Trump's NASA Budget Proposal

06/06/2017

NASA logo The Trump administration is proposing a 19 billion dollar budget for NASA in fiscal year 2018 - a less than 1% decrease from 2017 - as part of the overall 1.1 trillion dollar draft budget. The 2018 budget eliminates NASA's Office of Education which is used for engaging and educating Americans in NASA's overall mission.

The budget focuses on deep space exploration rather than Earth centric research. NASA's acting administrator said in a statement "The FY2018 proposal is a positive budget overall for NASA".

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Industry News

Second B-21 Enters Flight Test In Palmdale

<span>Second B-21 Enters Flight Test In Palmdale</span> <span><span lang="" about="/users/dan-hockensmith" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" content="hockensmithawin">hockensmithawi…</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-09-11T18:36:44+00:00" title="Thursday, September 11, 2025 - 18:36">Thu, 09/11/2025 - 18:36</time> </span> <div><p>The B-21 Raider program completed the first flight of a second airborne test aircraft in Palmdale, California on Sept. 11, clearing a key milestone a month before the 10th anniversary of the U.S. Air Force contract award to Northrop Grumman.</p><p>Witnesses posted video on social media showing the B-21 flight-test aircraft passing overhead with wheels retracted and followed by a Lockheed Martin F-16 chase plane.</p><p>“We can now expedite critical evaluations of mission systems and weapons capabilities, directly supporting the strategic deterrence and combat effectiveness envisioned for this aircraft,” Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said.</p><p>Northrop assembles all B-21s inside Building 401 on Site 4 of the Air Force’s Plant 42 complex at Palmdale Regional Airport. New test aircraft must fly out of the public airport after they have been assembled, before they can relocate to the secure area of nearby Edwards Air Force Base.</p><p>The milestone comes nearly 22 months after Northrop completed the maiden sortie of the first flight test version of the B-21 on Nov. 10, 2023.</p><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Northrop-Grumman-s-B-21-Raider-Continues-Its-Flight-Test-Campaign_hero.jpg" data-entity-uuid="33880817-817d-4466-b4f6-c16f208bd602" data-entity-type="file" alt="File photo of the first B-21 in Air Force flight testing" width="1280" height="768" loading="lazy"><p>The company has also delivered to the Air Force two more fully assembled airframes, which are reserved for static and fatigue testing on the ground. Two more flight-test aircraft have been in some stage of assembly since at least February 2022. Air Force officials say the program remains on track to clear the initial operational capability milestone in the mid-2020s.</p><p>Northrop won the $21.4 billion contract in October 2015 for the engineering and manufacturing development phase of the Long-Range Strike Bomber, which the Air Force later rechristened as the B-21 Raider. The Air Force also signed orders with Northrop for the first two-year lots of low-rate initial production.</p></div> <div> <div>Issue</div> <div> <div><a href="/aviation-week-space-technology/2025-09-15" hreflang="en">Aviation Week &amp; Space Technology, Sept. 15, 2025</a></div> <div><a href="/aerospace-daily-defense-report/2025-09-12" hreflang="en">Aerospace Daily &amp; Defense Report, September 12, 2025</a></div> </div> </div> <div> <div>Article type</div> <div>Article</div> </div> <div> <div>Primary Category</div> <div><a href="/taxonomy/term/336" hreflang="en">Aircraft &amp; Propulsion</a></div> </div> <div> <div>Author</div> <div> <div><a href="/author/steve-trimble" hreflang="en">Steve Trimble</a></div> </div> </div> <div> <div>Content source</div> <div> <div><a href="/content/aerospace-daily-defense-report" hreflang="en">Aerospace Daily &amp; Defense Report</a></div> <div><a href="/taxonomy/term/1066" hreflang="en">Aviation Week &amp; Space Technology</a></div> </div> </div> <drupal-render-placeholder callback="flag.link_builder:build" arguments="0=node&amp;1=4929321&amp;2=favorite" token="4lSN6pWJNYgvYpL_lT05WB_vOsXhWUaIoYB5fmbWCmU"></drupal-render-placeholder> <div> <div>Exclude from lists?</div> <div>No</div> </div> <div> <span class="font-weight-bold">Tags:</span> <ul class="list-inline"> <li class="list-inline-item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/156861" hreflang="en">B-21</a>,</li> <li class="list-inline-item"><a href="/term/lockheed-martin-f-16" hreflang="en">Lockheed Martin F-16</a>,</li> <li class="list-inline-item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/134001" hreflang="en">U.S. Air Force (USAF)</a>,</li> <li class="list-inline-item"><a href="/term/afa-air-space-cyber-conference-2025" hreflang="en">AFA Air, Space &amp; Cyber Conference 2025</a></li> </ul> </div> <div> <div>Gating</div> <div> <div><a href="/taxonomy/term/861" hreflang="en">AWST</a></div> <div><a href="/taxonomy/term/851" hreflang="en">AW.com</a></div> <div><a href="/taxonomy/term/35591" hreflang="en">ASD</a></div> <div><a href="/taxonomy/term/851" hreflang="en">AW.com</a></div> </div> </div> <a href="/defense/closer-look-northrop-grummans-b-21" hreflang="en">A Closer Look At Northrop Grumman&#039;s B-21</a> <a href="/defense/aircraft-propulsion/after-b-21-rollout-us-air-force-plans-embark-test-program" hreflang="en">After B-21 Rollout, U.S. Air Force Plans To Embark On Test Program</a> <a href="/defense/aircraft-propulsion/arrival-second-airworthy-b-21-inches-closer-us-air-force" hreflang="en">Arrival Of A Second Airworthy B-21 Inches Closer For U.S. Air Force</a> <div> <div>Featured Image</div> <div> <div><a href="/media/image/2315551" hreflang="en">b21awin_usairforce.jpg</a></div> </div> </div> <div> <div>Secondary Categories/Subcategories</div> <div> <div><a href="/taxonomy/term/346" hreflang="en">Defense</a></div> </div> </div> <div> <div>Is iframe in the header?</div> <div>Off</div> </div> <div> <div>Knowledge Center Featured Content</div> <div>Off</div> </div> <div> <div>Do not render ads</div> <div>Off</div> </div> <div> <div>Temporarily set to AWIN Freemium</div> <div>Off</div> </div>

