fire hazards, with passengers allowed to carry power banks but not charge devices during flight.

Korean Air Power Bank Ban

MBDA Signs First French Contract for One Way Effector Long-Range Strike Drone

Jan 23, 2026 • 1 min

France's DGA has awarded MBDA its first contract for the One Way Effector (OWE), a sovereign long-range strike munition designed to overwhelm enemy air defenses. The OWE is positioned as a 'mass plus range' option, situated between high-end cruise missiles and less expensive loitering munitions.

MBDA One Way Effector

Inflight Connectivity Firm Partners with Satellite Operator and Avionics Provider

Jan 23, 2026 • 1 min

AeroTime reports that Immfly, in partnership with satellite operator Eutelsat's OneWeb and avionics provider Gogo, aims to offer high-speed broadband connectivity through LEO satellites. The deal is targeted at the low-cost and ultra-low-cost airline market.

Inflight Connectivity LEO Satellites

Air Europa and Airbus Finalize Dubai Airshow MoU for 40 A350-900s

Jan 23, 2026 • 1 min

Air Europa and Airbus have finalized a Memorandum of Understanding for 40 A350-900s at Fitur in Madrid. The agreement is expected to accelerate the replacement of older widebodies and strengthen Air Europa's position on transatlantic routes.

Air Europa A350

Spirit in Talks with Investment Firm Castlelake Over Potential Takeover

Jan 23, 2026 • 1 min

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.

Spirit Airlines Castlelake

Space Force's Acquisition Arm Races to Rebuild Contracting Workforce

Jan 23, 2026 • 1 min

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.

Space Force Acquisition

Blue Origin Reuses New Glenn Booster

Jan 22, 2026 • 1 min

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.

Blue Origin New Glenn

China's Damaged Spacecraft Survives Reentry

Jan 22, 2026 • 1 min

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.

China Spacecraft

House Passes $839B Defense Spending Bill

Jan 22, 2026 • 1 min

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.

Defense Spending Budget

Open Cosmos Advances Broadband Plans with Spectrum

Jan 22, 2026 • 1 min

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.

Open Cosmos Ka-Band

Pentagon Offers Industry Free Use of 400 Patents

Jan 22, 2026 • 1 min

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.

Pentagon Patents

FAA Instates Nationwide Drone No-Fly Zones Around ICE Operations

Jan 22, 2026 • 1 min

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.

FAA Drone No-Fly Zone