Gordon Vaughan

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

[Science girl @sciencegirl]

Look west after sunset tonight to catch a mini planetary parade.

On June 12, Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter will appear together low in the western sky shortly after sunset, forming one of the most accessible planetary alignments of 2026.

All three can be seen with the naked eye. Venus will be the brightest and easiest to spot, glowing strongly in the twilight. Jupiter will also stand out as a bright point nearby, while Mercury will sit much closer to the horizon, making it the hardest to find.

The ideal viewing window is around 30 to 60 minutes after sunset, when the sky is still bright but the planets are visible.

No telescope is needed just a clear, unobstructed view of the western horizon should be enough to see the lineup.

Although they look close together in the sky, the planets are actually extremely far apart in space. Their alignment is only an optical effect caused by all planets orbiting the Sun in roughly the same flat plane.

The display continues beyond tonight. In the days that follow, the arrangement shifts, and around June 16–17, a thin crescent Moon joins the scene, making the sky even more striking.

Mercury also reaches one of its best viewing positions around mid-June, giving a rare chance to spot the usually elusive planet.

If skies are clear, step outside after sunset and look low to the west you’ll see three worlds briefly sharing the evening sky.

[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.