FAA

The FAA classified the May 22 Starship V3 test as a mishap on May 27, after Super Heavy Booster 19 failed its boostback burn and hard-splashed in the Gulf of America, grounding the program until SpaceX's investigation is approved.

Joby flew JFK-to-Manhattan routes in seven minutes during an April 27–May 1 New York campaign, days before Wisk flew its second Gen 6 autonomous prototype.

New Glenn's third flight landed its reused booster successfully but an upper stage engine failure put AST SpaceMobile's satellite into an unusable orbit, triggering an FAA investigation and grounding.

The FAA has published bespoke airworthiness rules for ZeroAvia's ZA601 electric motor, marking the first time the agency has established a regulatory framework for hydrogen-electric aircraft propulsion.

The FAA formally withdrew its proposed 25-year upper stage disposal mandate in January 2026 after industry opposition led by SpaceX, even as startups Astroscale, Portal Space, and Paladin Space announced competing debris removal services targeting operations by 2027.

Joby Aviation began flight-testing its first FAA-conforming eVTOL in March 2026, entering the final certification phase as Archer acquires Lilium's patents and six companies prepare for live airspace trials this summer.

The DOT and FAA chose eight state-led eVTOL pilot programs covering 26 states, enabling companies like Joby, Archer, and BETA Technologies to begin passenger and cargo air taxi operations as early as summer 2026.

Aviation automation startup Skyryse raises $300M Series C at $1.15B valuation to certify SkyOS, a fly-by-wire system replacing complex mechanical controls with a single joystick and touchscreens.