Gordon Vaughan

Aerospace engineer, researcher & entrepreneur. Aviation, space & astronomy here. Main: @aeroG. Also @FortBendHouston, @DesignTweets.

[Tyler Rogoway @Aviation_Intel]

Boeing Drops Out Of Navy’s T-45 Jet Trainer Replacement Competition

The field of competitors to design and build the Navy's next jet trainer has narrowed to just two teams, and both are putting forward twin-engine designs.

https://t.co/jnwKP5Cgnz

[Ken Kirtland IV @KenKirtland17]

@ApoStructura 5 minutes later he says "there are only 25 satellites launched a year every year and thats not going to change." The SpaceX person on the panel said "thats true if you're looking out of the rearview".

SpaceX launched 53 satellits in the last 24 hours

[Marty Hogan @marty_hogan]

OK... take my money

[Tyler Rogoway @Aviation_Intel]

Four U-2S Spy Planes Would Be Restored In Bill That Would Save The Dragon Lady Fleet

Congress is moving again to block the Air Force from retiring the U-2 amid continued questions about capability gaps.
https://t.co/gYJxoyT3JZ

[Tyler Rogoway @Aviation_Intel]

F-22’s ‘Catfish’ 757 Testbed Spotted Carrying Raptor’s New Infrared Sensor Pod

The Catfish 757 has spent decades supporting the F-22 program, and that work now extends to testing external stores.

https://t.co/xrHVrVNe55

[SpaceX @SpaceX]

Liftoff! First $SPCX trade complete 🚀

[Tyler Rogoway @Aviation_Intel]

Boeing “Encouraged” By C-17 Production Restart Discussions

Congress recently asked the USAF for a briefing on the feasibility of buying new C-17s amid major strain on the existing fleet.

https://t.co/1FKJBI4kMM

[Gene J. Mikulka @genejm29]

Rocket Integration Complete for Katalyst-NASA Swift Boost https://t.co/a2EeoL4xW3 via @NASA

[Aviation Week @AviationWeek]

Eight leading German defense and aerospace companies are urging their government to decide on the path forward for a future combat aircraft before year’s end.

https://t.co/I6oMYwunj9

#ILA2026

[Aviation Week @AviationWeek]

Sponsored: @RTX_News

RTX's Pratt & Whitney Canada business is developing a new hybrid-electric propulsion technology designed to transform regional air travel.

https://t.co/R30JQfziyk

#ILABerlin #ILA2026

[Skyroot Aerospace @SkyrootA]

The first pictures from the spaceport of India’s first privately built orbital rocket.

For those following closely: Vikram-1's Stage 2, Kalam-250, is now fully integrated inside SHAR, Sriharikota. Flex nozzle, actuators, and Interstages 1_2L & 1_2U mounted and assembled. Our first complete integration. Final assembly of remaining components and stages is underway—we're steadily progressing toward launch.

#Vikram1 #SkyrootAerospace

[Jack Kuhr @JackKuhr]

Just 2 years ago.

Published this at Rocket Lab’s lowest moment (sub $2B market cap). Incredible how underpriced the entire sector was back then.

[ben moores @benmoores2]

@Thomas977673521 Typhoon life extension and F-35, and a long range strike weapon.

[Thomas Embleton 421a @Thomas977673521]

@benmoores2 So what's this jet that's going to be working with unmanned assets if we dump gcap

[Andrew Matthews @LostinAylesbury]

The switch from air combat to long range bomber makes zero sense to me. The Ukrainians have shown that long range strikes can be made with cheap cruise missiles and drones. But you cannot maintain air superiority against an enemy with technical parity with drones. Fighter jets will still be needed and in substantial numbers.

Which is why the US Air Force is buying new F-15s

[Shashank Joshi @shashj]

Ben was procurement advisor to multiple defence secretaries until January. Worth noting his point about GCAP. Counter-argument would be that giving up on GCAP would be a huge bet on uncrewed tech, have a big impact on aerospace skills & would involve a major rupture with Japan.

[Niall Anderson @INiallAnderson]

Gwynne Shotwell is anticipating SpaceX's 13th Starship Flight could happen some time in July with monthly flights thereafter with Flight 14 hopefully being their first attempt at full orbit! 🔥
📸: @CNBC

[EricTheCat 🇺🇸 @EricTheSpaceCat]

Red sprites from last night.
Last night was crazy. I captured over 60 individual sprite events.
Captured from southern Minnesota looking toward the storm over Missouri / Illinois.

[Takae in Space🚀✨🌍🔭 @TS86142]

“Today marks another major milestone for Japan’s space program. H3 Rocket No. 6, the first H3-30 configuration, successfully completed its mission.

The H3 rocket is a cornerstone of Japan’s independent access to space and a key element of our international competitiveness. Following the H3-8 anomaly last December, engineers and teams across the country worked diligently to identify the root cause and strengthen the vehicle. Today’s success reflects those efforts.

This mission was particularly significant because it was the first flight of the H3-30 configuration, which launches without solid rocket boosters and relies solely on its three LE-9 liquid-fueled engines. With this achievement, all planned H3 configurations have now been successfully demonstrated.

The expanded H3 lineup will allow Japan to meet a broader range of launch needs while enhancing the competitiveness of our space industry. We look forward to seeing H3 play an even greater role in supporting both domestic and international missions.

As Minister of State for Space Policy, I remain committed to advancing Japan’s space development and utilization efforts.”