Artemis 1 returns, 500 new Air India jets, new Spirit pay - Dec 12
Artemis 1 spacecraft returns to Earth
NASA's unpiloted Artemis 1 splashed down in the Pacific Ocean yesterday, following a 25-day test fight to the moon and back. A recovery team comprised of NASA and the US Navy witnessed the splashdown before performing inspections of the capsule and towed it into a deck of the USS Portland. From there, the craft will return to the Kennedy Space Center, with a stop at Naval Base San Diego on the way.
Tests evaluating re-entry and splashdown were the primary goal for the Artemis 1 test flight. Specifically, NASA sought to confirm the functionality of the space vehicle's heat shield and parachutes.
If all goes to plan, the next Artemis flight will take place in 2024, and will be the first manned flight to the moon since 1972.
Air India to purchase 500 new jets
Air India appears set to purchase 500 new jet aircraft, potentially costing more than $100 billion. The jets will come from both Airbus and Boeing ($BA), according to industry sources. This comes about a year following Air India's acquisition by Tata Group in January, and days after Tata announced Air India's merger with Vistara, which will also add another 218 aircraft to Air India's fleet.
The orders are expected to include about 400 narrow-body jets and 100 or more wide-body jets, which will likely include Boeing 777 and 787s, along with Airbus A350s. Around 150 are expected to be 737 MAX airframes from Boeing.
Together with the Vistara merger, these purchases will further cement Air India's position as the largest Indian international carrier and second largest domestic carrier, after IndiGo.
Spirit Airlines pilots to receive large raises in new contract
Spirit Airlines' ($SAVE) pilot union (ALPA) announced that the airline is offering up to 43% cumulative weighted average pay raises to pilots over the next two years as part of the company's new pilot contract. If ratified, the two-year agreement will begin on Jan 1.
Collins Aerospace to deliver new spacesuits for International Space Station Missions
Collins Aerospace, owned by Raytheon Technologies ($RTX) , as well as partners ILC Dover and Oceaneering, were awarded a new contract for next-generation space suits for NASA missions to the International Space Station.
Belgium to increases taxes on private jets and short-haul flights
Belgium announced additional taxes to be placed on private jets, short-haul flights, and older/noisier aircraft in an attempt to reduce noise and air pollution.
Croatia to purchase French Mistral air defence system for 72 million euro
Following Croatia's commitment last year to purchase 12 French Dassault Rafale fighter jets for 999 million euros, the country has now agreed to purchase the French-produced Mistral air defence system for 72 million euros. This all comes in an effort by the NATO member to modernize its air force, which still relies on much Soviet-produced, Cold War-era military technology.