Source: https://aviationweek.com/defense/aircraft-propulsion/second-b-21-enters-flight-test-palmdale

Diamond V.MO

<span>Diamond V.MO</span> <span><span lang="" about="/users/william-moore-7" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" content="william.moore">william.moore@…</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-07-02T09:55:06+00:00" title="Wednesday, July 2, 2025 - 09:55">Wed, 07/02/2025 - 09:55</time> </span> <div><p>The V.MO is a lift and cruise eVTOL aircraft being developed by Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH, a subsidiary of the Wanfeng Auto Holding Group. The aircraft design was originally developed by Volkswagen China and was transferred to Diamond following a deal between the two companies in February 2024. A subscale prototype of the V.MO first flew in 2022. The full-scale aircraft design was unveiled at the Zhuhai Airshow in November 2024. No official certification plans have been announced.</p><h2>Structure and Powertrain</h2><p>The V.MO seats a pilot and four passengers in a streamlined cabin. The aircraft features a twin-boom connected by fore and aft wings, with eight vertical lift fans distributed along the booms. The aircraft features two pusher propellers, providing propulsion during wing-borne cruise flight.<br><br>The aircraft features distributed electric propulsion (DEP), with each propeller powered by its own electric motor. This design approach provides high redundancy and reliability by eliminating critical points of failure.</p><h2>Specifications</h2><table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody><tr><td width="288">Aircraft Type</td><td width="288">Lift and Cruise eVTOL</td></tr><tr><td width="288">Seats</td><td width="288">Pilot + 4</td></tr><tr><td width="288">MTOW</td><td width="288">2,000–2,500 kg / 4,400–5,500 lb</td></tr><tr><td width="288">Range</td><td width="288">200 km / 125 miles</td></tr><tr><td width="288">Cruising Speed</td><td width="288">200 kph / 125 mph</td></tr><tr><td width="288">Propulsion</td><td width="288">10 electric motors power 10 propellers (8 lift fans and 2 pusher propellers)</td></tr><tr><td width="288">Power/Energy Storage</td><td width="288">Battery details unknown.</td></tr><tr><td width="288">Flight Controls</td><td width="288">Fly-by-wire</td></tr><tr><td width="288">Takeoff &amp; Landing</td><td width="288">VTOL</td></tr><tr><td width="288">Autonomy</td><td width="288">No</td></tr></tbody></table></div> <div> <div>Channel</div> <div>Commercial Aviation</div> </div> <div> <div>Market Indicator Code</div> <div>Commercial</div> </div> <div> <div>Program Profile ID</div> <div>471800</div> </div> <div class="slick blazy slick--field slick--field-image slick--field-image--rss unslick slick--optionset--awn slick--less" data-blazy=""> <div class="slick__dfp-ad"> <div id="js-dfp-tag-gallery" class="dfp-gallery-ad"> </div> </div> <div class="slide__content"> <div data-b-thumb="/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_thumbnail_80x80/public/2025-07/diamond_v.mo_.jpg?h=8ad2c889&amp;itok=teo3WHwF" data-b-token="b-5fbc875b625" class="media media--blazy media--slick media--bundle--image media--image is-b-loading"><img alt="Profile view of Diamond V.MO" decoding="async" class="media__element b-lazy" loading="lazy" data-src="/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2025-07/diamond_v.mo_.jpg?itok=lz7g90Eh" src="data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D&#039;http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg&#039;%20viewBox%3D&#039;0%200%2080%2080&#039;%2F%3E" width="1000" height="559" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </div> </div>

