The X-37B spaceplane has executed fully autonomous runway landings from orbital velocity across seven missions, building the most demanding autonomous landing dataset in aerospace history.
VectorNASA's LOFTID test flew a folding, inflatable heat shield to orbital reentry speed - a drag device that could one day land heavy cargo on Mars.
VectorHow Stratolaunch's giant Roc aircraft and reusable Talon-A vehicle revived air-launch to close America's hypersonic testing gap.
VectorReaction Engines' SABRE engine solved the core thermodynamic barrier to air-breathing orbital flight - and the proof survived the company that built it.
VectorThe North American X-15 set a crewed aircraft speed record of Mach 6.72 in 1967 that still stands, and flew thirteen missions above the recognized boundary of space.
VectorThales completed live firings of its X-Fire launcher in France's FLP-T ground-based long-range strike competition, signaling a shift in European defense priorities.
TowerRussia flew a sixth-gen demonstrator first but sanctions and industrial gaps may leave it a decade behind the US, UK, Japan, and allies.
TowerBoom Supersonic's XB-1 demonstrator is deep into supersonic flight testing at Mojave, generating real data for the Overture airliner program.
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