Source: https://aviationweek.com/node/4773341

Zero Gravity ZG-T6

<span>Zero Gravity ZG-T6</span> <span><span lang="" about="/users/william-moore-7" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" content="william.moore">william.moore@…</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-07-02T09:51:25+00:00" title="Wednesday, July 2, 2025 - 09:51">Wed, 07/02/2025 - 09:51</time> </span> <div><p>The ZG-T6 is a tiltrotor eVTOL concept being developed by Zero Gravity Aircraft Industry. It is designed for both passenger transport and urban air cargo missions and is set to enter into service in 2028. Certification is expected to come from the Civil Aviation Authority of China (CAAC).</p><h2>Structure and Powertrain</h2><p>The aircraft is designed to seat one pilot and five passengers inside a carbon fiber composite cabin with panoramic wrap-around windows for enhanced visibility.&nbsp; It is equipped with six tiltrotors powered by six electric motors, allowing for vertical takeoff and landing, and forward flight. The tiltrotors are positioned on the ends of the V-tail, high wing, and low forewing.</p><p>Distributed electric propulsion (DEP) is the name given to this method of powering aircraft. No critical points of failure provide a high level of redundancy and will ensure safety onboard.</p><h2>Specifications</h2><table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody><tr><td width="288">Aircraft Type</td><td width="288">Tiltrotor eVTOL</td></tr><tr><td width="288">Seats</td><td width="288">Pilot + 5 passengers</td></tr><tr><td width="288">MTOW</td><td width="288">2,500 kg (5,512 lb) (Estimated)</td></tr><tr><td width="288">Range</td><td width="288">300 km (186 miles) (Estimated)</td></tr><tr><td width="288">Cruising Speed</td><td width="288">250 kph (155 mph) (Estimated)</td></tr><tr><td width="288">Flight Time</td><td width="288">90 minutes (Estimated)</td></tr><tr><td width="288">Landing Gear</td><td width="288">Fixed tricycle wheeled landing gear</td></tr><tr><td width="288">Propulsion</td><td width="288">6 tilt-propellers powered by 6 electric motors</td></tr><tr><td width="288">Power/Energy Storage</td><td width="288">Batteries – details unknown</td></tr><tr><td width="288">Flight Controls</td><td width="288">Fly-by-wire</td></tr><tr><td width="288">Takeoff &amp; Landing</td><td width="288">VTOL</td></tr><tr><td width="288">Autonomy</td><td width="288">Planned for future operations</td></tr><tr><td width="288">Safety</td><td width="288">Emergency ballistic parachute</td></tr></tbody></table></div> <div> <div>Channel</div> <div>Commercial Aviation</div> </div> <div> <div>Market Indicator Code</div> <div>Commercial</div> </div> <div> <div>Program Profile ID</div> <div>471802</div> </div> <div class="slick blazy slick--field slick--field-image slick--field-image--rss unslick slick--optionset--awn slick--less" data-blazy=""> <div class="slick__dfp-ad"> <div id="js-dfp-tag-gallery" class="dfp-gallery-ad"> </div> </div> <div class="slide__content"> <div data-b-thumb="/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_thumbnail_80x80/public/2025-07/zg-t6.jpg?h=ab18510c&amp;itok=8z-Oa97_" data-b-token="b-147ef1e5920" class="media media--blazy media--slick media--bundle--image media--image is-b-loading"><img alt="Above view of ZG-T6" decoding="async" class="media__element b-lazy" loading="lazy" data-src="/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2025-07/zg-t6.jpg?itok=185CUwLo" src="data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D&#039;http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg&#039;%20viewBox%3D&#039;0%200%2080%2080&#039;%2F%3E" width="1040" height="663" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </div> </div>

Source: https://aviationweek.com/node/4773331

Zero Gravity ZG-ONE

<span>Zero Gravity ZG-ONE</span> <span><span lang="" about="/users/william-moore-7" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" content="william.moore">william.moore@…</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-07-02T09:43:50+00:00" title="Wednesday, July 2, 2025 - 09:43">Wed, 07/02/2025 - 09:43</time> </span> <div><p>The ZG-ONE is a multicopter eVTOL being developed by Zero Gravity Aircraft Industry. The prototype completed over 100 successful test flights by September 2023, and the first production model was assembled in October 2023. As of February 2024, a second aircraft had been built and tested. In November 2024, the company unveiled a new version of the aircraft featuring changes to the fuselage and an expanded propeller array. The ZG-ONE is set to enter into service in 2026, with certification to come from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).</p><h2>Structure and Powertrain</h2><p>The ZG-ONE features a multicopter design with 12 fans providing both lift and propulsion. All fans are mounted to an array fixed above the carbon fiber composite cabin. The small, sphere-like cabin offers panoramic viewing windows for the two passengers it holds.</p><p>All 12 fans are assumed to be powered by their own individual electric motor (Distributed Electric Propulsion). No critical points of failure provide a high level of redundancy and will ensure safety onboard.</p><h2>Specifications</h2><table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody><tr><td width="288">Aircraft Type</td><td width="288">Multicopter eVTOL</td></tr><tr><td width="288">Seats</td><td width="288">2</td></tr><tr><td width="288">Landing Gear</td><td width="288">Skids</td></tr><tr><td width="288">Propulsion</td><td width="288">12 electric motors power 12 lift fans</td></tr><tr><td width="288">Power/Energy Storage</td><td width="288">Battery details unknown</td></tr><tr><td width="288">Flight Controls</td><td width="288">Fly-by-wire</td></tr><tr><td width="288">Takeoff &amp; Landing</td><td width="288">VTOL</td></tr><tr><td width="288">Autonomy</td><td width="288">Planned</td></tr><tr><td width="288">Safety</td><td width="288">Emergency ballistic parachute</td></tr></tbody></table></div> <div> <div>Channel</div> <div>Commercial Aviation</div> </div> <div> <div>Market Indicator Code</div> <div>Commercial</div> </div> <div> <div>Program Profile ID</div> <div>471801</div> </div> <div class="slick blazy slick--field slick--field-image slick--field-image--rss unslick slick--optionset--awn slick--less" data-blazy=""> <div class="slick__dfp-ad"> <div id="js-dfp-tag-gallery" class="dfp-gallery-ad"> </div> </div> <div class="slide__content"> <div data-b-thumb="/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_thumbnail_80x80/public/2025-07/zg-one.jpg?h=44faf436&amp;itok=iCsCK8QB" data-b-token="b-2c8e32df297" class="media media--blazy media--slick media--bundle--image media--image is-b-loading"><img alt="Rear view of ZG-ONE in flight" decoding="async" class="media__element b-lazy" loading="lazy" data-src="/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2025-07/zg-one.jpg?itok=pHOl7ytI" src="data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D&#039;http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg&#039;%20viewBox%3D&#039;0%200%2080%2080&#039;%2F%3E" width="290" height="174" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </div> </div>

Source: https://aviationweek.com/node/4773326

Vertaxi Matrix 1

<span>Vertaxi Matrix 1</span> <span><span lang="" about="/users/william-moore-7" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" content="william.moore">william.moore@…</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-07-02T09:36:26+00:00" title="Wednesday, July 2, 2025 - 09:36">Wed, 07/02/2025 - 09:36</time> </span> <div><p>The Matrix 1 (M1) is a passenger and cargo eVTOL aircraft developed by Vertaxi (Yufeng Future Flight Technology (Guangdong) Co., Ltd.), a Chinese startup based in Guangdong. The M1 completed its maiden flight in October 2023. Vertaxi plans to begin with uncrewed cargo deliveries, with passenger services anticipated as the technology matures. Entry into service is planned for 2025 with certification coming from the Civil Aviation Authority of China (CAAC).</p><h2>Structure and Powertrain</h2><p>The M1 features a high-wing design with a wingspan of 15 meters and a variation of a V-tail. It is equipped with 16 vertical lift propellers and 4 tractor propellers for forward flight, all powered by electric motors. The aircraft is constructed using carbon fiber composite materials and has panoramic windows.</p><p>Distributed electric propulsion (DEP) is the name given to this method of powering aircraft. No critical points of failure provide a high level of redundancy and will ensure safety onboard.</p><h2>Specifications</h2><table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody><tr><td width="288">Aircraft Type</td><td width="288">Lift + Cruise eVTOL</td></tr><tr><td width="288">Seats</td><td width="288">5 passengers</td></tr><tr><td width="288">MTOW</td><td width="288">2,000 kg (4,409 lbs)</td></tr><tr><td width="288">Payload</td><td width="288">500 kg (1,102 lbs)</td></tr><tr><td width="288">Range</td><td width="288">250 km (155 miles)</td></tr><tr><td width="288">Cruising Speed</td><td width="288">200 kph (123 mph)</td></tr><tr><td width="288">Wingspan</td><td width="288">15 m / 49 ft 2.5 in</td></tr><tr><td width="288">Landing Gear</td><td width="288">Fixed landing struts</td></tr><tr><td width="288">Propulsion</td><td width="288">16 VTOL propellers and 4 tractor propellers powered by electric motors</td></tr><tr><td width="288">Power/Energy Storage</td><td width="288">Batteries – details unknown</td></tr><tr><td width="288">Flight Controls</td><td width="288">Fly-by-wire</td></tr><tr><td width="288">Takeoff &amp; Landing</td><td width="288">VTOL</td></tr><tr><td width="288">Autonomy</td><td width="288">Yes</td></tr></tbody></table></div> <div> <div>Channel</div> <div>Commercial Aviation</div> </div> <div> <div>Market Indicator Code</div> <div>Commercial</div> </div> <div> <div>Program Profile ID</div> <div>471799</div> </div> <div class="slick blazy slick--field slick--field-image slick--field-image--rss unslick slick--optionset--awn slick--less" data-blazy=""> <div class="slick__dfp-ad"> <div id="js-dfp-tag-gallery" class="dfp-gallery-ad"> </div> </div> <div class="slide__content"> <div data-b-thumb="/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_thumbnail_80x80/public/2025-07/matrix_1.png?h=47cb944b&amp;itok=2SrZipED" data-b-token="b-db2b4424b6f" class="media media--blazy media--slick media--bundle--image media--image is-b-loading"><img alt="Profile view of Matrix 1" decoding="async" class="media__element b-lazy" loading="lazy" data-src="/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2025-07/matrix_1.png?itok=QJslDA5N" src="data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D&#039;http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg&#039;%20viewBox%3D&#039;0%200%2080%2080&#039;%2F%3E" width="1205" height="507" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </div> </div>

Source: https://aviationweek.com/node/4773321

Mid-air transformation helps flying, rolling robot to transition smoothly

Engineers have developed a real-life Transformer that has the 'brains' to morph in midair, allowing the drone-like robot to smoothly roll away and begin its ground operations without pause. The increased agility and robustness of such robots could be particularly useful for commercial delivery systems and robotic explorers.

Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250528150829.htm

Holiday flights could carry fewer passengers as world warms

By the 2060s, some airports with shorter runways may need to reduce their maximum take-off weight by the equivalent of approximately 10 passengers per flight during summer months.

Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250416135619.htm

These electronics-free robots can walk right off the 3D-printer

This a robot can walk, without electronics, and only with the addition of a cartridge of compressed gas, right off the 3D-printer. It can also be printed in one go, from one material.

Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250325115131.htm

Rapid response to address critical aging aircraft issue

Scientists worked to ensure fleet safety after a large crack was unexpectedly found near the cockpit of a T-38 Talon. A new study describes how risk and damage tolerance analyses helped determine a more effective inspection schedule, allowing the Air Force to find cracks before they grow to critical size.

Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250318141134.htm

Student refines 100-year-old math problem, expanding wind energy possibilities

An engineering student refined a century-old math problem into a simpler, more elegant form, making it easier to use and explore. Divya Tyagi's work expands research in aerodynamics, unlocking new possibilities in wind turbine design that Hermann Glauert, a British aerodynamicist and the original author, did not consider.

Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250226175933.htm